Special events were planned across the state and around the globe to celebrate Earth Day on April 22.

Since it’s inception in 1970, Earth Day has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect and preserve the future of our global environment.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski kicked off the day of events by lacing up his hiking boots and walking to work.

He said his two-mile hike to the state Capitol sends the message that Oregonians must meet the challenge of global warming by doing whatever they can, whether it’s walking to work, carpooling or using mass transit, to name just a few options.

Comment: Are you doing more to help the environment in 2008?

“We are all going to have to change how we live our lives," Kulongoski told a group of reporters.

Usually, an Oregon State Police officer chauffeurs Kulongoski in a Lincoln Town Car from his home to work. But Kulongoski said he often walks on dry summer days.

 More: Check our the 'Going Green' section for more Earth Day ideas

Elsewhere around the state countless people were making special efforts to recognize Earth Day on Tuesday.

In Portland, Aveda hair salons are hosting a "Cut-a-thon" to raise money for Columbia Riverkeeper. Aveda already uses eco-friendy products with all organic ingredients. For more information, call an Aveda salon in your area or Brent Foster with Columbia Riverkeeper, at 541-380-1334.

The Oregon Zoo is joining zoos and aquariums across North America celebrating Earth Day in a special way on Sunday, April 20. The Party for the Planet begins at noon and will run through 4 p.m.

"At the zoo, being green is more than just an idea," says Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director. "It's our passion. We want to show people that helping the earth is beneficial and enjoyable."

Verizon Wireles was encouraging cell phone users to help conserve energy and resources-including recycling unused cell phones at any local Verizon store. According to the EPA, recycling 100 million cell phones would save enough energy to power nearly 200,000 U.S. households with electricity for one year.

People can stop by any Verizon Wireless Communications store and give your old wireless phones and accessories from any carrier to the company's HopeLine® phone recycling program. The phones will be disposed of properly or refurbished for resale and reuse, with proceeds going to victims of domestic violence.

For more information, customers can visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

As part of its Earth Day celebration, the Portland Children's Museum will teach visitors how to turn trash into treasures.

Museum educators and guest performers will demonstrate how almost anything can be turned into an object of art or a useful item for around the house in events and workshops scheduled for April 19 & 20.

In Gresham, The City of Gresham is hosting a special Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 19. The event is sponsored by the city’s Department of Environmental Services and will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gresham City Hall, 1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway.

Admission is free and Earth Day Celebration activities (rain or shine) will include free electronics, cell phone and fluorescent lights recycling collections from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Gresham and Wood Village residents in the City Hall west parking lot.

The Abernethy Center in Clackamas County is also hosting an Earth Day event in Oregon City. The program at the Abernethy Center will feature a presentation on the science of and solutions to climate change by Lake Oswego resident Jean Baumann.

The doors will open to the public at 6:30 p.m. with the program starting at 7 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to browse through and learn how they can have a positive impact on the environment. There is no charge for the program and everyone is invited.

For more information, call Rosalyn Greene in the Clackamas County Office of Sustainability at 503-353-4465.