MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- The depot’s Child Development Center was filled with gasps of excitement Tuesday during an annual Earth Day event.
Sue Miller’s Cruisin’ Critters, a mobile hands-on education program, came to the CDC to conduct an awareness event with the intent to educate the children about the importance of recycling and respecting the Earth.
“We like to center the Earth Day events around the kids because we feel they will benefit most from it,” said Judy Michel, teacher at the depot’s CDC. “Children are the future of environmental protection, and it is important they know how to do it.”
During the event the children received briefs on the many furry and scaly creatures presented during the class. Miller said by incorporating animals in the Earth Day celebration, the children were able to obtain a deeper understanding of the dangers of polluting and not recycling have on Earth and its wildlife.
“If you can teach a kid to respect an animal and not fear it, then that respect will carry on to the environment,” said Miller, owner of Cruisin’ Critters. “If they know that hurting the environment will hurt the animals they won’t do it.”
Earth Day was officially started in 1970 by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson in the belief that people needed a day to recognize environmental concerns.
There are several ways to help the planet such as planting trees to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, creating artwork from recycled items, or making birdhouses and birdfeeders to encourage the local bird population. Each year the depot hosts events to highlight environmental preservation such as the ‘Clean up on the Bay’ event in March. In an effort to reinforce the children’s awareness on the importance of Earth Day, the Environmental Office is open to suggestions for future events.
For more information on Earth Day and Earth Day events, visit www.iloveacleansandiego.com, or call the depot’s environmental protection specialist at (619) 524-4363.