Oh, say can you see… green?
Presidents Day (also known as Washington’s birthday), is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Although the day was created to celebrate George Washington, somewhere along the line, Abraham Lincoln was added as an honoree. Some Americans assume that the holiday is meant to honor all of the presidents… while others are just glad for a day off (and don’t think much about the who’s or the why’s).
Regardless of the original intent of the day, we think it’s a great time to highlight a few of the environmental accomplishments of some of our former leaders (and to look forward to the green goals of our new president). If your family or school celebrates President’s Day, perhaps some of these facts will inspire you to do a special eco-focused project this year.
William Taft - the first president to own an electric car (a Baker Electric).
Theodore Roosevelt - Known as the “conservation president,” he established the Forest Service, 18 national monuments, the first National Bird Preserve, as well as 194 million acres of national forest land. One of Roosevelt’s presidential cars was also electric.
Woodrow Wilson - Signed laws to protect water from mining industry waste and, during World War I, used sheep to “mow” the White House lawn. (The wool was sold with profits supporting the Red Cross.)
Lyndon Johnson - Introduced 1965′s Highway Beautification Act and legislation aimed at conserving and creating clean air, land, water, and wilderness.
Richard Nixon - Started the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and created numerous laws/acts to protect the land and its inhabitants including the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act, the 1970 Clean Air Act Extension, the 1972 Clean Water Act, and the 1973 Endangered Species Act.
Jimmy Carter - Developed new energy policies
Bill Clinton - Created 17 national monuments, totaling 4.6 million acres.
Barack Obama- Appointed Nobel Prize winner Steven Chu as new Secretary of Energy and promises to place the environment (i.e. climate change and green energy), as well as creating green jobs, at the top of his presidential agenda. Was the first to celebrate green with an eco-considerate inauguration.
Looking for President’s Day crafts* for kids? Check out these websites:
Show Mom the Money
* When crafting green, use materials that are re-used and re-cycled as well as the least toxic for your family and the environment.
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