Earth Day, April 22, 2010

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GBMC Celebrates Earth Day

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. It was the brainchild of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. In 1962 he convinced President Kennedy to go on a five-state environmental tour, which he took in 1963. There was not much press. In 1969, at the height of the Viet Nam war and numerous anti-war demonstrations, Nelson envisioned a “teach-in” on the environment. Approximately 20 million Americans participated on that first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Groups that had been fighting against specific environmental issues now had a common voice and the environmental movement had begun. Today Earth Day is celebrated by nearly 500 million people all over the globe.

Although April 22 is the birthday of Lenin, it is also the birthday of Eddie Albert (Green Acres fame and dedicated environmentalist) who spoke at the first Earth Day.


GBMC’s Green Team is hosting our celebration of Earth Day 2010. Employees, volunteers and members of the community are all invited to attend the “Farmer’s Market” themed event on Thursday, April 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Civiletti Conference Center rooms B and C. Earth Day 2010 will feature:

Recycling stations – Bring in one or more of the following items for recycling and your name will be entered into a prize drawing!
Cell phones/accessories
Eyeglasses
Computer equipment from home (PCs, monitors, keyboards, speakers, etc.)
Household batteries

Giveaways – Sign GBMC’s pledge to be environmentally responsible and receive a FREE reusable cup! Each time you use the cup in the GBMC Café, you’ll receive an extra 10¢ discount off the cost of a 16oz. fountain drink or coffee.

Refreshments – Free popcorn and lemonade will be available!


It’s a Jeans Day! – Buy a sticker for $5 and wear jeans to work on Earth Day. Come to the dining room on April 15, April 16 and April 21 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to buy a sticker to wear with your jeans on April 22. Proceeds benefit Herring Run Watershed Association. *Check with your manager to determine whether jeans are appropriate for your department.

Numerous “farmer’s market stands” will be full of useful information such as
• The history of Earth Day
• Your carbon footprint
• Environmental benefits of a vegetarian/vegan diet
• “Greening” Maryland Hospitals

Find out what GBMC is doing to minimize its impact on the environment through its energy-conserving Peak Load Contribution (PLC) program, expanded recycling capabilities and plans for a new Farmer’s Market this summer. Some participants include Baltimore County Recycling, Herring Run Watershed Association and several of GBMC’s energy management partners.

Also in honor of Earth Day, GBMC’s Café will serve an assortment of fresh local foods like chicken, bison burgers and vegetables to encourage interest in eating healthy, sustainable foods while supporting Maryland farmers.

Please direct questions to Barbara Nagle Bodyk at ext. 2945. See you at the “farmer’s market!”

Some Earth Day links:

1) MDH2E - Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment http://cms.h2e-online.org/stateprograms/current-programs/maryland-h2e/ (GBMC is a member of this org)

2) Practice Greenhealth - http://www.practicegreenhealth.org/
(GBMC is a member of this org)

3) Herring Run Watershed Association (money collected for wearing jeans on Earth Day will benefit this group) - http://baywatersheds.org/

4) Earth Day Network - http://www.earthday.net/