Earth Day Festivities!

This Saturday is Earth Day! The idea for a national day to focus on the environment came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson in 1970, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Today, the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more manifest every day. Earth Day Network, the facilitator of the movement, shares a multitude of ways to get involved on global and local levels. This year, we know of one local restaurant participating in this incredible movement.

On April 22 and 23, Legal Sea Foods will honor Earth Day by offering two specials whose sales will be donated to the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM). Legal Sea Foods was founded more than 60 years ago by George Berkowitz when he opened a small fish market in Inman Square, Cambridge. Today, President and CEO Roger Berkowitz leads the company toward continued growth and diversification. With more than 30 restaurants up and down the East Coast, Legal Sea Foods has earned scores of honors and awards (its clam chowder has been served at every presidential inaugural since 1981) and proudly carries its well-earned reputation as the nation’s finest seafood restaurant. We know we enjoy a trip to Legals!

Available at all Legal locations throughout the state, the specialty appetizer is a Lobster Spinach Oyster Trio baked with cheese and herbed crumbs ($12) and the entrée is Linguini & Clams sautéed with pancetta, garlic and white wine ($18.95).

Legal Sea Foods has partnered with ELM since 1996 and will generously give 100% of the proceeds of its two menu features on these days to help combat climate change and in protecting our land, water and public health. The Environmental League of Massachusetts is committed to combating climate change and protecting our land, water, and public health by creating diverse alliances and building the power of the environmental community. They use their collective influence to ensure Massachusetts is a leader in environmental and economic sustainability.

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization, supported by a combination of individual and foundation philanthropy, dues from citizens and organization members, and proceeds from special events. They focus their resources on the state level, where they believe that their knowledge, expertise and reputation allow them to have the strongest impact. ELM also networks and collaborates with a variety of leaders in business, like Legal Sea Foods, and government as well with other environmental nonprofits to achieve effective results.

So if you're already making dinner plans for the weekend, take the opportunity to give back to the environment and devour the details of Earth Day at Legal Sea Foods!