Five Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in North Andover

In 1970, after a career promoting conservation and environmental protection, Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin founded Earth Day to get people thinking about and talking about the environment. About 20 million Americans participated in Earth Day that year.

Earth Day was supposed to be a one-time event, and then it evolved into an event every 10 years. Eventually it became an annual event, and today it is celebrated all around the world.

But why go to New York, California or even Boston? Here are five ways to make a difference for Earth Day right here in your own town.

1. Plant a Tree: It's perhaps the most common Earth Day activity. Treas produce oxygen, and some produce hundreds of lbs. of oxygen per year. Trees also clean air pollution. So if you think your yard could use another tree, then plant one. They not only add beauty, they also add health.

2. Clean Up the Land: Another common way people celebrate Earth day is by cleaning up. All year long, people carelessly discard trash. This not only makes the town look gross, it also harms the land and animals. So head down to or or anywhere else in town (although if it's not public property, certainly ask permission first) and make your town a little cleaner.

3. Cut Back on Driving: It's going to be a nice day. Why not leave the car at home if you're running errands close by in town? Get out the bike and pedal for Earth. Or you can walk.

4. Go Organic: Living healthy promotes a healthy planet. Why not plan a garden? Or think of ways to incorporate an eco-friendly lifestyle into your life? is a Patch column about gardening, and is a column about living eco-friendly with ease.

5. Take a Hike: Even if you don't have any specific place to go, you can still enjoy the outdoors and even organize group hikes to get people thinking about their environment. North Andover has some of the most amazing scenery in the region. You can see the Boston skyline from on a day like this. Harold Parker State Forest has miles of hiking including the beautiful Or stroll around Lake Cochichewick for a water view. What better way to appreciate Earth than seeing what nature has created in your own town?