Youth help to keep a 50+-year-old environmental tradition alive
Saturday, May 1 —With Green Up Day celebrating its 51st year, attracting new generations and keeping the activity of cleaning up litter exciting is an ongoing commitment and fun sort of challenge for Green Up Vermont coordinators.
“It is so important to attract Vermonters of all ages which means being flexible enough to try new ideas and ‘be’ where people are interested in looking,” said Green Up Vermont’s Executive Director Kate Alberghini. “We are present on social media channels which have a pretty good following enabling us to share the many great stories of our corporate partners and how our towns are Greening Up. Our app also attracts mobile users to easily work and communicate with their teams in real time on Green Up Day.
Woodsy Owl
“This year, assisted by Ali Drew, UVM Environmental Studies major, we are launching our first TikTok campaign to get the middle school to young adult age bracket to share how they view Green Up in a very fun, story-telling way. To attract the elementary aged kids, we are excited to team up with the U.S. Forest Service’s very own Woodsy Owl — the mascot who chirps ‘Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute’!” said Alberghini.
“We are really excited to be working with Green Up Vermont to heighten awareness around Green Up Day. Woodsy shares a very similar conservation ethic and wants to spread his message of ‘Lend a hand! Care for the land!’ in as many places as possible as he reaches the age of 50 this year. What he really wants for his birthday is a healthier planet and working with groups like Green Up Vermont is a natural step toward getting there,” said Briana Graham, public affairs specialist for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.
By providing the various levels of fun around picking up litter, Green Up Day will continue for generations.
“The beauty of Green Up Day is that anybody can do it — regardless of age, where you live, race, political views — none of that matters. And taking care of where we get to live, work, and play is something we can all make a difference in,” said Alberghini.
“It simply feels good to give back, at any age,” she said.
For more information visit greenupvermont.org.
