Here’s some volunteer opportunities coming up!
April 18, 2009
13th Annual Earth Day Challenge: Coming Together for Our CommunityOn April 18, the Greater Madison community will be celebrating its 13th Annual Earth Day Challenge in parks across Madison, coming together as neighborhoods, groups and individuals to pick-up trash, mulch, weed and work together to better our parks and our community.
“Each year the Earth Day Challenge allows Madison residents to unite as a collective force and take ownership of our community,” said Community Relations Coordinator Laura Whitmore. “Parks are more than an area of recreation; they are a part of our community. It is when we work together in support of our parks that we truly make them our own.”
The idea for Earth Day originated in Wisconsin in 1970 when Senator Gaylord Nelson set about to create a grassroots movement that would bring the environment to the forefront of the political spotlight. In its first year the event amassed more than 20 million participants and swiftly propelled the environment as a decisive issue in both the political and mainstream culture.
Over the years Earth Day has evolved into a global-wide event that celebrates environmental responsibility and mobilizes volunteers to take individual action to improve their local environment. Madison’s Earth Day is uniquely large, bringing in nearly 1,500 volunteers in over 75 parks in the last year and partnering with the United Way Youth Service Day to encourage community activism amongst young adults.
Projects in Madison Parks that are still in need of volunteers are:
* April 18, 9a.m.-noon, Plant a Prairie with the Madison Parks Conservation Staff, Kennedy Park, 5202 Retana Drive.
* April 18, 9a.m.-noon, Tree Planting with the Friends of the Yahara River, meet at the Tenney Park Shelter, 1414 East Johnson Street
* April 18, 10a.m.-noon, Monona Bay Shoreline Clean-up for Earth Day with the Friends of Monona Bay, Brittingham Beachhouse
* April 18, 11 am – 2 pm, Garlic Mustard Pulling with the Madison Area Weed Warriors, Edna Taylor Conservation Park, 802 Femrite Drive
* April 18, 9a.m.-noon, Garlic Mustard Pulling, Glenwood Children’s Park, 602 Glenway Street
* April 18, 9a.m.-noon, weeding, clearing brush, general clean up, Westmorland Park, 4114 Tokay Blvd
* April 18, 10a.m.-1p.m., spreading mulch, installing signs at disc golf course, Hiestand Park Disc Golf Course, corner of Milwaukee Street and WittwerIndividuals or groups are also encouraged to volunteer their time on community projects that extend beyond Earth Day. For volunteer opportunities or for more information on the Parks Division visit us at www.cityofmadison.com/parks or call 608-266-5949.
