Lily Marks
Ambassador of Ecogenia
This Earth Day, Lily Marks shares why she was inspired to become an Ambassador for Ecogenia in a piece that beautifully captures how individual experience and collective action can come together to protect the places we love most.
Earth Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder.
A reminder that this planet, in all its beauty and complexity, doesn’t just exist for us—it depends on us.
I grew up in Chicago, in a neighborhood where nature felt more like an idea than something I could truly connect with. We didn’t have a backyard, and the skyline was my backdrop. Traffic was the soundtrack to my recess time at school. Despite that, I was drawn to learning about the Earth—its ecosystems, its processes, its history, and how we’ve become so disconnected from it.
But every summer, that disconnection faded.
Visiting Ikaria, the island in Greece where my family is from, felt like stepping into another world. I spent my days on quiet beaches, walking rocky trails, and eating food grown just steps from where we slept. Life there was slower, more intentional. People lived in rhythm with the land—growing what they needed, wasting little, and showing deep respect for the environment around them.
But even these sacred landscapes weren’t untouched. Over time, I started to notice more signs of strain—more development, more tourists, hotter summers, fewer fish, and the ever-present threat of wildfires. I still remember standing in Athens a few summers ago, looking out over the city through a haze of smoke. The sky was orange. The air thick. It didn’t feel distant anymore—it was right there, choking the place I love, changing everything.
Those moments stuck with me, becoming the foundation for my academic path—studying climate change, coastal degradation, and the fragile balance of ecosystems, especially in Greece. But even with all that knowledge, I still felt distant. I wanted to be part of something tangible— not just talking about it.
That’s when I found Ecogenia.
Ecogenia isn’t just another climate organization raising awareness—they’re taking action. They’re on the ground—training young people, restoring land, and building climate resilience in local communities. Their mission aligns perfectly with what Earth Day is all about: not just appreciating the Earth but actively caring for it.
Even from across the ocean, being connected with Ecogenia has been grounding. It’s reconnected me to the places that shaped me—and reminded me that no matter where we are, we all have a role to play in protecting the places that matter to us.
So this Earth Day, I’m reflecting not just on what the Earth gives me, but what I can give back. For me, that answer is Ecogenia. Their work is real, rooted in community, and driven by hope.
If you’re looking for a way to connect, contribute, and help restore the Earth we all depend on, Ecogenia is a powerful place to start.
