Earth Day was launched on April 22, 1970, to raise awareness about climate change and to mobilize people to protect our planet. It brought out 20 million people – taking nature walks, cleaning up litter, holding concerts and fundraisers, and protests across the United States – in 1970! Now more than 1 BILLION people participate in Earth Day around the world to celebrate, honor, and protect our planet.
The 2022 Earth Day theme is “Invest In Our Planet” encouraging people to ask what they can do to support our planet now. At Gaia Passages, we choose to invest in our planet by investing in our youth – We believe in nurturing and mentoring the next generation of Earth Stewards. Our youth grow best when they have the opportunity to root themselves in their bodies, in their communities, and in connection and partnership with nature. We offer immersive experiences and choose depth over breadth and quality over quantity. We believe that investing in this model is vital for developing whole-person leadership skills with a particular emphasis on growing a deeply personal relationship with nature as a teacher, guide, and lifelong friend. Our programs draw on the wisdom embedded in earth-based cultures that cultivate honor and connection, the raising of healthy children, and the tending of the wildlands.
If you live in California, the chances are high that the land you live on is part of a tapestry of tribal lands once populated by over 200,000 indigenous people. Our program circles gather in over 9 distinct watersheds on the unceded lands of several Native Californian Tribes. At Gaia Passages, we support both the Sorgorea Te’ Land Trust and contribute to the Amah Mutsun Land Trust as the original tenders of the land to support their efforts of cultural healing, rematriation of territories, and regeneration of the land and water. With respect and gratitude for thousands of years of sovereignty and care of these lands and wisdom in healing them.
Curious what you can do to invest in our planet? From sending something digitally instead of printing it to composting to shopping locally to adopting some sustainable fashion, EarthDay.org has 52 big and small suggestions to help you invest in our planet for a greener and more prosperous future.
Learn more here: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-tips/
