Earth Day was first observed in 1970, when Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to introduce the issue to American public policy and agenda. Before 1970, there were no environmental protections, and corporations and people could do what they wanted with toxic chemicals, factory smoke, toxic substances and more. Before 1970, there was no Clean Air Act, no Endangered Species Lists, and no Clean Water Act, which in turn meant that there were no legal or regulatory policies in place to protect the planet.

More than 20 million Americans held demonstrations for environmental protections that year, paving the way for Earth Day to help future policies go into place to protect our planet. In December of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency was created and since then, more has been done to protect the planer from greenhouse gases and climate change.

A big part of contributing to the Earth Day revolution has to do with our home lawns and gardens, considering that you avoid the use of heavy pesticides and chemicals.

In fact, a 25 square-foot-area of healthy lawn can produce enough oxygen each day to meet the oxygen needs of one adult. They also work by cleaning the air, helping to trap runoff, prevent erosion and more. But aside from your lawn doing so much heavy lifting, you can do even more to contribute to a healthier planet by following any of the tips below!

• Plant a tree. Deforestation is a major concern for many species across the entire world. Due to over harvesting, agriculture, and more, forests are being destroyed at higher rates than ever. Although you may not be able to plant an entire rainforest of trees, you can do your part by planting one or more native trees to help offset your carbon emissions. This can be a fun activity for people of all ages, and it’s easy to do!

• Research and consider adding native flowers, shrubs, bushes, trees to your home and garden. Many ornamental species are actually invasive. Invasive plant and animal species can mess with the delicate balance of the ecosystem and kill off or seriously harm beneficial native species. By knowing what is native to your area, you can help restore and maintain that balance and protect them for future generations.

• Avoid the use of toxic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides. Not only can these pesticides kill off beneficial species, but they also can make their way into runoff that leads into streams, rivers, lakes and eventually into the ocean, where many species are also in danger. Opt for more natural remedies for weed control, unwanted pest control.

• Create a rain barrel. Rain barrels are a simple way to reduce, reuse and recycle. They work by capturing rain water that may otherwise contribute to erosion, toxic runoff and reduce water consumption and reliance on the tap for non-potable water needs, such as watering your lawn.

• Start Composting. Composting is a win-win for both you, your garden, and the environment. By composting food scraps, you can reduce your landfill amount by at least 30% and after some time, have great natural fertilizer for your garden.

By choosing to do any one of these tips, you are helping to protect our planet and other species for future generations. Happy Earth Day!