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The Legacy of Chico Mendes
April 25, 2017 11:30 am | by
chico

Last Saturday was Earth Day, which U.S. Senator, Gaylord Nelson, founded on April 22, 1970. Earth Day was originally set up as an environmental teach-in hosted at many colleges, universities, primary and secondary schools, as well as hundreds of communities across the United States. More than 40 years later, Earth Day is still going strong, bringing millions of Americans together in peaceful demonstrations and celebrations in favor of environmental reform. Earth Day has many heroes and we think it truly celebrates the legacy of Chico Mendes.

Growing up in the jungle

Chico Mendes developed a love and respect for nature early in life. He was born in 1944, in a rubber reserve called Seringal Bom Futuro. He was the son of a second-generation rubber tapper and one of 17 children, only six of whom survived childhood. At age 9, Chico began work as a rubber tapper and grew up knowing how important the rainforests are. This love and respect ultimately lead to his life’s passion to save the Amazon rainforest.

A true conservation activist

Chico Mendes and the rubber workers union asked the government to set up reserves in order for people to use the forest without damaging it. Though his experience rubber tapping trees and due to his Amazon preservation effort, Chico became a true conservation activist who made a difference in the environmental world. Sadly his passion ultimately lead to his assassination in 1988, although his hard work and dedication to the environment did not go unrecognized.

“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.” —Chico Mendes

The legacy of Chico Mendes

Among his recognitions, The Brazilian government declared Chico Mendes “Patron of the Brazilian Environment” and The Chico Mendes Institute for Conservation of Biodiversity is named in his honor. As a dedicated activist, Chico Mendes gave his life for his work, and we’re a proud to have Chico as part of our Genius Series.

Today for Truly Genius Tuesday we have a few sales* for you!

bumGenius 4.0 are $2 off

bumGenius Elemental2 are $2 off

Genius Series Baby T’s in Chico are 20% off

*while supplies last

Shop Chico

Giveaway – Chico Freetime and Chico baby T
a Rafflecopter giveaway

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hevea_brasiliensis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chico_Mendes

Diaper Prints

About the Author

Libby is the marketing director for Cotton Babies. She's an obsessed auntie to three super fun kids. She loves coffee, chocolate, and singing Broadway show tunes.

Comments

78 Comments

  • Meaghan said...
    April 30, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    I love apple trees! Pretty and delicious!!!!

  • Danitra Smith said...
    April 30, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    The flowering cherry trees are my favorites!

  • Annie Cernohous said...
    April 30, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    My favorite tree is the Maple. We made lots of maple syrup this spring! 🙂

  • Gabrielle Tietz said...
    April 30, 2017 at 11:15 am

    Favorite tree is the willow!

  • Corrie Kolbe said...
    April 30, 2017 at 8:11 am

    Mango!!! I grew up with one in my backyard and it was awesome!!

  • Beth Rees said...
    April 29, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    I love the pink Kousa Dogwood

  • Aurora PL said...
    April 28, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    Peach, cherry and Orange (love all fruits flowers!)

  • Alexis Cuffy said...
    April 28, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    Oak trees are my favorite!

  • Jilliann M said...
    April 28, 2017 at 11:12 am

    Weeping willows are pretty

  • Joy L said...
    April 28, 2017 at 7:43 am

    Magnolia–when they flower=beautiful!

  • Tracy said...
    April 28, 2017 at 7:13 am

    I like cedars because they smell so good.

  • Kim Wriston said...
    April 28, 2017 at 6:38 am

    When I was in high school, I took an interest in ecology and event did some stuff with the Envirothon competition. My favorite aspect was tree identification! Now, I think my favorite tree is either the Dogwood or the American Sweetgum, which reminds me of my granny (great-grandmother).

  • Candice said...
    April 27, 2017 at 3:20 pm

    So hard to choose a favorite tree because I love them all, but I especially enjoy the giant sequoia!

  • Lauren Patton said...
    April 26, 2017 at 10:14 pm

    My favorite tree is the Aspen tree. They’re so pretty!

  • Erin B. said...
    April 26, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    I love apple trees! We have one and it is so pretty right now when it is in full bloom 🙂

  • hannah said...
    April 26, 2017 at 11:22 am

    my favorite tree is the maple tree!

  • Ashley McDonald said...
    April 26, 2017 at 9:51 am

    My favorite tree is a sweet gum. They just look so happy, and I remember loving the name when I looked it up for my leaf collection when I was in middle school.

  • Melissa Stutzman said...
    April 26, 2017 at 7:54 am

    I love willow trees!

  • Molly said...
    April 26, 2017 at 6:47 am

    There are so many trees I love – picking one is hard. I’d have to say ultimately, I love sycamores. They’re just gorgeous and tall and sturdy and the bark is beautiful.

  • Sarah Hayes said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:58 pm

    i love willows

  • Paige Rowe said...
    April 25, 2017 at 9:59 pm

    Japanese maple

  • Nicole K. said...
    April 25, 2017 at 9:12 pm

    Japanese maple

  • Suzanne said...
    April 25, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    Lilac.

  • Mary Schuh said...
    April 25, 2017 at 8:46 pm

    Apple trees!

  • Amanda Alvarado said...
    April 25, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    I love pine trees! They smell so good and remind me of Christmas!

  • Bethany McEl said...
    April 25, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Olive trees are probably my favorite.

  • Emily said...
    April 25, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    Any tree that doesn’t make me sneeze! Ha!

  • Marie Lowther said...
    April 25, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    My favorite tree is a mango tree. 🙂

  • Nancy said...
    April 25, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    I like cherry trees the best.

  • Anel said...
    April 25, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    I love Redwood trees!

  • Colleen said...
    April 25, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    We’re supposed to have just one favorite tree? ;). For common trees, I love willows. But the dawn redwood is also a favorite because of its history–plus they look cool!

  • HollyAnn Renteria said...
    April 25, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    My favorite tree is an oak tree!

  • Daria E said...
    April 25, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    My favorite tree is in my yard. A pear tree that bears fruit even though we never have to care for it.

  • Mandi Goforth said...
    April 25, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    My favorite tree? It depends on the season! In winter, I love the evergreens. In the spring, I love the dogwoods that bloom first. In the summer I love shade trees. In the fall, I love the trees that turn to beautiful shades.

  • Mandi Goforth said...
    April 25, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    My kids call this he Jungle Book diaper. We love it!

  • Cathryn Colcer said...
    April 25, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    It’s hard to pick a favorite tree. I will say my favorite tree on my street is a Ginko tree. It has a lovely fan shaped leaf. During the fall it turns a vivid yellow. Beautiful!

  • Yu-ting Huang said...
    April 25, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    I like banyan tree.

  • Sandra Watts said...
    April 25, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    I like apple trees. 🙂

  • laura bernard said...
    April 25, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    Love the dogwood tree!

  • Brianna Beers said...
    April 25, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    It’s a toss up between white birch and weeping willow. Both are beautiful to me but, to choose one I will love more on a weeping willow tree.

  • Stella K. said...
    April 25, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    Apple trees are my favorite kind of trees!

  • Samantha said...
    April 25, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    Weeping Willow

  • Melissa A. said...
    April 25, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    My favorite tree is the willow tree! They’re beautiful!

  • Leela R. said...
    April 25, 2017 at 2:24 pm

    My favorite tree is an avacado tree. Lovely trees that produce a delicious fruit!

  • Michelle Robinson said...
    April 25, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    The Crepe Myrtle is my favorite tree. Such pretty flowers and always reminds me of my grandmother’s house.

  • CJ Huang said...
    April 25, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    I’m a fan of magnolia trees. 🙂

  • Carmen Rudnick said...
    April 25, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    The Cherry Blossom is my favorite tree

  • Barbara Parker said...
    April 25, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    My favorite tree is the cherry trees. I love to pick the fruit.

  • Laura G said...
    April 25, 2017 at 1:25 pm

    Maple!

  • Marci Barnard said...
    April 25, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    Japanese Maples are my favorite tree

  • Maya LeaJames said...
    April 25, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    I absolutely love all trees, it’s a challenge to pick just one… although I do love the huge buttressed Dipterocarp trees if the Central American tropical rainforest 🙂

  • Leigh Kitchens said...
    April 25, 2017 at 1:13 pm

    It’s difficult to pick a favorite tree. I love the Gingko & Aspen in the fall with their bright yellow leaves. But they don’t grow where I live so I rarely get to see them. So, I will pick the Red Oak!

  • Haley Sibley said...
    April 25, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    My favorite tree is a dogwood.

  • Sarah said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    My favorite tree is a white pine. I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life and I love the simple beauty of a white pine.

  • lydia h. said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    I love maple trees!

  • Aivry Dunn said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    I love oak trees. We have two giant ones in our back yard, they are so gorgeous ?

  • Helen Scott said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    My favorite tree is the Southern Magnolia!

  • Julie Gibbons-Dayley said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    Hey my favorite tree is the sugar maple!

  • Leigh Ann Jones said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    My favorite tree is the Dogwood.

  • Alyssa Rabb-Prince said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    Favorite tree is a Peach Tree… yummy

  • Letha Adams said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    My favorite tree is the saucer magnolia. They have beautiful large pink flowers in the early spring. Before flowering they have big fuzzy buds that are easy to identify.

  • Liz L said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    My favorite tree(s) are Sugar Maple and Weeping Cherry.

  • Julie said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    Dogwood in bloom ?

  • Kristin Labe said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    Weeping Willow

  • Joanna said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    The weeping willow used to be my favourite tree. Now, I am not sure. I loved our giant holly tree before it got damaged by a storm. I love old trees in good condition.

  • Wendy said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    I love Red Maple trees!

  • Sherry blamer said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    I love weeping willows. I just love the way they look.

  • mallory said...
    April 25, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    crepe myrtles!!

  • Melissa said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:56 am

    I love magnolia trees

  • Jessica said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:56 am

    Lilac trees/bushes are my favorite.

  • PDecker said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:52 am

    What’s your favorite tree?

    Cherry trees! I love the spring blossoms. A close second is the sugar maple because of the fall foliage.

  • Malinda said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I love the stories behind the prints ❤️ We have crabapple trees around here and I just love them!

  • Ellen Fisher said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:51 am

    This is a really cute print

  • Malinda said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:50 am

    I love hearing the stories behind the prints ❤️

  • Lexy Overstreet Broome said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:50 am

    My favorite tree is a palm tree. I grew up in south Florida so it always reminds me of the beach.

  • Hannah Littlefield​ said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:49 am

    My favorite tree is a pine tree. We used to use them as play houses when I was little.

  • Francine Long said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:38 am

    My favorite tree is the Birch Tree, second favorite is Weeping Willow.

  • Alexis Peterson said...
    April 25, 2017 at 11:33 am

    Mozart