MADISON, Wis. -- Earth Day started in 1970 to an enthusiastic response. While the event now has people from around the world participating, there's one local woman who considers Earth Day almost as important as her father's birthday.

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Tia Nelson, who is the daughter of Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, was a young girl when her father issued the call for action 38 years ago Tuesday.

Right up to his death, the former governor and U.S. senator supported conservation. For Tia Nelson, however, the man remains "pappa" to her and he serves as both a personal role model and hero.

Tia Nelson said that a love of the natural world has been ever present in her life.

"I don't ever remember consciously making a decision. It's always been a part of me," said Tia Nelson. "Somehow he imparted in me that interest and love for nature."

Nature continues to be a love for her. Most of how she lives -- from composting to caring for her vegetable beds -- is because of what she learned from her father.

"I do something every day of my life in honor of him. He is present with me in so many ways," she said.

That influence comes in some ways that she said she didn't expect.

Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day with early help from friends like President John F. Kennedy and support from his family.

"It's a bit intimidating to reflect on being the daughter of someone whose legacy is so extraordinary," she said.

However, Tia Nelsons said that she decided to try and carry on the extraordinary things her father began. An appearance at recent conference on global warming gave her a chance to share what's turning out to be natural.

"We hold ourselves accountable for the personal choices we make," she said. "If you commit yourself with integrity, values, purpose to something you care about, you can change the world!"

Changing the world isn't just her goal on this Earth Day -- made special by her father -- but every day of her life.

"I hope whatever the most important thing I do hasn't occurred yet!" she said.

Nelson graduated with a degree in wildlife ecology and is currently on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands and serves as co-chair of the governor's task force on global warming, WISC-TV reported.

Nelson said that she believes a change in the public's actions toward the environment needs to happen soon before all the hard work of the past is for nothing.