Journal Editorial: Together, we can keep our environment clean

Each year, Earth Day offers a simple but powerful reminder: caring for the planet doesn’t have to start somewhere far away; it can begin right where we live.

Here in Brandon, that opportunity is as close as the banks of the Big Sioux River.

This Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, community members can gather at McHardy Park for the Big Sioux River Clean-Up, and it’s exactly the kind of grassroots effort Earth Day was meant to inspire. No grand gestures. No sweeping policy debates. Just neighbors showing up, rolling up their sleeves, and making a visible difference.

It’s easy to underestimate the impact of a local clean-up. After all, a few bags of trash along one stretch of river may seem small in the face of global environmental challenges. But that thinking misses the point. Stewardship is cumulative. Every piece of litter removed prevents it from traveling downstream, harming wildlife, or breaking down into microplastics. Every volunteer sets an example, especially for younger generations, that this place matters.

And it does matter. The Big Sioux River isn’t just a scenic backdrop; it’s part of the community’s identity. Keeping it clean isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about preserving a shared resource that supports recreation, wildlife, and a sense of pride in place.

Events like Saturday’s clean-up also do something less visible, but just as important: they build community. There’s a quiet camaraderie in working side by side for a common good. Conversations happen. Connections form. And for a few hours, the focus shifts from individual routines to collective responsibility.

Earth Day can sometimes feel abstract. But its real strength lies in moments like this, where action is tangible and immediate. A glove, a garbage bag, and a stretch of riverbank, that’s where environmentalism becomes real.

So if you’re looking for a way to mark Earth Day this year, you don’t have to look far. Show up at McHardy Park. Bring a friend, bring your family, and bring a willingness to help. The river – and the community – will be better for it.

Because taking care of the Earth starts by taking care of home.