First Earth Day proclamation passed by Dripping Springs

The city of Dripping Springs officially acknowledged Earth Day this past week, passing a proclamation to recognize the annual event on April 22.

The proclamation was voted on at the city council meeting on Tuesday, April 5, during National Native Plant Month. The resolution was passed as the result of efforts by multiple local groups, including Hays County Master Naturalist, Hays County Friends of the Night Sky, the Native Plant Society of Texas (Hill Country Chapter) and Audubon Texas. Given Dripping Springs’ status as an International Dark Sky Community and a “Bird City,” the proclamation was a signifier of continued efforts by the city to prioritize the local environment and landscape.

“This annual celebration is a reminder that everyone has a role to play every day to help address the challenges and create positive local environmental protections to pro mote sustainability efforts for current and future generations,” the proclamation stated. “Our region is known for its varied ecological regions, limestone geology, canyons brimmed with oak and Ashe-junipers, clear creeks, spring-fed rivers and natural spaces… The City Council invites our citizens to increase their awareness and support of local efforts to preserve and protect the many wonders of our region for generations to come.”

The first Earth Day was proclaimed in April of 1970 to educate people on responsible environmental stewardship, protect the environment and conserve resources. In 2009, the United Nations declared April 22 to be International Mother Earth Day. Earth Day is now widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action.

“In Hays County, there’s rapid development, and we have to raise awareness about the importance of our local environment and its native plants,” said Laura Legett, Hill Country Chapter president of the Native Plant Society of Texas. “Losing native plants can lead to the loss of whole ecosystems, water quality and air quality. It really is a public health issue.”

The Native Plant Society of Texas primarily focuses on public outreach and education, offering opportunities for self-education as well as presentations.

“People need to understand that there are alternatives to the traditional landscape plants used in development,” Legett said. “Native plants can be just as beautiful as hyper-manicured lawns, and they are best designed to thrive in their particular climate.”

“Anyone can help make an impact on Earth Day, whether you have a big yard or an apartment balcony,” she continued. “The city of Dripping Springs, through its development agreements and outreach programs, is promoting the local landscape. You don’t find that everywhere.”