Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing April 2026 as Earth Month
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim April 2026 as Earth Month.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proclaim April 2026 as Earth Month.
Staff Contact:
Melissa McKee, Assistant to the City Council, 360.753.8443
Presenter(s):
Dave Sederberg, Earthbound Productions
Background and Analysis:
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, included an environmental teach-in that educated Americans about environmental and conservation issues.
20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to call for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized demonstrations and teach-ins against the deterioration of the environment.
Earth Day 1970 activated a bipartisan spirit that motivated the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed.
Earth Day had reached its status as the largest secular observance in the world, celebrated by more than a billion people every year, and a day of action that changes human behavior and provokes policy changes.
Each year, the City of Olympia recognizes the entire month of April as Earth Month and urges others to do the same.
Climate Analysis:
Proclaiming April 2026 as Earth Month supports the City’s Climate goals by elevating community awareness of climate change, environmental stewardship, and sustainability practices.
This proclamation aligns with the City’s Climate Action Plan by encouraging participation in events and activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote ecological restoration, and strengthen community engagement around climate resilience.
While the proclamation itself does not directly reduce emissions, it contributes to long-term climate actions by fostering public education, encouraging behavior change, and supporting a culture of environmental responsibility.
Equity Analysis:
Earth Month activities provide opportunities for broad community participation and can strengthen connections among residents from diverse backgrounds.
Recognizing Earth Month can help increase access to environmental education for communities that have historically faced environmental burdens and fewer opportunities to participate in sustainability efforts. Staff and partners are encouraged to ensure Earth Month programming is accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant.
The proclamation supports equity goals by promoting community-wide benefits related to clean air, clean water, and heathy ecosystems.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Earth Month is widely celebrated across Olympia, highlighted by long-standing community traditions such as the Procession of the Species and the annual raising of Earth flags by local organizations. These activities demonstrate strong neighborhood and citywide interest in environmental education, creativity, and stewardship. The proclamation reinforces community values and supports ongoing engagement in sustainability initiatives.
Financial Impact:
No known financial impact.
Options:
1. Recognize April 2026 as Earth Month.
2. Do not recognize April 2026 as Earth Month.
3. Recognize Earth Month 2026 at another time.
Attachments:
Proclamation