Delaware celebrates 50th anniversary of Earth Day

DNREC hosts a virtual Earth Day Scavenger Hunt and Pledge

DOVER, Del. – Delawareans are invited to join millions of people around the globe to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host a virtual event through the end of the month for Delawareans to celebrate the natural world, engage in environmental education and contribute to a resolve for sustainable change.

While annual volunteer clean-up events and other community activities have been canceled this year, the Earth Day 2020 Scavenger Hunt and Pledge focuses on how to take care of the planet.

Beginning today, look for daily questions posted on Facebook, search for clues on DNREC’s website, and reply to the original post with answers. Participants will be challenged by a range of questions related to climate change, recycling, state parks and more. Winners will be selected randomly each day for prizes, including Delaware State Parks passes and eco-friendly products.

Delawareans are also invited to enjoy special interactive home-based activities and post selfies on facebook.com/DNREC to be eligible for random prize drawings. Everyone is encouraged to take the online pledge to adopt activities with a positive environmental impact, not just for Earth Day, but all year long.

“At DNREC, we make every day Earth Day – working to build a cleaner and healthier Delaware,” said Secretary Shawn Garvin. “There is no more timely opportunity than the 50th anniversary of Earth Day for Delawareans to join us and other people around the globe to promote the conservation of our planet.”

The first Earth Day in 1970 was a coast-to-coast celebration and movement to mobilize an emerging public consciousness about pollution. Earth Day led to passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States, including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.

In Delaware at that time, the General Assembly had made a commitment to preserving and protecting the environment by passing a bill in 1969 to create a new state agency that would soon become DNREC. Now in its 50th year, DNREC offers programs that support cleaner transportation, energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling and more.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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