St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

Remembering the Father of Earth Day

A visit to Senator Gaylord Nelson's Wisconsin grave provides an occasion to remember his legacy of the Wild & Scenic St. Croix.

By Jonathan Moore | April 22, 2013 | 2 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram

Jonathan Moore is Park Ranger — Partnerships & Volunteers, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Riverway staff and Charlie Clark visit Gaylord Nelson's gravesite.

Riverway staff and Charlie Clark visit Gaylord Nelson’s gravesite.

Park staff at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway recently visited the grave of Senator Gaylord Nelson in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, to pay tribute to the founder of Earth Day.  Here in the small North Woods town of Clear Lake, Nelson was born and attended school.  In this landscape of woods and water, Gaylord also gained an early appreciation for the natural environment.

As the mayor’s son, Nelson followed in his father’s footsteps, going on to become a state senator, Wisconsin’s governor, and a U.S. Senator.  During his thirty-two years in elected office, stewardship of natural resources was his passion.  He authored legislation to preserve the Appalachian Trail and to create a national hiking trail system.  He was also instrumental in the passage of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Wilderness Act, Alaska Lands Act and the National Environmental Education Act.  In Wisconsin, he is perhaps most fondly remembered for the creation of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

“It gives me hope that future generations of children will be able to paddle the same rivers, the St. Croix and the Namekagon, that Gaylord paddled in his youth,” reflected Charlie Clark, one of Nelson’s close, lifelong friends.  “To think that these children will experience these rivers in the same condition Gaylord did—clean and free-flowing—is truly inspiring.”

Nelson’s best known legacy may be his founding of Earth Day, a national day to focus the public’s attention on the environment.  The first Earth Day was observed by twenty million people, ten percent of the American public at the time.  Today, more than one billion people participate in Earth Day, according to the Earth Day Network, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

“To me, the central message of Earth Day is to leave the world a better place,” said Superintendent Chris Stein, “and one doesn’t have to go very far to see how Senator Nelson did that.  Here on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the St. Croix River is still a wild and scenic place.  That’s a testament to Senator Nelson’s work.  It’s also a charge for the National Park Service and the American people to see that it stays that way.”

The first Earth Day was observed forty-three years ago today, April 22, 1970.

Conservation news on St. Croix 360 is supported by the St. Croix River Association, which works to protect, restore and celebrate the St. Croix River and its watershed.

Related articles:

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Features

Healthy headwaters: Upper St. Croix tributaries are mostly pristine — and need protection

Replacing damaged dam will restore fish habitat and a popular lake

Starstruck: Communities seek to keep night skies dark above the St. Croix River

St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest News

County asks for feedback on plans for new park on river north of Hudson

Cities can help migrating birds on their way by planting more trees and turning lights off at night

Minnesota DNR seeks input on potential waterfowl hunting changes

Speakers will discuss racial justice topics in St. Croix Valley

New St. Croix River boat ramp to open next year

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.