Founded in 1970, and the brainchild of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day (April 22) was created to pay homage to the terra firma under our feet-our home, the earth.  This special observance day was meant to encourage respect for life on the planet, engender ecological thinking and practices, and highlight growing concern over pollution of our air, soil, and water.

That said-such serious thoughts, indeed-this year, thanks to the creative folks at Burt's Bees, there will be even more things to think about on Earth Day, and a little irreverent levity thrown into the mix.  Burt's Bees has been offering distinctive, earth-friendly, natural personal-care products for 25 years. The company grew out of the humble backyard of a beekeeper in Maine (hello, Burt) to  become a leader in the arena of natural personal-care products. Burt's is dedicated to natural body-care solutions from head-to-toe for, and is perhaps best known for its assorted balms.

So, O.K., what has Burt cooked up for Earth Day?  Well, it's a fun and funny nod to Burt Shavitz, a co-founder of the company and its namesake. The bearded Burt participated in the first Earth Day celebration four decades ago and has been living lightly on the planet ever since.  Burt has brought his love and respect for the natural world into the everyday practices of Burt's Bees for 25 years, and now he's encouraging New York locals to "Find Their [very own] Burt" by discovering the earth-friendly potential we all share.

On April 22nd, Burt look-alikes will take to the streets of New York, handing out samples of the company's many products, and urging folks to be as eco-friendly as Burt has been (and is).  Passing out free "Burt" beards and hats, the Burt look-alikes will help transform Gothamites into Burt wannabes. Look for them near Rockefeller Center and in Central Park. 

Burt's Bees will also be offering delicious, nutritious smoothies at a "Bike Blender" station in Times Square, where visitors can stop by and enjoy a smoothie, featuring natural ingredients, like honey, pomegranate, and cranberry (some of the same natural ingredients that are in Burt's Bees products). What will make these smoothies a smooth deal is that the blenders mixing them will be powered by people riding bicycles!

For more fun, there is a website, FindYourBurt.com, where visitors will be asked to "Burtify" their image and where they can learn more about ecology-minded ways to help conserve the earth's natural resources.  So, come to the Blender Blowout, in Central Park between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and at Times Square, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Posted on April 19, 2010 - by