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DEP LAUNCHES EARTH DAY WEBSITE
![[Earth Day 2001]](../../art/earthday.gif) Looking
for a fun way to celebrate Earth Day this year? Check out the list of
planned activities at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s
(DEP) new Earth Day web site.
Family festivals, beach clean-ups, boat trips, tree plantings, nature
hikes, trail clean-ups and more are scheduled throughout the state Saturday
and Sunday, April 21 & 22. The fun and learning continues with Arbor Day
festivities scheduled for April 27, 28 & 29.
For details on each event, visit www.state.nj.us/dep
and click on Earth Day. DEP’s Environmental Education Program developed
and maintains the site as part of its on-going efforts to involve students,
teachers, families and the general public in hands-on opportunities to
learn about their environment and ways to improve it.
"Earth Day is a springboard to renew public interest in protecting
our natural resources, from the tiniest sea creatures to our massive woodlands,
from the rarest of endangered species to the vast ocean waters,"
said DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn. "New Jersey is fortunate to have
tremendous bio-diversity, which requires us to be very mindful stewards
of nature’s precious gifts."
Among the featured events this year is the April 21 Family Festival at
Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The free event will include live animals,
puppetry, storytelling, exhibits, and other fun and informative events
from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also on the 21st, Cheesequake State Park near Old Bridge will offer a
nature film festival, tree plantings and nature hikes beginning at 11
a.m.
At Cape May Point State Park, there will be a beach scavenger hunt from10
to 11 a.m., a live animal program from 1 to 2 p.m. and a family nature
walk from 3 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22.
Also on Sunday, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center will offer an educational
sailing trip on the Hudson River, departing from the Alpine boat basin.
The fee is $32. Pre-registration is required.
The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970, the day that DEP became a state
agency. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency that same year, and stimulated passage of the Clear
Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. The DEP Earth Day
website provides history on this annual, national celebration, and offer
links for more information about Earth Day, Arbor Day, and environmental
education.
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