By: angiehongmn
Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

Earth Day is more than just a feel-good event

There are times in life when it feels like regular, everyday people are powerless to affect real and meaningful change. If we look back at recent history, however, we can find numerous examples from around the world that demonstrate the “power of the people.” From the women’s suffrage movement, which gained American women the right to vote in 1920, to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and more recently, termination of the Keystone XL oil pipeline in Canada and the US, we see that grassroots protests can be incredibly successful if many people participate, organizers build strategic alliances, and it’s more than just a one-time event.

In the United States, the 1960s and 70s were a time of profound change, with protest movements springing up around the country to advocate for civil rights, better environmental protections, and an end to the Vietnam War.

Here in Stillwater, local residents began organizing in 1965 when Northern States Power Company (now Xcel Energy) announced its intention to build a coal-fired power plant on the St. Croix River in Oak Park Heights. Community advocates reached out to Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale for support and loudly voiced their opposition to the power plant. 

The Allen S. King Generating Station, located on the St. Croix River in Oak Park Heights, was opened in 1968, despite regional opposition.

Though the Allen S. King plant was indeed constructed, Stillwater’s protests ignited a national conversation that eventually inspired Congress to pass the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968. As part of the new legislation, the St. Croix River and seven other rivers were designated for protection from new dams, bridges, and shoreline development. Today, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System protects more than 13,000 miles of riverway in 226 rivers across the United States.

In 1968, Northern States Power donated 25,000 acres of land to the federal and state governments (Minnesota and Wisconsin), which helped to establish the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, as well as Wild River State Park (MN) and Governor Knowles State Forest (WI).

For its part, Northern States Power subsequently donated 25,000 acres of land to the federal and state governments to create the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The donated land helped to establish Wild River State Park (MN), Governor Knowles State Forest (WI), and other public lands. Meanwhile, after 60 years in operation, the King Plant is now scheduled to be decommissioned in 2028.

Students at a teach-in during the first Earth Day in 1970. Photo courtesy of University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (Ann Arbor).

Two years after passing the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Senator Nelson helped to organize the very first “Earth Day” on April 22, 1970. During this inaugural event, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — participated in teach-ins and rallies, calling for sweeping changes to end the environmental destruction they saw happening across the nation. Over the next five years, the federal government sprang to action, establishing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1970), and passing the Clean Air Act (1970), Clean Water Act (1972), Endangered Species Act (1973), and Wilderness Act (1974). In addition, the U.S. banned the use of DDT, a pesticide found to be harming eagles, osprey and other birds-of-prey.

The first Earth Day helped to usher in sweeping environmental change in the U.S., including establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1970), and passage of the Clean Air Act (1970), Clean Water Act (1972), Endangered Species Act (1973), and Wilderness Act (1974).

Now, more than 50 years later, Americans continue to celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22 with community clean-ups, tree planting events, eco-fairs, and even protests.

Looking for ideas on where to engage locally on this year’s Earth Day? Here are a few events happening this week:

  • Earth Day Rally at the Capitol: Wednesday, April 22 (10-11am) at the Minnesota State Capitol (75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul). More than a dozen environmental organizations will be attending and are inviting members of the public to advocate for environmental issues in Minnesota.
  • Free entry to Washington County Parks on Wednesday, April 22.
  • Free entry to all 73 Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas on Saturday, April 25.
  • Lake Elmo Arbor Day tree give-away (residents only): Sat., April 25 (8-10am). Head to the Public Works building (3445 Ideal Ave. N) to get a free tree while supplies last.
  • Oakdale Eco Fair and Clothing Swap: Sat., April 25 (9am-1pm) at Castle Elementary School (6675 50th Street N). There will be family-friendly activities, educational booths, and a food truck. You can also shop the Clothing Swap for free, gently-used clothing and shoes. All are welcome.
  • Mahtomedi’s 20th Annual RITE of Spring: Sat., April 25 (10am – 1pm) at Wildwood Elementary (8698 75th Street N.). Enjoy a variety of fun and educational stations and activities. All are welcome.
  • Valley Eco Fair: Sun., April 26 (11am-2pm) at Pioneer Park in Stillwater (515 2nd St N). There will be 30+ sustainability-focused organizations; food trucks offering food and drinks; and family-friendly music and interactive activities. New for 2026 –test drive an electric car from 11am-3pm (free). Each ride will garner $50 in donations for an EV charging station near downtown Stillwater. All are welcome.