Cayuga Nation Celebrates Earth Day 2025 With Community Clean-up at Seneca Falls Historical Society

In honor of Earth Day 2025, the Cayuga Nation continued its commitment to environmental stewardship and community collaboration by dedicating a day of service to beautifying the grounds of the Seneca Falls Historical Society.

On Tuesday, April 22, approximately 15 staff members from the Nation and its enterprises rolled up their sleeves for several hours of yard work. Their efforts included raking and bagging 80 large lawn bags full of leaves, pruning overgrown shrubs, weeding flower beds, and meticulously edging the sidewalks. The result was a refreshed and revitalized landscape surrounding one of the community’s most cherished cultural landmarks.

The Nation was joined by three members of the Seneca Falls United Way, who lent their hands and hearts to the effort, reflecting the shared commitment of local organizations to care for the environment and build stronger community ties.

“Our connection to the land is sacred and deeply rooted in our identity,” said Cayuga Nation Federal Representative Clint Halftown. “Earth Day is not just a symbolic occasion for us—it’s an extension of our traditional values. We care for the land because it is a living relative, and because our future depends on its health and balance.”

By partnering with the Seneca Falls Historical Society and welcoming volunteers from the Seneca Falls United Way, the Cayuga Nation continues to build bridges across the Finger Lakes region—uplifting shared histories and protecting shared resources.

The cleanup effort at the Seneca Falls Historical Society reflects the Cayuga Nation’s ongoing dedication to fostering strong partnerships within the Finger Lakes region. By choosing this site, the Nation also honored the interconnected history of the Haudenosaunee and the broader story of the region’s past.

“Land stewardship is more than conservation—it’s a responsibility,” Halftown continued. “We’re proud to invest in the well-being of our shared environment and to work alongside our neighbors to preserve it for generations to come.”

The Cayuga Nation’s participation in Earth Day is just one example of its broader environmental initiatives, including advocacy for the return of ancestral lands.