Los Alamos County Councilor Randall Ryti presents a proclamation during Tuesday’s Council meeting to, from left, Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Representative Abbey Hayward, County Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule, DPU Representative Cathy D’Anna and Pajarito Environmental Education Center Representative Beth Cortright, designating Monday, April 22 as ‘Earth Day’ in Los Alamos County and Saturday, April 20 as the ‘Earth Day Festival’ at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Courtesy/LAC

Staff Report:

On behalf of the Los Alamos County Council during Tuesday’s Council meeting, Councilor Randall Ryti read the following proclamation designating Monday, April 22, 2024, as “Earth Day” and Saturday, April 20, 2024, as the “Earth Day Festival” at the Los Alamos Nature Center:

WHEREAS, the first Earth Day was enacted in 1970 and engaged more than twenty million Americans to advocate for a cleaner environment; and

WHEREAS, 54 years later, Earth Day has become a worldwide event and has highlighted some of the most critical environmental issues on the world stage and is an annual reminder of the constant need to protect our environment from pollution; and 

WHEREAS, communities worldwide are celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd, with activities and educational opportunities to encourage citizens to renew their commitment to protecting our valuable resources here on Earth; and

WHEREAS, Los Alamos County continually seeks to reduce its environmental impact and to provide programs that encourage pollinator conservation, wildlife protection, recycling, backyard composting, energy efficiency and water conservation; and

WHEREAS, Los Alamos County, at the recommendation of the Resiliency Energy and Sustainability citizen task force and the direction of the County Council, conducted a greenhouse gas inventory study and is in the process of developing a Los Alamos Climate Action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create climate resilience to protect the health and safety of the community and the environment for future generations; and

WHEREAS, the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities is committed to sourcing a diverse, carbon-neutral power supply and to providing educational and outreach opportunities to conserve our water and energy resources; and

WHEREAS, the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, a non-profit organization that connects people to nature, is a committed partner to the County in educating the community on the importance of protecting the Earth and the environment through presentations, hikes, outings, classes, school lessons, and field trips; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day falls on a Monday, and therefore, to encourage community-wide awareness, the Pajarito Environmental Education Center will host the annual “Earth Day Festival” on Saturday, April 20th, at the Los Alamos Nature Center located at 2600 Canyon Road, Los Alamos, New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, representatives from the Los Alamos County departments, Environmental Sustainability Board, and Los Alamos Sustainability Alliance will participate in the Pajarito Environmental Education Center’s “Earth Day Festival”; and

WHEREAS, when we celebrate Earth Day, we set a good example for our children by demonstrating that we care about protecting our land and open spaces. This in turn, strengthens our community and economy, improves our environment, and respects the Earth.

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby designate Monday, April 22nd, as

“EARTH DAY”,

and I encourage all citizens, civic organizations, and businesses to celebrate the “Earth Day Festival” on Saturday, April 20th, at the Los Alamos Nature Center to promote environmental and climate literacy.

FURTHERMORE, I ask our community members to rededicate themselves to finding ways to protect and preserve the environment by incorporating into their daily lives activities to conserve water and energy, eliminate the use of single-use plastics when feasible, minimize food waste, utilize public transit, walk or ride their bikes, plant pollinator-friendly plants, and reuse and recycle materials.