The federal Every Student Succeeds Act, passed in December 2015 to take effect in the 2017-2018 school year, is the first law in U.S. history to include language that supports environmental education. Plans call for it to be integrated with current state standards, graduation requirements, teacher development and assessment, funding sources and policy action steps.

EducationWorld.com offers lesson plan ideas for students. For example, students from third grade through high school might collect their household junk mail and explore ways to reduce it. Those in kindergarten through eighth grade may create a binder of information on endangered species that includes maps, animal facts and threats to their survival, exploring causal interconnections throughout the planet. Students can also build a cafeteria compost pile or find ways to improve their school’s recycling program.

Kathleen Rogers, president of the nonprofit Earth Day Network, on EarthDayNetwork.org, says, “We need to promote environmental consciousness into our children’s curricula so they are able to analyze problems, think critically, balance needs and take informed action.”

Earth Day isn’t just one day. Aware citizens can take a rewarding action every day. Help our towns celebrate and forward its progress toward sustainability at these local Earth Day 2017 events.

Earth Day Events

Friday, April 21, 4-8pm; and Saturday, April 22. City of Poughkeepsie community-wide celebration. children’s activities, live music, local food, free bicycle repair, volunteer sign-up opportunity, Clean-ups. Info: Facebook.com/PoughkeepsieEarthDay.earthdayevents

Saturday, April 22 – 11am-4pm. This year’s theme is food sustainability, including such issues as food waste, cooking and food preservation, nutrition, edible gardens, backyard food and permaculture, and access to food. Activities and educational opportunities aligned with each area will be highlighted throughout the Festival. Louis Engel Waterfront Park. Info: greenossining.org/earth-day-festival

Saturday, April 22 – 11am-3pm. A spring celebration featuring a reservoir clean up, live music, an orienteering challenge, nature education, a StoryWalk® with Larchmont author Todd Harrington, crafts and art exhibit, face painting, refreshments, raffl e and more. Reservoir clean-up from 9-11am. Sheldrake Environmental Center; 685 Weaver Street in Larchmont. Info/ tickets: sheldrakecenter.org

2017 Sunday, April 23 – 9am-2pm. A charity run/walk and block party. Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute and Irvington’s iASKCAB Coalition run, walk and rise for a healthier and more connected world. Scenic Hudson Park, 29 Bridge St. Irvington. Info: efl i-life.org/color

Sunday, April 23 – 12noon-4pm. A day of volunteer projects and workshops at the Greenburgh Nature Center to learn ways to care for the earth. 99 Dromore Rd, Scarsdale. Info: 914.723.3470; greenburghnaturecenter.org.

April 29 – 10am-3pm. Live music, education, crafts, family activities, yoga, Blue Pig ice cream and much more. Vassallo Park, Croton-on-Hudson. Info: crotononhudson-ny.gov.

Saturday, May 13 – 10am-3pm. Features live entertainment for all ages, an exhibition of local green organizations, a small farmers’ market, raffles, and Earth Day Awards for sustainability/recycling initiatives presented by County Executive Rob Astorino. Kensico Dam Plaza.