Los Alamos County Environmental Services Division Manager Angelica Gurule, far left, County Councilor Melanee Hand, center, Pajarito Environmental Education Center Educator and Planetarium Manager Elizabeth Watts and her daughter Kathryn at Tuesday’s Council meeting where Council issued a proclamation declaring Friday, April 22 as ‘Earth Day 2022’. Photo by Leslie Bucklin/LAC

COUNTY NEWS

Los Alamos County Councilors during their special session Tuesday evening declared Friday, Apr. 22 ‘Earth Day 2022’ in Los Alamos County. The proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS: The first Earth Day was enacted in 1970 and engaged over twenty million Americans to advocate for a cleaner environment; and

WHEREAS: Fifty-two 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 will celebrate 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 continuously seeks to reduce its environmental impact and to provide programs that promote waste reduction, recycling, backyard composting, energy and water conservation, clean energy, electric vehicle technology; and

WHEREAS: Los Alamos County Council, at the recommendation of the Resiliency Energy and Sustainability citizen task force, invested funds to conduct a Greenhouse Gas Inventory Study in 2022 that will inform the development of a Los Alamos Climate Action Plan to realize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to further protect the health of the community and the environment for future generations; 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 talks, hikes, outings, and classes; school lessons and field trips; and

WHEREAS: The Pajarito Environmental Education Center will host its annual “Earth Day Celebration” for everyone in the community on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Nature Center located at 2600 Canyon Road, Los Alamos, New Mexico; and

WHEREAS: Representatives from the Los Alamos County, Environmental Sustainability Board, and Zero Waste Team Los Alamos will also participate in the Pajarito Environmental Education Center’s “Earth Day Celebration” on Saturday, April 23, 2022; and

WHEREAS: When we celebrate Earth Day we set a good example for our children, demonstrating that we care about protecting our land and open spaces, which in turn strengthens our 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 Friday, April 22nd as “EARTH DAY 2022” and I encourage all citizens, civic organizations, and businesses to join in the “Earth Day Celebration” hosted by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center at the Nature Center on April 23rd.

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 minimize food waste, compost, pack a zero-waste lunch, plant a native tree or plant, reuse and recycle materials.