Earth Day 2021
By: Chris Pianta
On April 22nd, people around the world celebrated Earth Day. This year’s official Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth.” Earthday.org had lots of great suggestions for events and activities that you can participate in as an individual or group to help protect our planet.
At the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), we believe every day is Earth Day, so we work year-round to be good stewards of our environment by protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee’s natural resources. To highlight our efforts, our department shared a series of videos that detailed some of the programs that our various divisions manage. The videos are posted on TDEC’s social media pages and web pages and include tips that all Tennesseans can follow to help restore our Earth.
Tennessee State Parks also created videos that highlight the various “Go Green With Us” sustainability efforts they have implemented that enhance guest experiences while visiting our parks. These videos also include tips guests can do to help Go Green With Us while visiting TN State Parks.
Remember, we only have one planet, so let’s celebrate Earth Day by doing our part so together we can help Restore Our Earth!
International Dark Sky Week (April 5 - 12)
Dark Sky Week raised awareness about the issue of light pollution and its far-reaching consequences, which can be harmful to all living things. Dark Sky compliant outdoor lighting fixtures reduce light pollution impacts, which include disrupting wildlife, affecting human health, wasting money and energy, and blocking the view of our universe. It is estimated that 83% of the global population lives under a light-polluted sky.
At Picket CCC Memorial State Park in Jamestown, Tennessee, the stars seem to shine a little brighter at night. In 2015, the park converted all of its exterior lighting to Dark Sky compliant lighting and earned a Silver-tier International Dark Sky Park designation. It became the first state park in the Southeast to gain this prestigious recognition. Visitors can enjoy sweeping, rich views of the night sky similar to those found in many of the Western states.
Waste Management Corner
Did you know that Earth Day originated in the United States in 1970, and became recognized worldwide by 1990? Since then, every year on April 22nd, men, women, and children have come together to plant trees, clean up litter, and perform other environmental activities with the goal of planning for a better future for our planet.
As the world is slowly opening back up, many of us are noticing an increase in litter along streets and sidewalks. One simple activity that you can do that can have a major impact is conducting your own little cleanup. Grab some grocery bags and gloves for safety, put on your shoes and go outside to pick up trash.
Have fun! If you can, involve your friends, family, or neighbors from a distance and with masks. Do your part to make this world a better place for generations to come!
Check out Tennessee Green at: https://www.facebook.com/TNSustainability/ and https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/opsp-policy-and-sustainable-practices.html to get more ideas on what you can do to Restore Our Earth.
By: Chris Pianta
On April 22nd, people around the world celebrated Earth Day. This year’s official Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth.” Earthday.org had lots of great suggestions for events and activities that you can participate in as an individual or group to help protect our planet.
At the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), we believe every day is Earth Day, so we work year-round to be good stewards of our environment by protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee’s natural resources. To highlight our efforts, our department shared a series of videos that detailed some of the programs that our various divisions manage. The videos are posted on TDEC’s social media pages and web pages and include tips that all Tennesseans can follow to help restore our Earth.
Tennessee State Parks also created videos that highlight the various “Go Green With Us” sustainability efforts they have implemented that enhance guest experiences while visiting our parks. These videos also include tips guests can do to help Go Green With Us while visiting TN State Parks.
Remember, we only have one planet, so let’s celebrate Earth Day by doing our part so together we can help Restore Our Earth!
International Dark Sky Week (April 5 - 12)
Dark Sky Week raised awareness about the issue of light pollution and its far-reaching consequences, which can be harmful to all living things. Dark Sky compliant outdoor lighting fixtures reduce light pollution impacts, which include disrupting wildlife, affecting human health, wasting money and energy, and blocking the view of our universe. It is estimated that 83% of the global population lives under a light-polluted sky.
At Picket CCC Memorial State Park in Jamestown, Tennessee, the stars seem to shine a little brighter at night. In 2015, the park converted all of its exterior lighting to Dark Sky compliant lighting and earned a Silver-tier International Dark Sky Park designation. It became the first state park in the Southeast to gain this prestigious recognition. Visitors can enjoy sweeping, rich views of the night sky similar to those found in many of the Western states.
Waste Management Corner
Did you know that Earth Day originated in the United States in 1970, and became recognized worldwide by 1990? Since then, every year on April 22nd, men, women, and children have come together to plant trees, clean up litter, and perform other environmental activities with the goal of planning for a better future for our planet.
As the world is slowly opening back up, many of us are noticing an increase in litter along streets and sidewalks. One simple activity that you can do that can have a major impact is conducting your own little cleanup. Grab some grocery bags and gloves for safety, put on your shoes and go outside to pick up trash.
Have fun! If you can, involve your friends, family, or neighbors from a distance and with masks. Do your part to make this world a better place for generations to come!
Check out Tennessee Green at: https://www.facebook.com/TNSustainability/ and https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/opsp-policy-and-sustainable-practices.html to get more ideas on what you can do to Restore Our Earth.
