Gill addressed a crowd of approximately 20 students and adults. She explained the significance of Earth Day and thanked students from T.F. Riggs High School, Georgia Morse Middle School and Pierre Indian Learning Center for their efforts to clean up the city. She also commended private citizens who have taken initiative to collect trash in various locations throughout Pierre.

“As our capital city, Pierre welcomes countless visitors each year,” Gill said. “Sportsmen come to our area for some of the best hunting and fishing in the nation; others come for meetings and conventions; while many come to enjoy our unique history and heritage. When these people arrive, we want to ensure we make a great first impression. But the City cannot do it alone. We need and want your help. So, please accept my challenge to you to volunteer and do what you can.

The mayor’s “Go Green and Clean” campaign includes four major components which change with the seasons. The components include

• Spring – “Green it Up, Fix it Up”

• Summer – “Pick it Up, Clean it Up”

• Fall – “Rake it Up, Trim it Up

• Winter – “Spruce it Up, Shine it Up”

The mayor also announced May 14, 2011, will be the date of Pierre’s annual citywide cleanup project. Volunteers are asked to meet at 9 a.m. near the Steamboat Park amphitheater where they will be issued gloves and trash bags. Teams will then collect trash from public spaces throughout the morning and regroup about noon for a free picnic. All volunteers will also receive a free T-shirt

This year’s national Earth Day theme is, “A Billion Acts of Green.” The purpose is to mobilize one billion acts of environmental service around the world. The campaign calls for people of all nationalities, in all communities, to commit to an activity to sustain our environment. Gill said she was pleased that Pierre would be participating in this effort and reminded the public that everyone has a role to play

“Remember, the community of Pierre is like our environment, it is a shared space,” Gill told the group.