Celebrating Earth Day with Naturescapes

Every spring, a quiet revolution blooms. People around the world gather in parks and city plazas, on beaches and farms, to celebrate the planet we all call home. Flags bearing green leaves flutter alongside handmade signs,

children plant trees with muddy hands, and volunteers fill bags with trash pulled from rivers and roadsides. April 22 is Earth Day, a holiday born of protest and hope that has become one of the largest secular events on the planet. For NatureScapes, Earth Day isn’t just a day on the calendar; it’s a reminder of why we built this app in the first place. This year we’re honoring Earth Day by donating 25 percent of all proceeds from our in‑app purchases to an environmental charity chosen by our community. We’re also releasing our biggest content update yet, filled with new scenes and sounds inspired by landscapes we love. Before we invite you to vote for our charity on Instagram and YouTube, let’s take a moment to revisit what Earth Day is all about, how it came to be, and why it still matters.

The birth of a movement

The story of Earth Day begins in the late 1960s, when smog hung like a permanent haze over America’s cities and rivers were so polluted they caught fire. Amid growing public concern over oil spills, industrial pollution and the indiscriminate use of pesticides, Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson had an idea. Inspired by the energy of the anti‑war teach‑ins sweeping college campuses, he proposed a national “teach‑in” about the environment. He chose April 22 for practical reasons: it fell between spring break and final exams, and the weather would be warm enough for outdoor events. On April 22, 1970, an estimated 20 million Americans took to the streets for the first Earth Day, demanding clean air, safe water and healthy ecosystems. Their voices helped spur the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and landmark laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

Earth Day didn’t stop at U.S. borders. In 1990, the movement went global, mobilising more than 200 million people across 141 countries to focus on recycling and conservation. Since then, participation has exploded. Today, Earth Day Network counts over a billion participants in more than 190 countries, making it one of the largest annual civic events in the world. Themes change each year, ranging from climate literacy to ending plastic pollution, but the core message remains the same: our planet is precious, and protecting it requires collective effort.

Why Earth Day still matters

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution are complex problems with no single solution. But the spirit of Earth Day is rooted in the idea that small actions, when multiplied by millions of people, can lead to real change. Consider how far we’ve come since 1970: bald eagles have returned to American skies thanks to a ban on DDT, cleaner water flows through once‑polluted rivers, and renewable energy now powers homes and businesses around the world. Earth Day reminds us that progress is possible when ordinary people speak up and work together.

The environmental movement has also grown more inclusive. While the first Earth Day focused largely on air and water pollution, today’s campaigns recognise that environmental issues intersect with social and economic justice. Communities of colour and low‑income neighbourhoods often bear the brunt of pollution and climate impacts. Earth Day encourages us to listen to those voices and ensure that everyone has access to clean air, safe water and green spaces. It also highlights the interconnectedness of global challenges: protecting forests in the Amazon helps stabilise the climate everywhere, while reducing plastic waste in one city keeps oceans cleaner for everyone.

How NatureScapes is Celebrating

NatureScapes was born from a love of wild places. Our team spends countless hours recording wind in the highlands, waves crashing on rocky shores and the soft chorus of night insects. We built this app so you could bring those sounds into your everyday life, whether you’re drifting to sleep, meditating, studying or just taking a break. For Earth Day, we wanted to do more than offer escapism; we wanted to give back. That’s why we’re donating 25 percent of all proceeds from in‑app purchases during the week of Earth Day to an environmental charity selected by you. We’ll run polls on our Instagram and YouTube channels where you can vote for the cause that resonates most, whether it’s reforestation, ocean cleanup or wildlife protection. Your relaxation will directly support the planet.

We’re also unveiling our largest content update yet. Expect an immersive “Sunrise on the Savannah” scene where distant elephants trumpet as birds greet the dawn, a “Coral Reef” soundscape filled with the subtle crackle of shrimp and the whoosh of passing fish, and a “Rainforest Night” track where tree frogs and cicadas create an otherworldly symphony. These new recordings are our way of celebrating Earth’s diversity and reminding ourselves that every soundscape represents a real ecosystem teeming with life.

Ways you can honour Earth Day

Earth Day is a perfect opportunity to look at your own habits and see how small changes can make a difference. Here are a few ideas:

Take action locally

Look for community events in your area such as tree‑planting drives, litter cleanups or educational workshops. Many towns and cities host volunteer days around Earth Day where you can plant native species, restore wetlands or help build urban gardens. If you can’t find an organised event, consider organising your own mini cleanup with friends or family. You’d be surprised how much difference a few hours and a few pairs of hands can make.

Reduce, reuse and rethink

Use Earth Day as a check‑in on your consumption habits. Could you switch to reusable shopping bags or water bottles? Maybe you’ve been meaning to start composting kitchen scraps or cutting down on single‑use plastics. Even small acts like repairing a torn piece of clothing instead of buying a new one help conserve resources. You might also choose to support businesses that prioritise sustainability and transparency.

Connect with nature

Spend time outdoors to rekindle your relationship with the planet. If you live near a park, go for a walk and take note of the plants and wildlife around you. If mobility or schedule makes a long hike difficult, simply sit under a tree and pay attention to the sensations of wind and sunlight on your skin. Use our app to complement your experience; play our “Mountaintop Breeze” while watching the clouds, or drift off to our “Rain on Canvas” track after spending time in your garden. The combination of real and virtual nature can deepen your appreciation for both.

Start conversations

Talk to friends, family and colleagues about why the environment matters to you. Share documentaries, books or podcasts that have inspired you. Encourage your workplace to host a sustainability workshop or implement recycling bins if they don’t already exist. If you’re active on social media, use the Earth Day hashtags to raise awareness about issues that matter to you and to celebrate positive stories of environmental success.

Advocate for change

Individual actions matter, but systemic change is essential. Contact your local representatives to express support for policies that promote renewable energy, protect biodiversity and reduce waste. Vote in elections at all levels, and encourage others to do the same. Support organizations and leaders who prioritize climate action. When businesses see that consumers care about sustainability, they’re more likely to adopt greener practices.

Looking ahead

Earth Day is a celebration, but it’s also a call to action. It reminds us that the beauty we hear in a babbling brook or a birdsong can’t be taken for granted. These soundscapes exist because ecosystems remain intact and healthy. As we release new recordings inspired by the world’s forests, oceans and Savannah's, we’re reminded that our creativity relies on nature’s abundance. By donating part of our proceeds, we hope to give back in a meaningful way and inspire our community to do the same.

Whether you join a beach cleanup, vote in our charity poll or simply take a mindful walk on April 22, we invite you to celebrate Earth Day with us. Together we can turn listening into action and help ensure that the sounds we love remain part of our world for generations to come.