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Our
Community
Even when we are staying physically distant during the COVID-19 pandemic,
we can still take personal action to support our community and our Earth.
*Please note, this is a physically-distant event. None of the activities suggested here require or should result in congregation.
WHAT COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE SAYING.
"On this Earth Day, as we celebrate in a new and different way, we realize two important lessons. First, we see the beauty of the world outside more vividly when we're asked to stay home for a time. Secondly, we see how interconnected we all are and the power we share when we focus our individual actions to collectively benefit the entire world. Working together, we can make anything possible."
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Deborah Frank Feinen
Mayor
City of Champaign
"During this unprecedented time as many of the activities we enjoy are grinding to a halt, we have this opportunity to reflect on what’s really important. Fifty years have passed since the first Earth Day. What better time than now to make a real, permanent, change in our own lives for the future of planet Earth?"
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Mary Ellen Wuellner
Executive Director
Champaign County Forest Preserve District
"We face a triple crisis of of global warming, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting economic hardship for those thrown out of employment. This 50th Earth Day, let’s celebrate by making a plan to restart the economy on a low carbon pollution footing with investment in renewable energy jobs."
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Scott R. Tess
Sustainability & Resilience Officer
City of Urbana, IL
“Remember Earth Day! is a celebration of all life, of all living things. When we celebrate all living things this constructs a radiant mental aliveness to bring ebullience to every moment. Live this way and you are Earth Day!”
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Patch Adams, MD
“The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is a celebration of our planet and activism to protect it. While we wish we could mark the day with marches and rallies, our community, our state, and the world will hear our raised voices calling for a cleaner and more just planet.”
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Elliot Brinkman
Executive Director
Prairie Rivers Network
"Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day during the COVID-19 pandemic is even more meaningful because of the interconnected nature of living in a shared world. Our interdependence on the same essential resources will require us to use everything that we learned during the past fifty years of Earth Day celebrations—and more—to determine if our residents will live in a healthy world over the next 50 years."
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Timothy A. Bartlett
Executive Director
Urbana Park District
"I think everyone is experiencing a return to the basics. I've watched from afar as friends, family and strangers have re-familiarized themselves with the natural world through this pandemic experience. As a spectator, I'm enjoying watching the realization the natural world is still going strong. Nature shows us to be hopeful and patient. When all the world is in chaos, seasons still change, plants still grow and birds make nests for new life to start. What a most perfect time to celebrate Earth Day.
Sarah Livesay
Executive Director
Grand Prairie Friends Land Trust
"It is important to celebrate this 50th anniversary as we have come so far in the fight for the environment but have so much more to do. This is even more evident as the pandemic demonstrates how something as tiny as a virus links us around the world."
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Judy Miller
Environmental Program Manager
Urbana Park District
“This pandemic shows how quickly and radically we can change our ways in order to protect what we love, so the 50th observance of Earth Day is the perfect time to commit to loving Earth and those who share this common home with us.”
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Cindy Shepherd
Central Illinois Outreach Director
Faith in Place
COMMUNITY WORD CLOUD.
IN PROGRESS...
PARTICIPATE HERE
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C-U on Earth Day Community Partners include:
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Champaign County Audubon Society
Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Champaign County Museums Network
C4A: Community Center for the Arts
East-Central Illinois Master Naturalists
McKinley Presbyterian Green Team
School for Designing a Society
Society of Wetland Scientists NCC Student Association at UIUC
University of Illinois Extension
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... and the list is growing! Contact CU.Earth.Day2020@gmail.com if your group wants to help spread the word!
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City of Champaign
Earth Day Mayoral Proclamation.
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