Mike Freidlin, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
April 2017
Another April is once again upon us. Thankfully, April brings with it relief from cold temperatures, increased daylight, beautiful birds with their joyful songs, flowers, and of course, April 22...Earth Day.
The year 1970 saw the height of the hippie movement, the death of Jimi
Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and the war in Vietnam. Americans were
slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans, industry emitted massive
amounts of smoke and sludge without legal consequences, air pollution was
accepted as a sign of prosperity, and "environment" was a word which
appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news.
America was oblivious to environmental concerns, until one woman, more than
anyone else, raised public concern and awareness for living organisms, the
environment, and public health. Her name was Rachel Carson, and her book,
Silent Spring, began the modern environmental movement. The book became a
New York Times bestseller, selling over 500,000 copies in 24 countries after
its release in 1962. The book inspired the first Earth Day in 1970 by
creating an emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war
protest movement, and putting environmental concerns front and center.
The founder of Earth Day, then United States Senator Gaylord Nelson from
Wisconsin, came up with the idea after witnessing the ravages of a massive
oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in 1969. The Santa Barbara oil spill
of 1969 spewed an estimated 3-million gallons of crude oil into the ocean,
creating an oil slick 35 miles long along California's coast severely
impacting thousands of birds, fish and sea mammals.
Twenty million Americans took to the streets on that first Earth Day in 1970
and demonstrations ensued across America for a healthy environment, while
protesters brought attention to the deterioration of the environment.
Thousands of colleges and universities also organized protests against
environmental deterioration.
The first Earth Day included people from all walks of society...farmers,
wealthy, poor, labor leaders, Democrats, Republicans, and everything and
anything in between. The first Earth Day also led to the creation of the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and to the passage of
the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
Today, Earth Day is celebrated in nearly 200 countries involving over
5,000 environmental groups. Presently, the major focus on Earth Day is
mostly centered on climate change and the push for clean, alternative
energy. Earth Day has become the largest civic event in the world. Billions
of people in some way involve themselves in some sort of Earth Day activity
on or around April 22.
What can we as individuals do? Volunteer, change a habit, organize an event,
organize a community garden, and adopt an earth friendly diet, just to name
a few. However, the commitment must be year round because... Every Day is
Earth Day!
Join us at Indraloka for our first monthly Nurture & Nourish day of 2017 - We're celebrating Earth Day!
On Saturday, April 22nd from 11am-3pm, we'll clean up the sanctuary, plant trees and seeds, garden, and enjoy a beautiful nature walk with Mike Freidlin. The day will include a tour of the sanctuary and a delicious plant-based lunch. There will be plenty of time to spend with the animal residents throughout the day, too! Tickets are limited so be sure to get yours before they sell out.
Mike Freidlin is a naturalist, athlete, vegan animal rights activist, and
environmental science educator with 35 years of teaching experience. In his
role as middle and high school science teacher for the Abington Heights,
Pennsylvania school district, Mike acted as the Middle and High School
Ecology Club Advisor. He led more than 700 student members of the Tropical
Rainforest Ecology Club on trips to such destinations as Panama, Costa Rica,
and Ecuador, where they learned about rainforest protection, the rights and
concerns of animals and indigenous communities, and students' roles and
responsibilities as global citizens. Mike has served on the Board of
Directors for Lackawanna Audubon Society and Save The Rainforest.
Mike generously shares his knowledge and expertise with the sanctuary and
our supporters for all of us to benefit from the power of connecting more
deeply with our planet. Enjoy!
Return to Environmental Articles