Celebrating Earth Day in Oz, 2022

The first Earth Day was April 22nd, 1970, and it was the beginning of the modern environmental movement.  The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Twenty years later, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world, but you don't have to participate globally -- there are many ways to do it locally!

To kick off Earth Day in Oz, Traditions on the Green is hosting Earth Day at the Mequon Public Market on Sunday, April 10th from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  Enjoy a water bar, live music, prizes, and kids can take home a pea plant.

The Mequon Nature Preserve has a whole week of Earth Day events, beginning with two events for young children: a screening of the movie The Lorax on Monday, April 18th at 10 a.m. and followed by a craft, hike and storytime for kids at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19th.  Wednesday, April 20th, as part of the Brown Bag Lunch Series at MNP, Kat Erickson, Professor at MATC, will present "Environment is Where We All Meet: The Beginning of Human Connection to the Earth."  On Earth Day, Friday, April 22nd, anyone ages 12 and up can participate in a Land Restoration Work Day at MNP.

The Milwaukee Riverkeeper has their 27th Annual Spring River Cleanup from 9- noon on Saturday, April 23rd in locations all over southeastern Wisconsin, including Grafton, Saukville, Newburg and Fredonia.  Milwaukee Riverkeeper provides the gloves, trash bags, and amazing FREE T-SHIRTS, and you provide the hands and energy to pick up the interesting and sometimes bizarre trash that finds its way into our beautiful river system. Afterwards, attend Rock the Green at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee for live music and more.

In Port Washington, the WJ Niederkorn Library is hosting a Native Tree Giveaway from 9 a.m. - noon at the library and 1-4 p.m. at upper Lake Park.

In Saukville, Riveredge is hosting an Earth Day Summit for Teens on Saturday, April 23rd from 2-5 p.m.  Groups and organizations are encouraged to sign up, but individuals may, as well.  Also in Saukville on Saturday, dumpsters will be available for a Spring Clean Up at 649 S. Main St. between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Residents may drop off one large piece of furniture, carpeting, small amounts of construction debris, one box spring and mattress and appliances such as air conditioning units, microwaves, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers and water heaters.  They cannot accept cardboard, batteries, waste oil, paints, liquids, hazardous waste, recyclables, lawn waste, iron, tires, concrete, bricks or electronics, such as computers, monitors, printers, or telephones with video displays.

It's not exactly for Earth Day, but Ozaukee residents should know that Ozaukee County will also have a Community Recycling Event on Saturday, April 30th at Firemen's Park in Cedarburg and the Ozaukee Land & Water Management offers the Clean Sweep Program on May 14th from 8 a.m. - noon at the Ozaukee County Highway Shop, located at 1221 Hilltop Drive in the Town of Cedarburg.  This program allows residents a chance to properly dispose of hazardous waste, old tires, electronics, and appliances.  There is a $20 registration fee per vehicle for hazardous waste, but registration is not required for other items, though some disposal fees may apply.

Happy Earth Day, Oz!