On Earth Day and every day Rotary projects make an impact

Members protect endangered habitats, plant trees, and clean up plastic waste

By Nicki Clayton, Rotary International’s area of focus manager for the environment

Fifty-five years ago, the first Earth Day launched a wave of environmental action in the United States. Other countries soon began observing Earth Day as well. Celebrated on 22 April this year, Earth Day mobilizes people around the world to help preserve our planet.

Rotary added the environment as an official area of focus for our service efforts in 2020, but Rotary and Rotaract members have carried out environmental projects for decades. Rotary members around the world continue to find innovative solutions and take action.

Rotary International’s vision statement regarding the environment:

Together, we act locally and globally, using evidence to sustainably address shared environmental issues and foster harmony between people and nature.

Rotary’s approach to protecting the environment revolves around local, long-term service projects in three main areas: freshwater protection, watershed restoration, and sustainable land use. We recently partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme on a global environmental initiative, Community Action for Fresh Water. It empowers Rotary members to restore, protect, and sustain their local freshwater ecosystems.

The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, the Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species, and the Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group all help Rotary members plan environmental service projects and build awareness of environmental issues. Rotary also has at least 40 eco clubs around the world that focus their service on sustaining the environment.

Members of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, and other volunteers plant prairie grasses along the Milwaukee River. The club led an initiative to transform industrial land along the river into an arboretum.