LEG April 25 Newsletter
Earth Day, Volunteering, Upcoming Events
The clocks have sprung forward, the evenings lighter, spring has arrived with a wonderful display of blossoms, primrose and dafodils, welcome to the April Longridge Environment Group Newsletter.
The streets are learning
the language of plum blossom.
The trees have spoken.
Simon Armitage. Blossomise. 
Earth Day: Environmental Awakening and Future Stewardship
Back in 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson, troubled by the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, channeled his concern into action. He envisioned a day that would harness the energy of student anti-war protests and focus it on an emerging consciousness around our fragile environment.
On April 22, 1970, Earth Day was born. Twenty million Americans, nearly 10 percent of the nation's population at the time, took to streets, parks, and stadiums, united by a common cause: to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of landmark environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. It was a day that transcended political alignment, gaining support from Republicans and Democrats alike, wealthy and poor, urban dwellers and farmers, business leaders and labor activists.
By 1990, the movement had gone global, awareness grew, as did Earth Day's reach, mobilizing 200 million people across 141 countries. It lifted environmental issues onto the world stage, paving the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Each year, Earth Day adopts different themes, addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Communities worldwide celebrate with tree plantings, clean-up initiatives, educational workshops, and advocacy campaigns. From humble beginnings, Earth Day has evolved into a catalyst for ongoing environmental action, inspiring changes in policy and individual behavior throughout the year.
What started as a day of environmental education has transformed into a global movement of environmental consciousness, reminding us that the health of our planet depends on our collective stewardship.
April 22, 2025 marks the 55th Earth Day. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is Our Power, Our Planet, inviting everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy, and to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.
What will you do for Earth Day?
Volunteering with LEG
LEG provides brilliant opportunities to volunteer and do something really positive for the local environment and meet with other like minded folk. We have a range of exciting projects in collaboration with Longridge Town Council. Whatever your interests, skills and time availability there is something for everyone and welcome your involvement. We would love to meet you.
We have two regular meetings a month. Our Social Saturdays on the 2nd Saturday in the month is usually a coffee meet or a walk and talk. It is always great chat, inspirational and sure to raise your awareness around ecology, climate and the local environment.
Then our Active Sundays usually 3rd Sunday in the month sees members of LEG being active around Longridge on a range of activities from tree planting to litter picking.
We also have great opportunities to get involved and help plan activities.
LEG as also a registered Social Prescribing Link Organisation.
If you would like to volunteer please do email us or get contact us through WhatsApp or Facebook, (all details below)
LEAF
LEAF (Longridge Environment Action Forum) will be meeting again at the beginning of May to update on current activities and plan new green and environment initiatives. If you are part of a Longridge organisation with a remit or concern for the environment and would like to get involved, please email us (address below)
Notice Board and mini Book Loan Library
Did you know we have LEG Notice Board and Book Loan Library, sited in the council office corridor? We are looking for someone to take on the role of maintaining this to ensure it remains interesting and up to date and possibly to find it a new home. Could this be you? If so please email us (address below)
Next Social Saturday
Our next Social Saturday 12 April will be a walk and talk, starting and finishing in John Smiths Playing Field. Meet 10am at the Miyawaki Forest. Details shared via Whataspp.
Next Active Sundays
Our next active Sunday will be 27th April for maintaining planters. Details shared via Whataspp.
Looking Ahead
We have a number of events coming up in the year
LEG AGM on the 10th May. More soon but make a note in your diary.
Great Big Green Week 7th-15th June- We are looking to have a pop-up pond on 7th June, encourage shops to have a green display theme and hold a talk and or film night in town. Get involved and help us plan.
Looking around
Spring Open Day - Explore the Dobcroft Nature Reserve
Discover the beauty of Dobcroft, a stunning 5-acre nature reserve. Take a guided walk or wander at your own pace to explore the wildlife, plants, and natural wonders that make this space so special. Saturday 5th April from 11am. Full details here
Ribble Rivers Trust are tree planting at Holmes Farm on Friday April 4th / Saturday April 5th and they are looking for volunteers to come along and help. You can do as little or as much as you like. To sign up, use this link below and scroll down to the Upcoming Events section at the bottom and select your preferred date. For more information you can contact James at RRT directly
Reconnect Festival 2025 … reconnecting our shared humanity with nature. The theme of the 2025 Festival is -‘METAMORPHORY’ - Emerging into new ways of being through storytelling, stimulating talks and embodied workshops. May 17/18, Thornley. More details and tickets here
Keep in Touch
A reminder that you can …
And we look forward to connecting at our next Social Saturday and Active Sundays. Details will be shared via our LEG WhatsApp
Supporting LEG
For time and other reasons, we are aware that not all can join our activities, so we have made it easier to support us with a donation. Simply use the QR code below and you will be taken to our Stripe page where you can donate. All gratefully received, no matter how small.
Thank You
Thanks for reading our LEG Newsletter!