Earth Day '95 may be six months away, but as Bermuda will be joining the rest of the world in a gigantic celebration of its 25th anniversary, plans are already underway to make it a year to remember.

To this end, the Island's five main environmental organisations are pooling their talents for maximum effect.

The Bermuda Biological Station, the Bermuda Zoological Society, `Keep Bermuda Beautiful,' the Bermuda Audubon Society and the Bermuda National Trust have already formed a special committee with the aim of encouraging all their supporters to get involved.

"We would like to emphasise that this is not just a celebration on the day itself. We would like to raise environmental awareness to a level where every day is Earth Day,'' says the committee's public relations chairman, Lisa Greene.

A group of interested people got together early this year to plan this celebration of a quarter of a century of environmental awareness to encourage Bermuda to think about its own environment and how this tiny Island and its surrounding ocean relates to the world's ecology.

One of the main points the committee would like to get across is that everyone in Bermuda, from the kindergarten crowd to senior citizens, can all do their part in helping to preserve and enhance their own little corner of the world -- whether it's promoting trash-free lunch boxes at school, or re-using last week's shopping bag next time you go to the supermarket.

Ms Greene, who is attached to the natural history museum at the Aquarium, says that the idea of a special `Committee for the Celebration of Earth Day 1995' actually got underway when a group of teachers from Bermuda went to an Environmental Education 2000 convention in Virginia.

"Many environmental issues, including this 25th anniversary were raised. So when they came back, a general `brain-storming' meeting was held and it was decided to form a steering committee composed of people from the five organisations. We felt it would be best if we acted as a catalyst that would encourage other people and groups to celebrate in their own way, Earth Day in Bermuda.'' It is vital, she adds, that the message about Earth Day gets out as soon as possible so that organisations can start planning their own contributions to the event.

"But we want Earth Day to be not the end, but the beginning of something wonderful in Bermuda. We want each group to take on what suits them best. For instance, PTA groups may consider implementing programmes, sports teams may decide to take a blue bag along to all their games and collect bottles and cans used by the teams. Retail stores could decide to reduce packaging, youth groups could help older citizens by cleaning up their yards and gardens. The list of possibilities is almost endless.'' The committee is anxious to get the message across that everyone can get involved, the idea that every individual can make a difference, or as Ms Greene puts it, "Any small personal decision to help can make a big impact!'' Now a registered charity, the committee will be using the mailing lists of each of the five organisations in order to promote public awareness of the approach of Earth Day. "We are here to help people get things started or to help them with any problems,'' says Ms Greene.

"Everyone we have approached so far has been very enthusiastic and helpful.

The Department of Agriculture is being very supportive and will be incorporating some sort of Earth Day theme in next year's Show.'' Mrs. Ann Francis of the Department of Community and Cultural Af fairs has also just confirmed that "The Environment'' will be the theme of next May's Heritage Month.

Information packages are now available. Any individuals or groups who would like to receive these packages or require further information on the Earth Day celebrations is asked to contact Mr. Ray Latter at 293-8553 or telephone 295-5142 and leave a message.

Thirteen ways to become more environmentally conscious Ways in which you can help to Make Every Day Earth Day! Use re-chargeable batteries; Use a re-fillable pen; Use concentrated drink mixes, Use public transportation -- if only once a week; Car pool -- if only once a week; Install a timer on your water heater; Install a low-flow shower head; Properly inflated tyres mean better gas mileage; Have your car or bike serviced (for increased efficiency); Wave to a friend instead of blowing your horn -- and help reduce noise pollution; Buy refillable laundry detergents; Use china instead of plastic cups and plates; Switch off lights and fans when not in use.

SETTING AN EXAMPLE -- Students at Saltus Junior School have been encouraged to have trash-free lunch boxes, bringing their lunch in re-usable containers.

Pictured are ten-year-olds (left to right) Gordon Cooper, Deborah Atwood, Jason Peniston, Cameron Hollis, Keino Williams and Peter Kyle.