Although a variety of organizations in La Crosse had sponsored various environmental activities and events over the years and many participated in the first Earth Day in 1970, there had never been any kind of coordinated event until Earth Day 1990. Through the efforts of the Earth Day Steering Committee, local groups were contacted and an attempt to coordinate environmental activities in the area on April 22, 1990, was successful. Not only did these various organizations and individuals participate, but lecture series, exhibits, book displays, and the like brought to mind the concerns for the environment for at least an entire month.
The steering committee was directed by John Hoefer and Dean Wilder of the Geography & Earth Sciences Department, and Ann Korschgen of Career Services at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
