Guardians of the Earth - Dennis Hayes
Plus: Bonus Resistance Post
Photo: NASA
Sustainable Cities Pioneer and Earth Day Founder
From EarthDay.Org
Denis Hayes, the coordinator of the first Earth Day in 1970 and a lifelong environmental advocate, has continued to shape green infrastructure and urban sustainability. As the president of the Bullitt Foundation, Hayes has spent the last decade supporting environmental projects in the Pacific Northwest and promoting sustainable building practices.
The Bullitt Center in Seattle, often described as the greenest commercial building in the world, stands as a legacy of Hayes’ vision for regenerative design and carbon-neutral cities. Even as the foundation wraps up its grantmaking, Hayes remains a towering figure in the climate movement, bridging activism, innovation, and architecture.
In addition to his foundational role in organizing the first Earth Day, Denis Hayes has remained deeply involved with the movement through his founding of EARTHDAY.ORG. As board chair emeritus, he has helped guide the organization’s efforts to adapt Earth Day for a digital age, broaden its reach globally, and amplify climate education. Under his influence, EARTHDAY.ORG has expanded its campaigns to include environmental literacy, reforestation, plastic pollution, and voter engagement. Hayes’ continued advocacy ensures that Earth Day remains not just a symbolic event, but a catalyst for year-round action and impact.
RESISTANCE BONUS POST
My favorite home-made shirt from yesterday’s local No Kings rally:
