May 22, 2012
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Although operating 930 miles apart, two ERDC booths attracted numerous visitors attending Earth Day celebrations – one at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and the other at Alcorn State University (ASU) in Lorman, Miss.
U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson is credited with founding Earth Day, with the first observance held nationwide April 22, 1970, attracting more than 20 million people. It is now an annual celebration held each April, featuring week-long activities in some communities.
With the theme, “Mobilize the Earth”, this year’s 42nd anniversary event brought together an estimated one billion people in 192 countries, according to the official Earth Day organization’s report. Since its inception, Earth Day continues to heighten awareness of environmental concerns.
The National Mall hosted America’s largest Earth Day event. Free to the public, the massive two-mile mall observance featured renewable energy demonstrations, a global webcast and top musical talent. It was expanded this year from a weekend event to include Monday in hopes of attracting area workers.
ERDC Environmental Laboratory (EL) shared booth space with Corps headquarters and featured a three-day interactive exhibit of small critters that display visitors could touch.
EL Research Biologist Courtney Chambers was invited to speak and host a booth at ASU’s annual Earth Day celebration, which featured an environmentally-focused symposium. Her presentation centered on the Corps’ ecosystem restoration efforts.
The ASU event was sponsored by the SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education Diversity and Sustainability) Ecology Chapter of the Ecological Society of America and the ASU Department of Biological Sciences.
The observance included a public officials’ symposium featuring the mayors of Hazlehurst and Natchez, Miss.
“The mayors spoke on what is being done to protect the environment in their areas of jurisdiction,” Chambers said. “Port Gibson Middle and High School students joined in the celebration, along with ASU students and guest speakers.”
Chambers shared updates on EL’s various research areas during the reception and informed students about ERDC internships and permanent positions after graduation.