This week marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In 1970, the first Earth Day drew 20 million people together in support of a more environmentally sustainable future. At the time, that was 10% of the total population of the United States. We can trace the roots of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program back to that day, which set in motion a decade of environmental reforms and grassroots work for a greener future.
In 1972, the Clean Water Act established pollution control programs and protections for surface water quality. In 1987, Congress created the National Estuary Program through an amendment to the Clean Water Act. In 1995, decades of grassroots conservation engagement by our local community resulted in the designation of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, the first private nonprofit established through the National Estuary Program. (Of Marshes and Morros, an award-winning documentary short by local filmmakers, tells the story of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program’s foundation.)
So, while we believe that every day is Earth Day, we are also grateful for this annual opportunity to acknowledge that the work we do together in Morro Bay is part of a long-running movement for better environmental health around the world. Just as our work in the Morro Bay estuary and surrounding lands benefits both people and wildlife, the global movement to reduce carbon emissions and support more sustainable habits benefits every living thing on the earth.
Today, in the spirit of the local good adding to the greater good, we’re sharing photographs that show the beauty of our small corner of the world as a reminder of the beauty that exists in wild places around the globe.
Happy Earth Day, everyone. Thank you for being in the estuary’s corner; we’re glad to have you here.
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Help us protect and restore the Morro Bay estuary!
- Donate to the Estuary Program today and support our work in the field, the lab, and beyond.
The Estuary Program is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. We depend on funding from grants and generous donors to continue our work. - Support us by purchasing estuary-themed gear from ESTERO. This locally owned and operated company donates 20% of proceeds from its Estuary clothing line and 100% of Estuary decal proceeds to the Estuary Program. Thank you, ESTERO!
- Purchase items from the the Estuary Program’s store on Zazzle. Zazzle prints and ships your items, and the Estuary Program receives 10% of the proceeds. Choose from mugs, hats, t-shirts, and even fanny packs (they’re back!) with our fun Estuary Octopus design, our classic Estuary Program logo, or our Mutts for the Bay logo.