In 1962, with the publishing of Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, which sold half a million copies in 24 countries,

the world stage was set for a new form of environmental awareness – one that acknowledged the Earth and its creatures while establishing a link between increased pollution and decreased human health.  When Earth Day was founded and

the first gatherings occurred on April 22, 1970 – people were listening.  Before the end of that year, the United States Environmental Protection Agency was founded and three pieces of legislation were passed, the National

Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act as well as the Clean Air Act. 

The Clean Water Act followed two years later. 

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The Earth Day 2024 event began with the creator of Transformation Trails - Amy Lewis Sweetman of AGRISCULPTURE, sharing this history of Earth Day along with the history of Transformation Trails within Wickham Woodlands of Warwick, NY.  The 750 acre property known today as Wickham Woodlands had once been Lenape land.  In the 1700s it became farmland.  From 1914 to 2011 it hosted a variety of low to mid-level security rehabilitation and prison entities from the

New York City Farm, to the New York State School for Boys to the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility.  When New York

State closed the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility in 2011, the 750 acres was sold to the Town of Warwick, having 150

acres for development and allowing for 600 acres to remain natural.  A very particular 10 acres, still surrounded by

former prison fence about 20 feel tall, is the area that has recently become – and is still under construction –

“Transformation Trails : from Prison to Park – Warwick NY’s Arboretum with Pollinator Meadows, Sculpture and History!”