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Earth Week 2022 Is Here Earth Week 2022; This week marks the 52 years since the first Earth Day.

This week marks the 52 years since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970.

By Jared Reese

[Jared Reese]
Happy Earth Week from NCC News, as we prepare to celebrate Earth Day this coming Friday, April 22, I wanted to show you a few of my favorite spots around the area to celebrate the day. A day that all of us know of, but many might not know about. The very first Earth Day was on April 22, 1970, making Friday the 52nd annual. Earth day came to life when Senator Gaylord Nelson wanted to peacefully protest against harmful practices such as toxic black clouds from factories and waste being dumped into our rivers. Over 20 million Americans had their voices heard on the first Earth Day, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency came to life December, 1970. The Clean Air and Safe Drinking Water Acts were some of many enacted into law within ten years of the first Earth Day. Today, Earth Day serves to remind us all to love and respect our earth, we only have one.

Syracuse, NY (NCC News) – Friday marks 52 years of Earth Day.  It is a day that most residents know of, but many might not know about. Check out the video above to learn the history of the day.

Here is Jared Reese’s Top 4 list of favorite spots to go to celebrate Earth Day around Central New York

1: Green Lakes State Park – Fayetteville

Green Lakes State Park has over 10 miles of walking trails.
© 2022 Maria Savani

My all-time favorite spot near Syracuse is only 20 minutes away from the university! This state park has absolutely everything but my favorite has to be the hiking trail around Green Lake.

My favorite spot about this place is the amount of geocaching, there is so much,  Geocaching is a great hobby where you can find little hidden logs around the world and write your name in them.  You can even swap trinkets from what has been left by the people before you.

Green Lake State Park is a beautiful spot year-round, I have gone both in the summer and winter and loved it both times. The trails are awesome, the beach is a great spot to hang out and swim, and there are so many other aspects to this state park that I haven’t even explored yet.

2: Ithaca Gorges

This spot is literally gorges.  My friends and I go cliff jumping and it is some of the most fun I have ever had around Central New York.

There are so many sights to see, so many waterfalls, and so many cool rock formations. I was not even sure what a gorge was until I heard about this place.

3: Skaneateles

I just think this place is beautiful. As far as nature goes, Skaneateles Lake is amazing to look at at all times of the day. There are so many restaurants and things to do around here that are right on the water. It is a great way to take in a beautiful body of water around us, as there is not too much to do on Onondaga Lake.

Anyela’s Winery is also right around the corner from the lake, where there is beautiful outdoor seating and you can walk along trails through the winery which is an amazing (and very giving) part of nature.

4: Thornden Park Amphitheater – Syracuse

Thornden Park is located in in the University Area.  When I was diagnosed with COVID-19 in November of 2020, I was only allowed to leave my house to go on walks once a day. I would walk the Thornden Park trails every single day to get my mind off of being trapped inside a room, and it was the perfect escape.

One of my favorite spots on the trail is the Amphitheater. It is awesome for a picnic, hanging with friends, and studying on a nice day, there is so much space and it really is a beautiful area right in our own backyard! And they just celebrated their 100-year anniversary.

The locations earning Honorable Mention

Beak & Skiff – An apple orchard in Lafayette

Onondaga Creek Walk – A trail that begins in Armory Square

Chittenango Falls State Park

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