2012 Earth Day Events
Earth Day on the National MallApril 22, 2012. The Earth Day event returns this year to include a massive rally, top musicians, civic leaders, and celebrity speakers. The Environmental Protection Agency will also host family friendly hands-on activities in their National Sustainable Design Expo where EPA, green businesses, non-profits and college students from across the country will showcase their efforts to protect the planet.
Potomac Watershed Cleanup
Annual Cleanup Day, April 14, 2012, 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 21, 2012, 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 22, 2012, 8 a.m.-10 a.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.
United States Botanic Garden
2012 Date to Be Announced, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. National Mall, Washington DC. Several “green” programs are being offered and many experts will be on hand to lend gardening advice. Learn about the U.S. Botanic Garden’s Landscape for Life program and how your home and neighborhood can be gardened sustainably. Other partners from throughout the region will provide fresh ideas for food, health and life. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and plan to get your hands dirty by potting a plant to take home or to your office.
Alexandria Earth Day
April 21, 2012, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ben Brenman Park. The event 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.
Earth Day Festival at Brookside Gardens
2012 Date to be Announced, 12-4 p.m. Wheaton, MD. Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day with an all-day festival, featuring a series of daytime events and activities, and a documentary film showing and reception in the evening. Kick off the day by participating in the Earth Day Network’s Global Day of Service through a volunteer planting project; or enjoy a bird walk around the gardens; then have the whole family join in on the interactive children’s activities, and visit the educational exhibit fair. 301-962-1429.
EarthDay@Loudoun Family Festival
April 22, 2012, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Willow Creek Farm, Broadlands, VA. This admission-free festival will offer a complete educational experience on what it means to "Go Green" with contributions from more than 70 eco-exhibitors including solar, sustainable landscaping, alternative transportation, energy efficiency and more. The event features live music throughout the day from area artists, a beer and wine garden, live animal exhibits and eco-conscience marketplace.
