Do your part for Mother Earth

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, when we celebrate and educate ourselves about environmental issues and how to ensure a healthy planet for generations to come.

A lot has changed in the four decades since that first Earth Day, when millions of Americans turned out to raise awareness about environmental issues and a nationwide movement was born.

Since then, the April 22 event has spread to 190 countries. That's fitting. Many issues we face are global concerns - climate change, clean water, preserving the planet's biodiversity, sustainable development and more.

But that initial groundswell of support for varied but interrelated issues holds a lesson for us yet today.

Complex, sometimes contentious, environmental concerns can seem far out of our individual reach. But there are plenty of opportunities for citizens to mitigate our negative impact on the environment and conserve resources in our daily lives.

President Barack Obama has challenged Americans to consider this April 22 an Earth Day of Service - volunteering to pick up trash, plant trees, help with waterway cleanups or otherwise make small improvements to our local environment.

The president also is encouraging citizens to commit to five simple changes to help reduce their negative environmental impact.

It could be a change as simple as switching to cloth grocery bags or compact fluorescent light bulbs. Or it could be something more involved - like leaving the car at home to commute by public transportation or bicycle.

You could join Indian Creek Nature Center's Million Gallon Challenge and install a rain barrel under your home's downspout.

Decreasing storm water runoff decreases our risk of flooding and helps prevent pollutants from flowing directly into our waterways. Organizers say 1,000 new rain barrels would keep about 1 million gallons of rainwater from area streams during an average season. An added benefit: You can use the rainwater you collect to irrigate your plants. Find out more at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.

org

Earth Day is also a good time to celebrate the positive changes we've made in this country and our communities.

Corridor Earth Project Earth Day Celebration will include a number of fun, educational events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Events include the CRecycle Eco-Arts Fest and recycled costume ball. More information and a list of events are at http://www.corridorearthproject.com

This Earth Day, there's a lot to celebrate and a lot left to do.

The fact is, we all could stand to be more aware and responsible about our use of energy and resources. This is the week to make or renew that pledge - and have a little fun, to boot.