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Earth Day has a storied history. It was founded in 1970, as polluted rivers were catching fire, biodiversity was rapidly declining and smog was a fact of life in cities throughout the U.S. That year, an astounding twenty million people decided they had had enough. Together, they threw one of the largest protests in history in the form of activities and festivals where they protested environmental degradation and also celebrated Earth’s bounty.
Since 1970, Earth Day has spread far beyond the U.S. Last year, an estimated 1 billion people participated in Earth Day events in more than 192 countries. Together, they fought to establish a greener world with more trees, cleaner water, cleaner air and less greenhouse gas emissions.
In honor of this year’s Earth Day, we’ve got together a list of events and volunteer opportunities occurring across NYC this Earth Day that members of Climate Week NYC are looking forward to the most.
1. Earth Day 5K Green Tour 2018
Earth Day Initiative
Saturday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Soundview Park, Morrison Ave and Lafayette Ave, Bronx, NY 10473
This tour from the Earth Day Initiative is a fantastic way to get outside on Earth Day and get involved with some of the great green groups around NYC. Sites this year include:
- A living green wall.
- A Broadway theater that’s going green.
- A solar energy tutorial.
- An upcycling planting activity with sustainable beauty brand Innisfree.
- Lunch provided by Ancolie.
You’ll travel from site to site and learn about what each group is doing on the ground to help green the city. The tour is great for school groups, employee engagement teams or anyone who wants to learn more about some of the environmental work being done right around the corner.
Price: between $33- $50. RSVP here.
RSVP required.
2. Bronx River Cleanup
NYC Government Parks
Saturday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Soundview Park, Morrison Ave and Lafayette Ave, Bronx, NY 10473
Enjoy the outdoors and a nice workout at this event. In honor of Earth Day, the Bronx River Alliance and United Blue are hosting a volunteer-focused event to clean up the Soundview Park. The Soundview Park’s beautiful bank is polluted by debris and trash that is threatening the health of animals and the water quality.
Please Note: registration is required. RSVP here.
Free. RSVP Necessary.
3. Family Art Project: Earth Day Gratitude Garden
NYC Government Parks
Saturday, April 21, between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
649 W 249th St, Bronx, NY 10471 (On the corner of Independence Ave. and West 249th Street)
At this kid-focused event, participate in Earth Day with your child in an engaging way. Activities include creating a miniature garden using clay, and planting a paper flag of what your child is thankful for in a communal “gratitude garden.”
Free and Kid Friendly. No RSVP Necessary.
4. Harlem Grown’s Earth Day Celebration
Harlem Grown
Saturday April 21, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
3 different locations (all within walking distance of each other):
- 134th Street Farm: 118 W 134th Street Manhattan, NY 10030
- 127th Street Farm: 77 127th Street Manhattan, NY 10030
- 131st Street Farm: 34 W 131st Street
Love getting your hands dirty? Well, this is the event for you. Harlem Grow, a charity focused on city farming, is hosting their beloved annual Earth Day event across three farms in Upper Manhattan. According to Harlem Grow, the event will include a variety of family friendly activities focused on making Harlem a “little greener.”
Free and Kid Friendly. No RSVP Necessary.
5. Earth Day Hike: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
NYC Government Parks
Sunday April 22, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
There is nature everywhere, even in a city as crowded as New York. Don’t believe it? The Urban Park Rangers will attempt to prove you wrong this Earth Day during a free Earth Day Hike where they will reveal the hidden gems of NYC’s parks.
Free. No RSVP Required. Show up on time and bring water and a light snack.
6. Earth Day Fashion Show
EventBrite
Sunday, April 22, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Legendary Republic, 258 Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Love the environment, but more interested in fashion than hiking? Look no further than the annual Earth Day Fashion Show hosted by the New School. The fashion show, held between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm, showcases local designers focused on producing sustainable fashion pieces. The Fashion Show costs between $23 and $33 dollars and fills up fast, so make sure to register sooner rather than later for this innovative fashion event.
Price: Between $23- $33. RSVP Required.
7. Audubon Society’s Earth Day Celebration in Prospect Park
Gowanus Lounge
Sunday April 22, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Attend the Audubon Center’s 25th Earth Day Celebration at the scenic Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY. Activities include fishing lessons from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and a tour of ‘Raptors at the Boathouse’ by wildlife specialists from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Fun Fact: Frederick Law Olmstead, the architect of Central Park, believed Prospect Park was his masterpiece. He considered Central Park to be a trial run and believed he corrected his most egregious mistakes of Central Park’s design in his design of Prospect Park.
Free and Kid Friendly. RSVP Required.
8. Earth Day Hike: Inwood Hill Park
NYC Government Parks
Sunday, April 22, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street in Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan)
Celebrate this Earth Day by participating in a scenic tour of Inwood Hill Park, home to the last natural forest and salt marsh in New York City. Led by the city’s famous Urban Park Rangers, you will surely learn a lot about New York City’s history and see some gems.
Free and Kid Friendly. Show up on time and bring water and a light snack.