Since the first Earth Day teach-in on April 22, 1970, April has served as a time not only to celebrate our planet, but to reflect on the health of our land, water, air, and communities. The Earth Day movement began at a time when industrial pollution was visibly contaminating air and waterways, prompting action at the national level. That same year, landmark legislation like the Clean Air Act signaled a growing recognition of the need for environmental protection.

More than fifty years later, much has changed—but the responsibility to care for our planet remains. What began as a national movement has expanded globally while also becoming deeply local. Across the country, people are engaging in conservation, restoring ecosystems, and finding ways to live more sustainably—from protecting old-growth forests and grasslands to planting backyard habitats and growing their own food. The spirit of Earth Day continues to shape both our daily lives and the work being done across the Posner community.

Enter DUG.  Founded in the late 1970s, DUG began as a grassroots effort to support Hmong women in growing their own food. Over time, it expanded into a network of community gardens and has become one of the largest independent networks of food-producing gardens in the country. Today, DUG supports more than 200 community gardens and food forests across the Denver metro area—each rooted in the belief that access to land, food, and knowledge should be shared and community-driven.

From gardening and food sovereignty to climate action and community building, DUG’s work offers a powerful example of how local solutions can drive lasting impact.

Gardening as Climate Action: Change Starts at Home

Gardening isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way to take meaningful climate action right at home. Growing our own food can:

✔️ Improve soil health
✔️ Reduce reliance on long food supply chains
✔️ Support biodiversity, especially pollinators

With more than 200 community gardens and food forests across Denver, DUG is helping make our city more resilient and sustainable every day.

Do you want to plant a garden of your own?  Check out one of DUG’s community gardens. 

Compost Isn’t Just Food Waste

Did you know that composting is climate action? According to the U.S. Composting Council, composting helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills, supporting carbon uptake in vegetation, and improving the resilience of soils and gardens in the face of climate change.

DUG has joined the City of Denver in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, including reducing emissions from food waste. The Posner Center is proud to be part of this work, working toward a future where our community moves as close to zero waste as possible.

Knowing is Half the Battle 

It may be a simple phrase, but it holds true: we can’t act on what we don’t know. DUG offers year-round community education opportunities across the Denver metro area and right here at the Posner Center.

Workshops range from introductory gardening courses to sessions on urban plants and DIY tinctures. Through these classes, community members gain practical skills in gardening, composting, water conservation, and food preservation—tools that support long-term sustainability and resilience.

We hope to see you at a class soon.

“Community gardens are more than places to grow food—they’re places to grow connections.” ~ Unknown

The impacts of climate change can feel overwhelming—so overwhelming that it’s easy to disengage. But the work of organizations like DUG helps ground us in what’s possible. Through community, education, and shared stewardship, they show how we can be part of the solution while building connection, enriching our lives, and strengthening the places we call home.

The first Earth Day in 1970 was rooted in gathering, learning, and leaving with the tools to make a difference. Those same values are carried forward today through the work of DUG and the broader Posner community.

Wherever you find yourself—gardener, beekeeper, activist, academic, or simply curious—we hope you’ve found inspiration to carry the spirit of Earth Month into the rest of your year.

Explore all that DUG has to offer at www.dug.org.