Happy Earth Day!
Fifty years ago, today, millions of Americans took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet.
It was exactly 30 years ago that I was one of 750,000 people dancing to the B52s’ Love Shack at a rally in Central Park, NYC. That one college adventure was instrumental in raising my awareness.
Earth Day has become a worldwide awareness consciousness raising event and celebration. Each year people come together on this day to mark the annual day devoted to keeping the environment we all occupy healthy and sustainable.
This year, there won't be any large celebrations in Central Park or elsewhere, but in some ways, I believe this year more than any other is a celebration and a gift to our planet.
In the last month, I've seen videos of penguins strolling through the streets of South Africa, a kangaroo hoping down an empty Australian city street, and jellyfish swimming through the now crystal clear canals of Venice. I've read about wildlife reclaiming Yosemite National Park and the dropping levels of pollution resulting in blue sky over the usually smog-filled cities. I've enjoyed the nature photos in my Facebook feed taken by friends and acquaintances who have finally slowed down enough to rediscover their nature connection.
If this isn't a nod to Earth Day, then I don't know what is. I only hope it creates lasting positive change for the planet.
So in celebration of and to honor what this day is about, I have a small gift for you. My original plan was to invite you to an in-person Earth Day 2020 forest bathing walk. Obviously that can't happen so instead, I created a virtual introduction to forest bathing for you. This will give you a taste of what it's all about and the best part is you don't have to go anywhere. You can do it in your own backyard, garden or even your living room. All you need is a journal, pen and about an hour.
To get access to the virtual forest bathing walk, go here.
I hope you enjoy the experience and I hope some day soon we can meet in person and walk together.
Happy Earth Day!
Forest Love,
Julie
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better.
It's not.
--Dr. Seuss (The Lorax)