Earth Week 2021

What can you do for Earth Week 2021?

Dear Black Warrior Riverkeeper supporters,

I hope you and your families are having a happy and healthy Earth Week. Tomorrow marks the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day, when over 20 million Americans gathered on April 22, 1970 and prompted the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

I wrote to you a year ago about COVID-19 altering Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s normal Earth Month routine, such as the postponement of many Earth Day-themed events including our largest annual fundraiser, Earthbound’s Earthfest. Unfortunately, many of the 2020’s crises — including the pandemic, political hostility, and racial injustice — persist in 2021. Beyond that troubling list, another threat continues both locally and globally: pollution. And yet there is hope for the Earth and our local communities if you join us in taking action.

Here is one example of something simple, safe, and impactful you can do wherever you are this week. Individuals and small groups can join us and Cahaba Riverkeeper, our fellow member of Waterkeepers Alabama, for the “Trash Bag Challenge” throughout Earth Week. Pick a litter spot, clean it up, share your work on social media, tag both Waterkeeper organizations, and use the hashtags #trashbagchallenge and #earthday. Everyone who participates will get a Riverkeeper sticker, and one lucky person will win a surprise!

If you prefer to organize a larger group cleanup, or you would like to join the public cleanups on our calendar, learn more about Riverkeeper cleanups here. And if you might like to pursue other community service opportunities with us, check out our newly updated volunteer page: blackwarriorriver.org/volunteer/.

Despite our new “War on Litter” through widespread cleanups and the successful promotion of “Litter Gitter” trash collection devices, Black Warrior Riverkeeper remains as concerned and proactive as ever when it comes to other pollution problems. For example, we recommend you read our recent summary about the ongoing threat of coal ash pollution, and sign our coal ash petition at AlabamaCoalAsh.org. We also recently expanded our list of various ways you can take action for the environment and your community.

If you enjoy any part of the 17-county Black Warrior River watershed this Earth Week or beyond, please continue to report pollution to us as we continue to patrol waterways, test water quality, review polluters’ discharge reports, and file lawsuits to hold violators accountable.

Finally, if you appreciate any of our efforts to promote cleaner water for the sake of public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit. I set up a Black Warrior Riverkeeper fundraiser on Facebook for Earth Week, and you can always donate on our website or mail a check to our office. As a grassroots organization, we are only as strong as our membership — donors and volunteers — and we never stop appreciating our members. Happy Earth Week to all!

For cleaner water,

Charles Scribner
Executive Director
Black Warrior Riverkeeper