Earth Day 2026
Great Lakes as seen from space. Courtesy of NASA.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, to promote ecological awareness. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin after witnessing the catastrophic 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. The date is now celebrated annually by community-driven events to encourage citizen care and respect for the environment. The Green Elk Rapids Committee reached out to several local advocates about their thoughts on Earth Day 2026.
Every Day – Erin Anderson Whiting, Senior Charitable
Giving Specialist, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
Every day I have the privilege of helping generous people put their deepest values into action. Throughout the Chain of Lakes, and in the Elk Rapids area alone, thousands of individuals, families, and businesses have chosen to prioritize the conservation and stewardship of our globally unique lands and waters.
Whether they are donating their time as one of our tireless volunteers or making a financial contribution, they are standing up for our spectacular corner of the planet and recognizing the incredibly important role these places play. Our winding rivers, rolling farmlands, lush forests and stunning shorelines are the backdrops of our everyday moments and our most precious memories. And, once they are gone, they are gone forever.
Happily, the other side of the conservation coin is that, once protected, they are also protected forever. Places like Antrim Creek, Maple Bay, Battle Creek, and Maplehurst natural areas; Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area; Kewadin Wetlands Nature Sanctuary; Torch River Ridge, Wilcox-Palmer-Shah, and Torch Lake nature preserves offer more than 5,000 acres for the public to explore and enjoy. They provide high-quality wildlife habitat, protection for rare and unique plant species, and they safeguard the health of our soil, air, and water.
While everyone’s resources – financial and time – are different, the extraordinary giving spirit demonstrated by our friends and neighbors humbles and heartens me every single day. Not only are they making a very real difference today, but they are modeling values of service and stewardship to the next generation, the young people who will inherit everything we do to this planet.
Recently, we received a letter from a 12-year-old girl who was feeling overwhelmed by the negative environmental news. She was already doing everything she knew to help the planet but wanted to do more and didn’t know where to begin, or what would matter. “A lot of people don’t listen to people trying to help, but I can’t do this alone. Will you help me? Please.” Last week, this amazing young woman visited our Conservation Center. She, and a few friends, will be joining us this summer for an immersive internship. Care and concern for nature is taught by example. Thanks to so many people in our community who truly do care, there is a lot of inspiration and hope in our next generation.
Earth Day at 56 – Dave Dempsey,
Senior Advisor at FLOW Water Advocates; author.
In difficult times for environmental health, it helps to remember the condition of America’s water, air and land on the first Earth Day. The condition was critical, symbolized by rivers catching fire, but the day was born of optimism that things could change.
And things did change. Pressured by citizens, Congress passed clean air and water laws, and Michigan’s Legislature passed nearly 20 significant environmental statutes in the 10 years that followed the first Earth Day, ending with the Wetland Protection Act.
Levels of toxic lead in air have fallen more than 90%, the galloping pace of wetland destruction in Michigan has slowed to barely a trickle, and thousands of contaminated sites have been cleaned up. These problems haven’t been solved, but the progress made in controlling them is often overlooked.
Two things to keep in mind about environmental policy:
• Don’t wait for leaders, be one. Rarely does an elected official take a risk on an environmental issue. As a French politician allegedly said during the 1848 revolution, “There go my people. I must find out where they are going, so I can lead them.
• Start local. The most accessible level of government is the city, township or county you inhabit. Convince local officials to enact an environmental protection and work with citizens across the state to do the same. Often you create a patchwork of laws that drive the passage of a statewide law as polluting or land-devouring parties clamor for one set of rules.
See? There’s hope. This Earth Day and all the others past and to come.
Caring for Our Waters, Building Our Future –
Elizabeth Petrella, President, Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Growing up in a family that appreciated all waters, it was only natural for me to develop a deep desire to care for them. Whether it’s picking up trash along a riverbank, sharing opportunities for others to get involved, or stepping into leadership roles within conservation-focused nonprofits, I believe every action contributes to something bigger.
Volunteers are the backbone of this work. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspective that helps move our shared mission forward—to conserve, protect, and restore northwest Michigan’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.
Through the Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited, we are focused on creating meaningful, lasting change. Our efforts center around building a strong foundation of tools and resources: fundraising for grants, expanding educational programs, increasing youth and women’s participation, and creating volunteer opportunities for all ages. Just as important, we are working to amplify our message through social media and community outreach to ensure more people understand the importance of this work.
One of the greatest challenges we face is engaging the next generation in leadership roles. For conservation nonprofits to thrive, we must cultivate a sustained passion for protecting our cold-water ecosystems. That’s where long-term impact truly begins. Personally, I make it a point to talk about this mission with as many people as possible. When younger individuals step into leadership roles—even briefly—they gain a powerful understanding of the difference they can make.
We are also seeing encouraging collaboration among organizations dedicated to protecting our watersheds. By working together, these groups are strengthening their collective impact and advancing conservation efforts in meaningful ways. They serve as watchtowers for our natural resources, helping maintain a balance that benefits both people and the environment.
As you read this, I encourage you to explore the work being done by these organizations. Visit their websites, learn about ongoing and upcoming projects, and consider how you might get involved. The future of our waters is promising—but it depends on continued engagement and support.
Even small actions matter. Whether you volunteer, participate in an event, take on a leadership role, or simply express your appreciation, you are contributing to a legacy of conservation that will benefit generations to come.
Together, we can ensure that these waters remain healthy, vibrant, and accessible for all.
A Great Water Awakening? Seize the Moment –
J. Carl Ganter, Circle of Blue.
At this year’s World Economic Forum, water didn’t merely trickle onto the agenda as in past years. It flooded it. Behind the geopolitical noise, delegates gave it a name: #BlueDavos. Finance leaders, heads of state, and infrastructure investors spoke of water with the urgency once reserved for collapsing economies. Money is starting to move toward the infrastructure and policy that freshwater systems desperately need. But money follows narrative — and the stories must stay urgent. Especially here in the United States and Great Lakes. Here’s why and some of the stories we’re covering at Circle of Blue:
1. The Data Center Invasion: The eight Great Lakes states have become one of the country’s epicenters for data center campuses — among the largest industrial sources of energy use and freshwater demand in the region. What does this mean for water supplies and power grid stability?
2. Unraveling Federal Protections: Circle of Blue’s special series Great Lakes: Unprotected reveals how novel rule-making, staff cuts, and dramatic shifts in funding priorities are systematically dismantling a 60-year-old program of safeguards for the region’s rivers, lakes, wetlands, and drinking water — with cascading consequences for local and state programs.
3. PFAS & Drinking Water Contamination: A Michigan Supreme Court battle over PFAS restrictions could set national precedent. The stakes are high as small towns scramble for funding to filter supplies and reckon with the reach of these persistent, pervasive chemicals.
4. Great Lakes Restoration Funding Under Threat: The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative — which since 2010 has invested more than $5 billion and supported nearly 9,000 restoration projects — expires in September without congressional action. Advocates are pushing for $500 million annually through 2031. The clock is running.
5. Trump & the Canada Water Compact: Great Lakes water agreements with Canada are on the president’s radar — including proposals once dismissed as campaign rhetoric. The compact that has long protected the basin from large-scale diversion is no longer untouchable.
6. Climate Migration: Rural Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are growing faster than rural America as a whole. The Lakes are increasingly seen as a climate haven — bringing opportunity, pressure, and hard questions about who benefits and who gets left out.
7. The Colorado River as Mirror: The headlines are arriving. Record drought, “dead pool” warnings, and the prospect of power and water failing at Glen Canyon Dam — the Colorado River crisis is a national moment. And it’s a timely lens for spotlighting what the Great Lakes represent: the other side of America’s water ledger that’s at risk.
These converging pressures are, paradoxically, generating renewed urgency — and new interest — in solving water crises at home and around the world. It’s a rare moment to be seized. But the window to match awareness with informed action is closing. The stories we write, and decisions made now will echo for generations. – Submitted by Green Elk Rapids Committee
Every Day – Erin Anderson Whiting, Senior Charitable
Giving Specialist, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
Every day I have the privilege of helping generous people put their deepest values into action. Throughout the Chain of Lakes, and in the Elk Rapids area alone, thousands of individuals, families, and businesses have chosen to prioritize the conservation and stewardship of our globally unique lands and waters.
Whether they are donating their time as one of our tireless volunteers or making a financial contribution, they are standing up for our spectacular corner of the planet and recognizing the incredibly important role these places play. Our winding rivers, rolling farmlands, lush forests and stunning shorelines are the backdrops of our everyday moments and our most precious memories. And, once they are gone, they are gone forever.
Happily, the other side of the conservation coin is that, once protected, they are also protected forever. Places like Antrim Creek, Maple Bay, Battle Creek, and Maplehurst natural areas; Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area; Kewadin Wetlands Nature Sanctuary; Torch River Ridge, Wilcox-Palmer-Shah, and Torch Lake nature preserves offer more than 5,000 acres for the public to explore and enjoy. They provide high-quality wildlife habitat, protection for rare and unique plant species, and they safeguard the health of our soil, air, and water.
While everyone’s resources – financial and time – are different, the extraordinary giving spirit demonstrated by our friends and neighbors humbles and heartens me every single day. Not only are they making a very real difference today, but they are modeling values of service and stewardship to the next generation, the young people who will inherit everything we do to this planet.
Recently, we received a letter from a 12-year-old girl who was feeling overwhelmed by the negative environmental news. She was already doing everything she knew to help the planet but wanted to do more and didn’t know where to begin, or what would matter. “A lot of people don’t listen to people trying to help, but I can’t do this alone. Will you help me? Please.” Last week, this amazing young woman visited our Conservation Center. She, and a few friends, will be joining us this summer for an immersive internship. Care and concern for nature is taught by example. Thanks to so many people in our community who truly do care, there is a lot of inspiration and hope in our next generation.
Earth Day at 56 – Dave Dempsey,
Senior Advisor at FLOW Water Advocates; author.
In difficult times for environmental health, it helps to remember the condition of America’s water, air and land on the first Earth Day. The condition was critical, symbolized by rivers catching fire, but the day was born of optimism that things could change.
And things did change. Pressured by citizens, Congress passed clean air and water laws, and Michigan’s Legislature passed nearly 20 significant environmental statutes in the 10 years that followed the first Earth Day, ending with the Wetland Protection Act.
Levels of toxic lead in air have fallen more than 90%, the galloping pace of wetland destruction in Michigan has slowed to barely a trickle, and thousands of contaminated sites have been cleaned up. These problems haven’t been solved, but the progress made in controlling them is often overlooked.
Two things to keep in mind about environmental policy:
• Don’t wait for leaders, be one. Rarely does an elected official take a risk on an environmental issue. As a French politician allegedly said during the 1848 revolution, “There go my people. I must find out where they are going, so I can lead them.
• Start local. The most accessible level of government is the city, township or county you inhabit. Convince local officials to enact an environmental protection and work with citizens across the state to do the same. Often you create a patchwork of laws that drive the passage of a statewide law as polluting or land-devouring parties clamor for one set of rules.
See? There’s hope. This Earth Day and all the others past and to come.
Caring for Our Waters, Building Our Future –
Elizabeth Petrella, President, Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Growing up in a family that appreciated all waters, it was only natural for me to develop a deep desire to care for them. Whether it’s picking up trash along a riverbank, sharing opportunities for others to get involved, or stepping into leadership roles within conservation-focused nonprofits, I believe every action contributes to something bigger.
Volunteers are the backbone of this work. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspective that helps move our shared mission forward—to conserve, protect, and restore northwest Michigan’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.
Through the Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited, we are focused on creating meaningful, lasting change. Our efforts center around building a strong foundation of tools and resources: fundraising for grants, expanding educational programs, increasing youth and women’s participation, and creating volunteer opportunities for all ages. Just as important, we are working to amplify our message through social media and community outreach to ensure more people understand the importance of this work.
One of the greatest challenges we face is engaging the next generation in leadership roles. For conservation nonprofits to thrive, we must cultivate a sustained passion for protecting our cold-water ecosystems. That’s where long-term impact truly begins. Personally, I make it a point to talk about this mission with as many people as possible. When younger individuals step into leadership roles—even briefly—they gain a powerful understanding of the difference they can make.
We are also seeing encouraging collaboration among organizations dedicated to protecting our watersheds. By working together, these groups are strengthening their collective impact and advancing conservation efforts in meaningful ways. They serve as watchtowers for our natural resources, helping maintain a balance that benefits both people and the environment.
As you read this, I encourage you to explore the work being done by these organizations. Visit their websites, learn about ongoing and upcoming projects, and consider how you might get involved. The future of our waters is promising—but it depends on continued engagement and support.
Even small actions matter. Whether you volunteer, participate in an event, take on a leadership role, or simply express your appreciation, you are contributing to a legacy of conservation that will benefit generations to come.
Together, we can ensure that these waters remain healthy, vibrant, and accessible for all.
A Great Water Awakening? Seize the Moment –
J. Carl Ganter, Circle of Blue.
At this year’s World Economic Forum, water didn’t merely trickle onto the agenda as in past years. It flooded it. Behind the geopolitical noise, delegates gave it a name: #BlueDavos. Finance leaders, heads of state, and infrastructure investors spoke of water with the urgency once reserved for collapsing economies. Money is starting to move toward the infrastructure and policy that freshwater systems desperately need. But money follows narrative — and the stories must stay urgent. Especially here in the United States and Great Lakes. Here’s why and some of the stories we’re covering at Circle of Blue:
1. The Data Center Invasion: The eight Great Lakes states have become one of the country’s epicenters for data center campuses — among the largest industrial sources of energy use and freshwater demand in the region. What does this mean for water supplies and power grid stability?
2. Unraveling Federal Protections: Circle of Blue’s special series Great Lakes: Unprotected reveals how novel rule-making, staff cuts, and dramatic shifts in funding priorities are systematically dismantling a 60-year-old program of safeguards for the region’s rivers, lakes, wetlands, and drinking water — with cascading consequences for local and state programs.
3. PFAS & Drinking Water Contamination: A Michigan Supreme Court battle over PFAS restrictions could set national precedent. The stakes are high as small towns scramble for funding to filter supplies and reckon with the reach of these persistent, pervasive chemicals.
4. Great Lakes Restoration Funding Under Threat: The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative — which since 2010 has invested more than $5 billion and supported nearly 9,000 restoration projects — expires in September without congressional action. Advocates are pushing for $500 million annually through 2031. The clock is running.
5. Trump & the Canada Water Compact: Great Lakes water agreements with Canada are on the president’s radar — including proposals once dismissed as campaign rhetoric. The compact that has long protected the basin from large-scale diversion is no longer untouchable.
6. Climate Migration: Rural Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are growing faster than rural America as a whole. The Lakes are increasingly seen as a climate haven — bringing opportunity, pressure, and hard questions about who benefits and who gets left out.
7. The Colorado River as Mirror: The headlines are arriving. Record drought, “dead pool” warnings, and the prospect of power and water failing at Glen Canyon Dam — the Colorado River crisis is a national moment. And it’s a timely lens for spotlighting what the Great Lakes represent: the other side of America’s water ledger that’s at risk.
These converging pressures are, paradoxically, generating renewed urgency — and new interest — in solving water crises at home and around the world. It’s a rare moment to be seized. But the window to match awareness with informed action is closing. The stories we write, and decisions made now will echo for generations. – Submitted by Green Elk Rapids Committee
| frontpage4_16_26.pdf |