Across America and around the world, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated Thursday, April 22nd.

Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970 to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

In Russell County and throughout Kentucky, many activities focused on environmental issues are planned in an effort to cultivate sustainable living.

Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

To encourage folks to get outdoors and enjoy the bounty of Kentucky’s natural wonders,

April 23rd through April 25th is Campers’ Appreciation Weekend at all state parks with campgrounds.

Parks will offer two nights camping for the price of one and many parks have scheduled special events and activities for the weekend.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park will host its Fifth Annual Geocache Weekend April 23rd through April 25th.

Geocaching is an adventurous, high tech game of treasure hunting using GPS devices to find hidden containers called geocaches.

Registration is $20 per couple, $10 for individual or child and includes event caches, registration for door prizes, and various first-to-find surprises.

To pre-register, contact Robert Myers at 270-343-3111 or roberta.myers@ky.gov. Participants must bring their own GPS device.

Saturday, April 24th from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, organizers of their 2010 Earth Day Celebration hope to inspire living healthier and protecting the environment by offering hands on outdoor activities.

Attendees of the free event may tour the hatchery, take guided nature hikes, learn the basics of fly tying, and check out aquatic animals and plants in a wetlands area.

Local agencies will have information booths to educate folks on their role in protecting natural resources in Russell County.

At the end of the day, families can continue their celebration at home by planting tree seedlings offered free at the event.

Rounding out the weekend’s festivities is Somerset Community College’s annual Earth Day Celebration scheduled Sunday, April 25th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT on the north campus of Somerset Community College.

The event features a butterfly house and information about plants that attract butterflies.

Also a limited number of plants used for butterfly gardens will be given away at the butterfly house.

Other exhibits at the celebration are the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, the Southwestern High School Raptor Club, an agricultural exhibit featuring lambs, chickens and Sky the Border Collie and much more.

Admission is free to visit the many exhibits and to learn how to be good stewards of the environment.