Governor Roy Cooper Celebrates Earth Day Along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Buncombe County, N.C.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper Celebrates Earth Day Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper made a special stop in the mountains on Monday morning to pay tribute to Earth Day. Standing against the picturesque backdrop of Craggy Gardens along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cooper emphasized the importance of preserving and protecting the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Celebrating the Environment

“Celebrating Earth Day is so important because we have been blessed with amazing scenery, forest, wetlands, parks,” remarked Cooper during his speech. He highlighted the extraordinary gift of nature that the region offers and stressed the collective responsibility to ensure its conservation for future generations.

A Pledge for Preservation

Secretary Reid Wilson of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources joined Cooper at the event, reinforcing the message of environmental stewardship. Cooper underscored the need for a clean energy economy and emphasized the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.

Challenges and Opportunities

Addressing the audience, Cooper outlined plans to plant a million trees in urban areas and prioritize the restoration of wetlands and forests. Despite facing opposition to environmental progress, he encouraged unity in achieving conservation goals and highlighted the economic benefits of preserving North Carolina’s natural landscapes.

Actions for a Sustainable Future

“Earth Day is a great day to talk about that. I’ve issued an executive order that challenges North Carolina to acquire more wetlands and forests and to restore them,” Cooper announced, stressing the importance of aligning environmental protection with economic prosperity.

Reflecting on Gratitude and Responsibility

As the nation commemorated Earth Day, Cooper urged individuals to reflect on the privilege of inhabiting such a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. He called for collective efforts to safeguard the environment and underscored the critical role of each individual in preserving the natural heritage of North Carolina.

Looking Ahead

On Earth Day, Governor Roy Cooper’s message resonated with the audience gathered at Craggy Gardens, reminding them of the importance of environmental conservation and the need for sustained action to protect our planet’s precious resources.

Stay tuned for more updates on environmental initiatives and conservation efforts in North Carolina.