Earth Day 2009 in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

The Washington, DC metropolitan area has a variety of Earth Day activities that make caring for the planet fun for all ages. You can pitch in and help clean up any of the region’s parks or attend a family event that includes learning ways to improve our environment and make a difference.

2009 Earth Day Events

Earth Day on the National Mall
April 19, 2009. Washington, DC will hold one of the largest Earth Day gatherings in America on the National Mall to rally support for national action on global warming. This year the focus is on environmental volunteerism. The event will include a free festival with music, entertainment, speakers and environmental activities.

Potomac Watershed Cleanup
Annual Cleanup Day, April 4, 2009, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Throughout April, families can help remove trash from one of 276 sites along the Potomac River in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Anacostia Watershed
April 18, 2009, cleanup at 8:30 a.m.; rallies noon to 3 p.m. Several locations in the Washington, DC area. Celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up along our local streams and keeping trash out of the Anacostia River.

Earth Day Cleanup at the National Zoo
April 18, 2009. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Join Zoo staff and other visitors in keeping our ecosystem healthy and picking up litter, aluminum cans, snack food wrappers, and other litter that will be sorted into recyclables and trash. Talk to members of the Zoo's Green Team about sustainability initiatives, and representatives from other organizations about what ordinary people can do to build solutions to global issues such as climate change. Children can participate in fun and educational activities.

Alexandria Earth Day
April 25, 2009, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ben Brenman Park. This year's theme, Take the Green Route, focuses on efficient and eco-friendly transportation options such as walking, bicycling, ridesharing, and riding public transit. Activities include recycling and composting demonstrations, live music, an Arbor Day tree planting, a performance by Blue Sky Puppets, and a launch of the Eco-City Action Plan Phase II.

Montgomery County Earth Day
Throughout April, parks, nonprofit agencies, community groups, businesses, schools, clubs, religious groups, etc. are hosting volunteer activities for Earth Day. Sign up for a neighborhood cleanup or create your own project. 240-777-2600.