Earth Day is Friday, April 22. It is the same date every year and is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, engaging more than 1 billion people every year, according to earthday.org.

Locals can celebrate this day as part of the global community, which included over 194 countries in 2010, in a variety of ways.

“On Earth Day, it would be nice for kids to get out and do something in nature. I think planting something or having something explained to them like how things grow, even what they eat, means a lot,” said Lani Miller, owner of The Twisted Willow floral shop in Sealy. “It might stick with them, and they’d have more appreciation, instead of sitting in front of their computer.”

Bluebonnet Master Gardener Faye Beery agreed on the importance of passing on knowledge to the next generation.

“It’s important for families and communities to teach children about earth and ecology. Earth Day is a good time to visit a nature center, take a walk in a wild area, visit a zoo that works with conservation groups to save endangered animals,” Beery said.

Of course, Earth Day remains an occasion people of all ages can appreciate.

“I am concerned about what’s going to happen in the future. I think everybody should respect and acknowledge what’s going on with the global warming and everything,” Miller said. “We do have wonderful places on this earth that are beautiful … I’d just go camp out at one of those places and enjoy it.”

“It’s important to remember that the future is not a door we walk through, it’s what we are creating here and now,” Beery said. “Let’s all try to live like our children’s and grandchildren’s lives depended on it. It does.” Beery said one of the goals of

Beery said one of the goals of the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is to educate the community on all things horticulture.

“For Master Gardeners, every day is Earth Day,” Beery said. “We appreciate clean water and air for our plants to grow. Plants will not grow in pollutants and toxic soil cannot raise the food we like to eat. Our mission is to teach the community about research-based horticultural information. This includes youth groups and demonstration gardens in communities.”

The history of Earth Day started in 1970 thanks in part to Senator Gaylord Nelson, explains earthday.org. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other environmental laws, including the National Environmental Education Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and more.

“These laws have protected millions of men, women and children from disease and death and have protected hundreds of species from extinction,” the site says.