Where are these organizers today?
Werner spent his career as a biologist, becoming the first urban biologist in the United States at the Missouri Department of Conservation. He is an avid environmental volunteer, serving as a trustee for the Missouri Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and on the boards of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, the Burroughs Audubon Society, the Audubon of Kansas and Kansas City Wildlands. For many years, he co-hosted the show Nature in the City with Walt Bodine on KCUR.
“Over the past 45 years, I have been most impressed with the way corporate America has stepped up to support environmental initiatives,” Werner said. “I also see colleges and universities adding more environmental programs and degrees that will train future generations.”
Dr. George Saleh, a Kansas City gynecologist with Meritas Health Briarcliff, turned his interest in the environment to health care. He said he has seen the results of chemical exposure in his patients, and still has concerns today about the amount of chemicals that reach our waterways, and eventually our drinking water. Many pharmaceuticals that are flushed into the water system cannot be removed by purification systems.
“I only hope and pray that our children and grandchildren will have the voice of activism instilled in their minds to pursue what is best for our world in the future,” says Saleh. “On most issues I lean more conservative, but on environmental issues I’m more of a rebel rouser. I want to fight for Mother Earth.”
Bill Hannay, a Chicago attorney and partner with Schiff Hardin LLP, is past chairman of the American Bar Association’s International Section. During his early career, he worked on environmental issues as a legislative aide in Washington D.C. for Congressman Al Lowenstein, a New York Democrat. As a Vietnam War veteran, Hannay was involved in the anti-war movement, and saw the synergy that the two movements created. After law school he clerked for a federal judge in Fargo, ND and heard one of the first cases brought by the EPA against a mining operation that was dumping hundreds of tons of waste into nearby waters. He remembers at the time that it was a case that would never have been brought before the formation of the EPA.
“Our country has come a long way since 1970. But I fear that it may not have been fast enough and far enough,” said Hannay. “With global warming, we are facing a potentially irreversible catastrophe unless the countries of the world work together to take drastic remedial action. Let’s resolve to speak out and encourage young and old to embrace Earth Day every day.”
UMKC students in 2015
Today, UMKC is one of the 332 most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S. and Canada, according to The Princeton Review. The campus has LEED-certified buildings, uses renewable energy and has developed extensive recycling and conservation programs.
The UMKC EnviRoos, a student-organized group, works throughout the school year on environmental issues. In April, students sponsored an e-waste collection to responsibly recycle electronics. On May 1-2, they are hosting a Missouri River Campout and Clean Up. Learn more at info.umkc.edu/sustainability.
Love the article. It’s the first I’ve ever seen about Kansas City’s inaugural Earth Day! Fun to learn that Posty Cards has a connection. According to the article, Randall Jessee, played a key role. He is Grandfather to Posty Cards’ President Erick Jessee. It’s another clue as to why Erick and his father Lance are so passionate about sustainability.
So proud of you dad! This is such a great article. You always continue to educate the younger generation and you do it out of love and empathy!
Proud of the three pioneers who launched earth day in Kansas City!
Great article. However, the musician mentioned above was not Jerry Vandiver, it was John Vandiver of the Ewing Street Times.
Tina, I was just talking to a musician this morning that was around KC at the time and there was another Vandiver, indeed, Jerry Vandiver. John was also in town and was playing with Ewing Street Times. A lot of musicians in the day would gather at Good Karma House on Main Street in midtown. Again, this is a great article. Thank you for sharing the history.
To: Kaye Johnston above:
Kaye, it was, in fact Jerry Vandiver who played the first KC Earth Day. I know because that is me.