ATLANTA, April 22 (UPI) -- Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell marked Earth Day in Atlanta Friday by joining a massive tree-planting project.
Leavell and some 250 volunteers planted about 200 dogwood, Japanese persimmon, crabapple, nuttall oak and other trees, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
"The importance of this material cannot be overstated," Leavell said of the trees. "I wouldn't have my piano to play; Charlie Watts wouldn't have his drums; Keith Richards wouldn't have his guitar."
His efforts were part of the 35th celebration of Earth Day, a holiday created by environmental activists in the United States, but has since spread worldwide.
China issued its "World Earth Day" stamp in Beijing Friday, The People's Daily reported. The State Post Bureau said the stamp was aimed at encouraging society to treasure resources and protect the Earth.
In Ireland, hundreds of businesses declared themselves "GM Free Zones," in a nod to the controversy waging over genetically modified crops, Ireland Today said.
President Bush's Earth Day visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was canceled due to bad weather.
