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Renewable energy
Celebrate Earth Day, April 22
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This Sunday is Earth Day — an annual, international celebration of environmental awareness. It began in 1970 in the era of hippies and “flower power,” and some consider it the “birthday” of modern environmentalism.
Like most “holidays,” Earth Day can have different meanings for different people. We still don’t agree on whether or not global warming is a trend and whether climate change is something humans can have a measurable impact on, but many find benefits in “going green.” Conserving resources and using renewable energy is actually a paradigm for all ages.
We can see this from a historical perspective by visiting the Barton County Historical Village and Museum, which will be open from 1-5 p.m. on Earth Day (and every Sunday this time of year). Its “People of the Wind” exhibit features a wind-powered electric generator from the 1930s. “Stories Along the Central Flyway” includes early recorded efforts in natural resource conservation, and the museum is showing some of Robert Button’s detailed woodcarvings of birds found at Cheyenne Bottoms.
An event worth taking in Sunday is the Earth Day Celebration at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, from 1:30-5 p.m. There will be a number of activities for all ages, and at 3 p.m. a rehabilitated bald eagle will be released.
Visit one of these attractions, or find your own way to reflect on the environment this weekend.

Susan Thacker