Celebrating Earth Day Should Go Beyond April 22
Earth Day has evolved from an idea promoting environmentalism awareness to an advocacy dedicated to education and activism. Of all people, Joanne Morton knows Earth Day does not begin and end on April 22nd; Its spirit must endure everyday through awareness and care for the planet we call home.
As the Director of Operations at Well FED, Morton assisted in the organization of the Earth Day Festival last weekend, April 16th, in Forsyth Park. The festival, also known as Earth Day Savannah, is the city’s largest environmental outreach event of the year as well as the biggest education-based event in tandem with the celebration of Earth Day in the state of Georgia.
For the past few years, Well FED has been working with the city of Savannah and the Earth Day Festival. According to Morton, this year was the first year her team worked with the Department of Sustainability. Following the success of last year’s festival, Morton said her team built upon the event’s effective elements with more music and food and beverage options.
“We are really pleased with the response that we've been getting from so many people,” Morton said. “The fact that so many non profit environmental organizations were able to reach so many people to educate and empower them to change their habits is a great reward.”
Morton was initially worried how the weather would fair for the festivities, but the Saturday of the event turned out to be beautiful.
“My favorite moment was watching everyone walk around and enjoy themselves,” Morton said. “The crowd really represented the diversity and culture of Savannah. So many groups have said they have found more volunteers to help them.”
In order to maintain the momentum and zeal of Earth Day Savannah, Morton encourages those who could not make it out to the festival but would still like to help and contribute to the impact of Earth Day to get in touch with the various groups that participated in the event.
“So many people are doing great work and need help,” Morton said. “If we all do a little bit, no one has to do it all. Plus it's more fun doing a beach clean up with more people helping. I would also suggest people to be mindful of how much ‘plastic’ they are using.”
Each year presents more opportunities for Morton and her team to reach out and gain support from the community and other organizations dedicated to the planet’s welfare.
“We are already excited about next year's Earth Day as well as the one in 2020 – which will be the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day,” Morton said. “We also produce Food Day which is like Earth Day but for food. This happens in October. These two events are very important to Savannah because it gives groups and organizations opportunities to connect with the community.”
Morton believes the Savannah community is only as strong as the people who live here. She considers herself and her fellow man blessed to live in Savannah, because of the abundance of wonderful, hardworking people committed to working together for the highest form of good.
“I am personally very grateful to have this opportunity to be living in Savannah right now,” Morton said. “It feels good to be offering people opportunities to meet each other in a space where everyone is welcome … and has something to contribute.”
