Earth Day and Environmental Activism in Arlington– the Legacy of Julia Burgen

The purpose of The Compass Rose is to raise awareness of Special Collections' resources and to foster the use of these resources. The blog series also reports significant new programs, initiatives, and acquisitions of Special Collections.   

The First Earth Day at UTA  

Before 1970, the U.S. skies were filled with smog, lakes and rivers were used as dumping grounds for harmful pollutants, and factories had no regulations or guidelines for disposing of toxic waste. The deterioration of the American environment quickly became a part of the political dialogue and in the Spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson, created a national holiday, Earth Day, in hopes of shedding light on these concerns. On April 22, 1970, the first official Earth Day was celebrated with peaceful demonstrations across the country. Thousands of students and citizens participated in one of the nation’s largest grassroot efforts to express their public support, energy, and commitment to save our environment.  

The Fort-Worth Star Telegram reported on this inter-generational effort to celebrate the first Earth Day and highlighted how students of all ages participated in parades, speeches, and demonstrations to get involved. The Citizen Journal even provided examples of the essay assignments created at Hill Elementary School in Arlington for the event. One 9-year-old boy, Donald Griffin wrote, “Oh buteful we won’t be able to sing anymore because America won’t be buteful. I’m talking about Fort Worth, Dallas, and Arlington, and I’m talking about our State Texas.” These poetic messages continued with older students at UTA where the fraternity members of Alpha Rho Chi held a symbolic funeral for an internal combustion engine on campus. The students wore gas masks while shoveling dirt over the machinery as a symbolic gesture of automobile pollution. They were joined by Congressman Jim Wright and Senator Ralph Yarborough as they planted a live oak tree on top of the burial site. 

In his keynote address to UTA later that day, Congressman Wright emphasized the importance of this environmental movement by stating that “Americans have been living in a fool’s paradise, despoiling land which is no longer being replaced by new frontiers." Students at UTA had the opportunity to attend discussions on pollution problems, courses in protesting and activism, and other environmental “teach-in” events throughout the day.  

Earth Day and the Environmental Movement in Texas Mini-Exhibit  

Similar Earth Day activities are held across the nation every April 22^nd to promote environmental activism and provide educational training. This year, to celebrate the 55^th anniversary of this national holiday, UTA Special Collections will be displaying a mini-exhibit, “Earth Day and the Environmental Movement in Texas” on the 6^th floor of Central Library. Through the month of April, guests can stop by to see photos, documents, and ephemera from the archival collections of various environmental organizations and activists to learn about UTA’s participation in Earth Day events over the years, as well as the broader environmental movement in North Texas.  

Julia Burgen’s Environmental Legacy in Arlington  

Some of the items showcased in this mini-exhibit come from the recently acquired collection, the Julia Burgen Papers (Unproc. 2020-33). This collection contains the legal documents, personal correspondence, campaign materials, project policies, photographs, and ephemera of the environmental activist and Arlington City Council member, Julia Burgen. 

Julia Burgen’s legacy can be seen today in the trees, parks, and greenery throughout Arlington, Texas.  She spent her life dedicated to preserving our natural resources and advocating for environmental protections across North Texas. Burgen (1934-2023) graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1951 before attending Southern Methodist University to study History. After raising her three daughters, Burgen decided to dive deeper into environmentalist activities and projects. She completed her Interdisciplinary Master’s Degree with an emphasis on the Natural Sciences and Education in 1986 before joining several advocacy organizations including the Texas Committee on Natural Resources, the Audubon Society, the Sierra Club, the Tarrant Coalition for Environmental Awareness, and the Recycling Coalition of Arlington. In her notes for her own personal history, Burgen reflects on seeing the first Earth Day celebrations and recalls the emotional response that she “could not deny or brush off."

She channeled this passion into all of her work and founded the Arlington Conservation Council in 1994. It was during her presidency of this Council in 1995 that she learned the City Council would be voting on whether or not to accept $4.5 million in federal funds from the Army Corp of Engineers to create a concrete flood control channel along Johnson Creek in Arlington. Burgen quickly met with the City Council and urged them to reject the funding and instead enact greener solutions such as building parks and recreation trails along the creek. Julia was passionate about creeks and rivers and understood how their erosion impacted the city of Arlington, which was already facing many issues of flooding and drainage. She believed there were alternative solutions that could address the flood zones while working with the natural ecosystem. In a 5-4 vote, the Council rejected the funding for the concrete solution and opted instead for Burgen’s environmental vision. 

Her service on governmental committees and direct impact on this Johnson Creek vote, led her to run for City Council in 1997. She won and served three consecutive terms. She spent her years as a City Council Member dedicated to environmental preservation and parks legislation. Over the course of her life, Burgen received several awards and honors on both the state and national level including the Woman of the Year, League of Women Voters Texas Individual Award, Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, and the Evelyn R. Edens Award.  In 2017 the City of Arlington dedicated to Burgen, one of the parks that was built around Johnson Creek. The 66-acre linear park, known as Julia Burgen Park, can be found today at 1008 Ruby St. in Arlington.   

For Julia, environmentalism was a way of life. She explained her personal philosophies in a 1992 document: “For me it is fairly easy being green. Lifestyle priorities are ordered around my belief system. That system affirms that our world is a sacred place." Her life’s work – which was documented through city council agendas, meeting minutes, project plans, correspondence, newsletters, policies, campaign materials, photographs and more – has been preserved so that future Arlington residents can understand and appreciate her environmental impact and its legacy. The Julia Burgen Papers are currently unprocessed but remain available for research upon request. Please reach out to Special Collections with any questions.  

Sources 

Dillingham, Patti, “Wright Speaks at U.T.A.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, April 23, 1970.  

“Julia Burgen Obituary.” Dallas Morning News, October 8, 2023.  

Julia Burgen Papers, 2020-33, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries  

“Students Probe Earth Problems.” The Arlington Daily, April 23, 1970.   

“Students Write of Litter, Pollution.” Arlington Citizen Journal, April 28, 1970.