Earth Day in Oz, 2019

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!

In Belgium, join in the Work/Play/Earth Day at Harrington Beach State Park on Saturday, April 27th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Help clean up the park after a long winter and enjoy a hot dog lunch at the Welcome Center!

In Newburg, there's the Earth Day Service Fest at Riveredge from 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday, April 27th.  From preparing and planting cool garden beds in the children’s organic garden to conducting grounds clean-up and invasive species removal to trail maintenance, this fest will provide participants with an opportunity to get their hands dirty while keeping Riveredge green. There are awesome opportunities for groups, families, and individuals of all ages to get involved and make a difference.  The day is free and as a special thank you, all volunteers will receive a free lunch at noon. Everyone is invited to hike the trails and complete their own Earth Day Scavenger Hunt and, of course, play in the great outdoors.  Registration is required.

Port Washington has a Community Clean Up in honor of Earth Day, from 8 a.m. - noon, now scheduled for May 4th, thanks to our never-ending winter!  Kickoff will start at 8:00am in Veterans’ Memorial Park. Call the Parks & Rec Office if you or a group you’re part of is interested in helping and would like more information. 
262-284-5881.  "Goodies" will be provided for those who help out!

The Milwaukee Riverkeeper has their 24th Annual Spring River Cleanup from 9- noon on Saturday, April 27th in locations all over southeastern Wisconsin, including Lime Kiln Park in Grafton.  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 Estabrook Park, Picnic Area #8. Featuring a live concert by CHICKEN WIRE EMPIRE and Lex Allen on a pedal powered stage provided by The Velo Femmes, Black Girls Do Bike and Cadence Cycling Milwaukee. Local food vendors will be selling tasty sustainable fare, as well as on-site eco-education from local environmental non-profits and organizations.

Not everyone thinks of it, but throwing away prescription and even over-the-counter drugs into the trash or flushing them down the toilet is extremely hazardous to the environment.  To help combat this, several organizations in Ozaukee County have organized a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Ozaukee County Transit Center in Port Washington and at Concordia University in Mequon.

It's not exactly for Earth Day, but Ozaukee residents should know that the Ozaukee Land & Water Management offers the Clean Sweep Program on May 11th 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!