John Muir Birthday - Earthday Celebration

Just off the busy Alhambra Avenue thoroughfare is the stately home of John Muir, father of the conservationist movement. The site is now a National Historic Site and the location of the John Muir Association’s annual Earth Day-Birthday celebration that was held on Saturday, April 16th.

Hundreds filled the grounds of the former Muir home that sits on land that originally belonged to the family of his wife Louisa Strentzel. For the celebration community and environmental organizations nestled between orchard trees and along the path that leads to the back end of the property, where a stage provided music and speakers throughout the day.  Every booth offered information, activities or items that promoted good environmental practices, or raised awareness about everything from clean air to clean water to endangered species.

John Muir himself was even there, as portrayed by National Parks Services Ranger Frank Helling. Helling’s Muir spoke in a very convincing Scottish brogue and recounted many of the American naturalist’s travels and experiences with visitors.

According to the John Muir Association’s website,

“John Muir is known as the one of the first conservationists, one whose influence is felt worldwide. Named the Father of our National Park System, Muir has inspired many generations to cherish an preserve our planet’s natural resources.”

The Association celebrates Muir’s birthday (April 21st) in conjunction with Earth Day, which is April 22nd. According to the Earth Day Network site, April 22nd “marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970."