ACCESS Youth put on a fabulous soiree to benefit at-risk DC youth. It was our pleasure to feature ACCESS Youth earlier this year, and learn about the organization's work to fight the school-to-prison pipeline through mentorship and mediation.

DDG founder Saranah Holmes (2nd from right) and friends.

The University of Maryland Do Good Challenge 2015 came to a close. More than 60 teams competed to create social impact projects and ventures. Meet the winners and runners-up. Congratulations to all the participants! It's great to see smart, innovative young people dedicated to doing good!

Spro Coffee in Hamden, Baltimore, gives away coffee grounds to for customers to use in composting. It's a great way to reduce waste!

Editorial director Holly Leber (pictured) and president Saranah Holmes teamed up to extract this clump of weeds. It was our white whale of the day!

We took a team out to Beltsville, Md. to volunteer at Bread for the City's City Orchard. The fruit grown at City Orchard is distributed to food pantries to give underserved DC residents access to fresh, healthy produce. We had a great day weeding and trellising (we're quite the experts now!), and we're excited to go back this summer to pick the literal fruits of our labors!

We supported a friend in Atlanta as she raised money for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Attendees left encouraging messages for the City Kids to fan the flames of success.

City Kids Wilderness Project hosted a spring benefit to support the outdoor and career exploration programs that are helping the youth of City Kids to thrive. It was a pleasure to meet some of the young people of City Kids recently, and wish them all the best of luck!

Done some good lately? Taken notice of someone else who is doing a little something to brighten someone's day? See an article that fits in with the DDG mission? Send us a note and a photo! Email staff@dailydogood.co.

1. This year marks the 45th birthday of Earth Day! Also turning 45 this year? Tina Fey, The Beatles “Let It Be” Album, Mary J. Blige, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.

2. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970. After leaving the Senate in 1980, he continued his love for conservation by serving on the board of The Wilderness Society, one of the largest conservation organizations in The United States. In 1995, Senator Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton for his commitment to the environment!

3. 20 million: The number of participants on the very first Earth Day, sparking its success as a permanent movement. People took to the streets to protest in favor of a healthy and sustainable environment

Source: http://www.elephantjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Picture-427.png — Source: http://www.elephantjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Picture-427.png

4. In 1990, Earth Day went global with over 140 countries participating. The number of participants keeps growing—in 2000, 180 countries took part in Earth Day activities!

Also global in 1990? The Milli Vanilli scandal

5. Earth Day 2010 saw 225,000 people flock to the National Mall for a Climate Rally, protesting and demanding that Congress pass climate change legislation in 2010.

http://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/269f7885-ba4b-4b34-acfb-2268087c4786.jpg

6. Also a fan of Earth Day? James Cameron, the director of blockbusters Avatar and The Titanic, who launched an international initiative in 2012 to plant 1 million trees over the course of the year.

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0128771793ec970c-800wi — Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0128771793ec970c-800wi

7. The Canopy Project, an Earth Day Network mission to plant trees “that help communities” has pledged to plant 10 million trees over the next 5 years to reverse the impact of deforestation and help local economies in impoverished areas of the world. So far, they’ve planted over 1.5 million trees in 18 countries.

8. Perhaps the most famous (fictional, but who’s keeping track?) environmental activist? Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, who has become a worldwide symbol for taking action and responsibility to protect the environment.

Source: http://www.econesting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/lorax3.jpg — Source: http://www.econesting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/lorax3.jpg

9. How can you take part in Earth Day? The possibilities are endless! According to the Earth Day Network, you can pledge to compost, buy local produce, reduce your footprint, or stop using disposable plastic. Check out their website for more ways to take action!

Um, sure. This is good, too./Source: http://www.environmentteam.com/list/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/earth-day-globe-dress.jpg — Um, sure. This is good, too./Source: http://www.environmentteam.com/list/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/earth-day-globe-dress.jpg

10. Looking for a way to give back on Earth Day in DC? Head to the National Zoo on April 22nd, where Earth Day celebrations start with a clean up of Rock Creek Park.

Cleanup at the National Zoo. /Source: https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5026/5643702671_58d0432fc1.jpg — Cleanup at the National Zoo. /Source: https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5026/5643702671_58d0432fc1.jpg

About the Author: While a student at The College of William and Mary, Marisa Weidner volunteered at a school in Belize. A DC newcomer, she blogs about her explorations of the city at The Curated City.