Earth Day gathering planned at UNLV

Tuesday, April 21, 1998 | 10 a.m.

In 1970, Sen. Gaylord Nelson, D-Wis., arranged a nationwide environmental teach-in to bring so much attention to the environment that it would shake up the political arena.

That year an estimated 20 million Americans participated in peaceful demonstrations across the country.

Twenty-eight years later, the April 22 annual event known as Earth Day is celebrated worldwide to promote environmental education.

Locally, UNLV and the Environmental Protection Agency will be sponsoring an Earth Day event Wednesday on the UNLV campus mall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

George Brillis, EPA Earth Day coordinator, said that this year's theme, "Our Global Park: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," goes beyond the traditional recycling theme.

Brillis said the focus is on reducing the amount of products brought into the environment rather than bringing products to the environment that need to be recycled.

"The usual theme is to recycle plastic or aluminum foil and cans," he said. "But this time, rather than using recyclable products, such as aluminum cans, foil and plastic bottles, use a plastic container with lids that can be washed and reused.

"Instead of wrapping your sandwich in plastic, bring in a plastic container, the same goes for drink containers."

Kathy Laukner, program coordinator for environmental training at UNLV, said exhibitors, such as Nevada Power Co., Sierra Club and Wild Oats will speak about their issues dealing with the environment to children and other attendees.

About 2,000 school children kindergarten through grade 12 are scheduled to attend the event. The public is invited.