Which nonprofit name did Earth Day organizers start using on letterhead after 'Environmental Teach-In'?

Earth Day organizers began using the nonprofit name “Environmental Action” on letterhead after “Environmental Teach-In.”

The original campaign was commonly framed as a national environmental teach-in, reflecting the educational demonstrations and public discussions planned for April 22, 1970. As the campaign expanded, its national office adopted “Environmental Action” on letterhead and publications. The change helped present the effort as a broader organization and connected its educational program with practical political pressure.

The shift happened while “Earth Day” was becoming the event’s widely recognized public name. Advertising executive Julian Koenig helped popularize that phrase, while Denis Hayes coordinated the national operation and Senator Gaylord Nelson remained the campaign’s principal instigator. The organization’s administrative name and the event’s public name were therefore not identical.

“Friends of Earth” is a plausible-sounding distractor because Friends of the Earth is a real environmental network, founded in 1969. It was not the name adopted on this campaign’s letterhead. “Environmental Action” belongs specifically to the early national Earth Day organization.