April 22 is Earth Day

Today is the 41st Earth Day. During the past four decades, the goal of Earth Day has become ever more important. At the Smithsonian, we have hundreds of buildings on thousands of acres here and abroad, so we all have a responsibility to do our part as good stewards of the earth. Our strategic plan reminds us that understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet is an essential part of our Institution’s mission.

Across the Institution, in construction, cleaning, building design, landscaping, transportation, storage, energy use, recycling and more, staff and volunteers are making a concerted effort to be more sustainable. We can all help. When not in use, please turn off your computers and your lights, recycle as much as you can, and explore our many gardens and open spaces.

Many of our units are holding events to celebrate Earth Day; for example, today the Zoo has public programs to celebrate Earth Day, the American Indian Museum will show a special screening of the film “River of Renewal” followed by a discussion with the filmmakers, and the National Museum of Natural History’s Ocean Portal reminds us that 71 percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water.

To learn more about what you can do and to get directly involved in our sustainability efforts, visit the  Sustainability Committee’s website.

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