For many people, every day is Earth Day. From recycling, to using less paper, to driving hybrids, to planting trees, to lobbying on Capitol Hill, for some people there is no end to making this a greener and healthier planet.

But once a year, there's a day set aside for everyone to pay attention to the planet – Earth Day. Created in 1970, Earth Day was first celebrated by 20 million people, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That year, President Richard Nixon also created the EPA with a mission to protect the environment.

"Public opinion polls indicate that a permanent change in national priorities followed Earth Day 1970," according to an EPA Journal article from 1990. "When polled in May 1971, 25 percent of the U.S. public declared protecting the environment to be an important goal, a 2,500 percent increase over 1969. That percentage has continued to grow, albeit more slowly, so it is fair to say that the ideals espoused on April 22, 1970, however naive and simplistic they were in many ways, have left an enduring legacy."

Also in 1970, Congress amended the Clean Air Act to set national air quality, auto emission and anti-pollution standards. In 35-plus years, efforts to protect the environment have continued. Government actions include: Congress banned ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste in 1988; in 1990, Congress required states to demonstrate progress in improving air quality; and in 2005 the EPA issued the Clean Air Interstate Rule and the Clean Air Mercury Rule. (For more on Earth Day's history and U.S. environmental actions, visit www.epa.gov/earthday.)

While Earth Day is officially April 22, celebrations get under way in Richmond this weekend. Here's a look at what's happening. If you don't see your event listed, send an email to david.hylton@corp.richmond.com to have it included.

April 19

Manchester's Peace, Love and Planet Earth (updated April 18)
Earth Day, The 14th Street Fish Festival and Arbor Day are all rolled into one big event for the annual Earth Day Celebration in Manchester.  This is the third year the event has been held in the Manchester neighborhood, between the south end of the Mayo (14th Street) Bridge, along Hull Street up to Art Works.  Environmental exhibits, nonprofit demonstrations, music, art, education, activities and entertainment will fill the day. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Canal cruises will be available for $5 for adults, $3 for children. As part of the event, the city of Richmond will receive its 17th Tree City USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The presentation will take place at 11 a.m. at the City ShowMobile Stage at Second and Decatur streets.

Short Pump Town Center
Shoppers should prepare for an eco-makeover. The first 700 guests to bring 10 plastic water bottles for recycling will receive a reusable canvas tote bag that says, "I am Eco Chic." Shoppers will enjoy a large reproduction of a Fabergé Egg, a work of art created by The Art Institute of Washington, D.C., from 836 recycled plastic water bottles. The first 200 guests who "Pledge to Make the Switch" from regular incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) will receive a free CFL bulb. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Plaza, guests can participate in and watch an eco-friendly fashion show hosted by the VCU School of Fashion & Design, enjoy musical entertainment by Southwind bluegrass band, Eco Chic consumer educational displays and activities, and much more. Local environmental groups and organizations will offer tips in their fields at their green booths. Short Pump Town Center will donate 5 percent of gift card sales for the day to The Sierra Club. For more information, call 804-360-1700.