Celebrating Earth Day

WASHINGTON — Leaders from Indiana and across the United States celebrated Earth Day on April 22.

Here are a few highlights that they shared:

“Farmers and ranchers are some of the original conservationists. We rely on healthy soil and clean water to provide our world with food, fuel and fiber. This Earth Day we are continuing our work to implement climate-smart practices so we can leave the farm better than we found it.”

Zippy Duvall, president

American Farm Bureau Federation

“On Earth Day, I want to thank America’s farmers, ranchers and foresters who safeguard our nation’s lands through sustainable management, protect our soil, water and air and provide a safe, nutritious and abundant food supply.”

Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture

“Soil is one of our world’s most crucial natural resources. We must do everything we can to keep our waterways clean and our soils healthy.”

Suzanne Crouch, lieutenant governor

Indiana

Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics encourages people to enjoy the outdoors without leaving a trace. The organization shared principles on how to be mindful of the environment.

1. Travel and camp on durable surfaces like established trails, picnic sites and campgrounds.

2. Walk single file in the middle of a trail to minimize trail erosion.

3. Dispose of waste properly by using designated containers or by packing in and packing out all trash, leftover food and litter.

4. Protect what you find and preserve the past by leaving cultural or historic structures and artifacts, as well as rocks, plants and other natural features as you found them.

5. Minimize campfire impacts by using only camp stoves or established campfire rings. Burn only sticks found on the ground. Put out fires completely and scatter the cold ashes.

6. Respect wildlife by observing from a distance. Never feed animals, store food and trash securely and control pets or leave them at home.

7. Be considerate of other visitors by being courteous, yielding to others on the trail and taking breaks away from trails and other visitors. Speak in a quiet voice and try not to make loud noises.

4-H offers educational activities built around the Leave No Trace principles. Learn more at 4-h.org/about/4-h-at-home/leave-no-trace.