United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Research and
Development
Washington DC 20460
EPA/620/R-00/005K
April, 2000
Coastal Communications
Earth Day Outreach and Education Efforts
Thirty years ago, in response to various national environmental crises, Earth Day was established as an
annual event to recognize the importance of the world around us. The U.S. EPA, created in December
of 1970 in the wake of the first Earth Day, is mandated by Congress to protect the Nation's air, land
and water. There is a close and strong association between Earth Day and the role of the EPA in protecting human
health and the environment. Many advances have been made since EPA's creation including reduced toxic air
emissions, regulation of pesticides and establishment of public health standards for drinking water. These and
many other advances could not have been possible without the support of EPA's scientific expertise and an educated
public. EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) conducts outreach efforts in a variety of ways such as
Career Days, school visits and judging science fairs, but perhaps none are as enjoyable as the open houses, displays,
and demonstrations conducted in celebration of Earth Day. Some of ORD's best "grass roots" outreach efforts are
reflected in the enthusiasm of young students and the public attending these open houses. ORD research Divisions
enjoy collaborations in these events with EPA Regional Office staff, state and local regulatory groups, Universities,
and other federal agencies such as the National Park Service, NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For more information about these and other efforts visit the National Health and Environmental Effects Research
Laboratory (NHEERL) homepage at http://WWW.epa.gov/nheerl/ or contact the following NHEERL divisions.
Gulf Ecoloav Division
Atlantic Ecology Division
Mid-Continent Ecology Division
Western Ecoloqy Division
Jim Harvev
Mimi Johnson
Phil Monson
Don Hall
850-934-9237
401-782-3028
218-529-5188
541-754-4840
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