Today is the 40th Annual Earth Day. Founded in 1970 by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconson, the goal of Earth Day is to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

The White House released this video on their Earth Day page:

Around Iowa, some great things are being done to celebrate this little spinning ball of rock we call home.

Celebrating green
From The Daily Iowan
Over the past four decades, April has become the “greenest” month of the year.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and the entire month has seen its share of environmentally conscious activities all around campus. From sorting waste to planting trees, some are making a great effort to give the University of Iowa its own eco-friendly face-lift.

The Pentacrest will be the site of yet another popular activity in sustainability. A Bike to Class/Work event will be held from 1-4 p.m. today, coordinated by the UI Environmental Coalition and Engineers for a Sustainable World. Read full article…

Carroll Middle School Students clean up roadways
From 1380 KCIM-AM
Two groups of Carroll 6th grade students will be participating for the 8th year in the Adopt a Highway Program. Mrs. Renee Friedrichsen, who’s taught at the middle school for 11 years, says the kids have adopted a highway right out in front of the school. Students will break into the two groups with one group working right in front of the school and the other group working near the little league complex and around the sidewalk. The program is in conjunction with Earth Day. The group in front of the school will begin around 2:45 with the 2nd group beginning around 3:10.

EARTH DAY: Farmer continually works to make his land sustainable
From The Daily Nonpareil

Environmentalists can come in many forms: The hemp-wearing protestor; the rugged iconoclast, living off the land; the urbanite that recycles, eats local and drives a Prius.

For Brad Pellett, it’s the farmer who lives on his land and depends on its resources for his way of life.

On Earth Day, like any other day, Pellet will hit the open air of his land, situated north of Atlantic in Cass County, surrounded by corn and soybean fields, in addition to cows grazing. It’s what he has done daily since 1994. Read full article…