April 19, 2016
Each year, since 1970, April 22 has marked Earth Day. On this date communities and individuals reflect on environmental issues, focus on environmental causes and generally celebrate the earth.
Join in on the holiday by attending an educational event. Philadelphia offers opportunities to learn about gardening, farming and park preservation.
Trail and park clean-ups and family-friendly celebrations will also take place throughout the Earth Day weekend.
This Earth Day the National Constitution Center will celebrate the National Park Service. During the full day of activities, join in arts and crafts, play trivia games and meet with both the nation's first ladies and President Theodore Roosevelt.
April’s full moon, which falls on Earth Day, is considered a Full Pink Moon. The term was used by early Colonial Americans, who learned the name from local Native Americans. Naming each month's full moon helped to track the seasons. The first spring wildflowers, like the bright pink wild phlox, bloom in April and inspired the name.
To celebrate Earth Day, the Peach Valley Nature Center in Bucks County will host a Full Pink Moon walk beginning at 8 p.m.
Volunteer with The Nature Conservancy and Keep Philadelphia Beautiful to clean up Hunting Park in North Philadelphia. The event is part of the Philadelphia Science Festival.
Attendees should wear sturdy shoes and sunscreen to the clean-up, which will mainly focus on painting and trash pick-ups. Gloves and other equipment will be provided.
There will be lunch and morning refreshments, but bringing extra water is recommended for the day.
Registration is required and those under 18 need a parent or legal guardian to attend.
Friday, April 22
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free
Hunting Park
900 Hunting Park Avenue
Sly Fox Brewing Company and Schuylkill River Heritage Area teamed up for a weekend focused on celebrating the Schuylkill River Trail. Beginning Friday, April 22 there will be cleanup projects, fitness events and a party.
On Saturday, the fitness activities begin. Participants can choose to kayak, run or bike to St. Michael's Field in Mont Clare, Montgomery County, for a celebratory party.
Times and registration fees throughout the weekend vary. The Mont Clare after-party begins at 3 p.m.
Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24
Schuylkill River Trail
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, in partnership with the Philadelphia Science Festival, will host a family-friendly Earth Day celebration.
During the all-day celebration, there will be science activities, crafts, nature walks and live animal shows. Grab lunch at a food truck, explore the trails and join in a fort-building competition, too.
Special guests for the day include Kathy O’Connell from WXPN's Kids Corner and the Phillie Phanatic.
Saturday, April 23
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
8480 Hagy's Mill Road
Snipes Farm and Education Center in Bucks County will host a potluck lunch on Saturday, April 23. Guests are invited to bring dishes to share, while learning about the farm's connection to the community.
During the Morris Arboretum's celebration, guests will learn about gardening. The event will discuss how to choose garden plants and experiment with seeds to create an indoor or outdoor garden.
Then explore three different garden stations to find inspiration for your own.
Stop by the Upper Gallery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about trees during an Arbor Day related demonstration. Discover which everyday items, such as cough syrup and cinnamon, are made from trees.
100 E. Northwestern Avenue
(215) 247-5777
Tiffany Purnell of Tapwood Carving will lead a terrarium workshop at the PSPCA's Fishtown Center. The belated Earth Day workshop will be on Tuesday, April 26 and is part of the center's speaker series, an initiative through the Humane Education Outreach to connect communities.
The event is $15, with a limited amount of seats, and registration is required.
Attendees of the workshop are being asked to bring their own jars for the terrarium gardens, as well as any special rocks or figurines that they would like to include. All other supplies will be provided, and recommendations on size and type of jar will be sent to those who register.
Tuesday, April 26
7 p.m. | $15 per person
PSPCA Fishtown Center
1546 Frankford Avenue
