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April 20, 2015

Philadelphia area marks Earth Day with volunteering, educational events

Honor the planet with activities all over the region

Events Earth Day
Earth Day File Art/for PhillyVoice

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22.

Earth Day was created in 1970 as a way to celebrate the planet and serve as a reminder to take care of it. Philadelphia will honor the day in a number of ways, ranging from volunteer opportunities to educational events to just plain fun. Check below for a list of local ways to respect Mother Earth this April 22.

RELATED: Green(er) Thumb: Reuse everyday objects for gardening

Earth Day at the National Constitution Center

Learn about the origins of Earth Day, explore the connection between green living and the Constitution and watch a special holiday edition of "Constitution Hall Pass." 

Wednesday, April 22
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Free with admission ($8-14.50)
(215) 409-6600

Celebrate Arbor Day AND Earth Day

Wilmington's Rodney Square will be filled with free plants and giveaways, raffles, vendors with green products, games, tree planting demonstrations, tree climbing and more.

Wednesday, April 22
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free admission
Rodney Square
10th and Market Streets, Wilmington, DE 
(302) 658-6262 

Earthworms on Earth Day

Children ages 3 and up (with an adult) will learn all about the creepy crawly worms that live in the earth and create a critter-themed craft.

Wednesday, April 22
1:00 pm | $5, pre-registration required
Norristown Farm Park
2500 Upper Farm Rd., Norristown, PA 
(610) 270-0215 

Spring Programs for Kids: Earth Day

Children 6 and up will learn all about how to make their lives more green. Then they'll make a craft using recycled products.

Wednesday, April 22
4 p.m. | Free admission
5501 N. 5th St.
(215) 685-2846

Earth Day Shop for a Cause

Head over to Athleta in Center City and shop 'til you drop. Ten percent of the night's proceeds will go to the Clean Air Council and Pure Fare and Sip n' Glo will serve light refreshments.

Wednesday, April 22
5-8 p.m. | Pay as you go
Athleta
1722-1724 Walnut St.
(215) 732-1983

Earth Day Shorts Program

In honor of the 1970s' spirit that helped establish Earth Day and all that humans have wrought since, International House will show five short films from 1970 through 2015 that exhibit the dystopian cinema in response to climate change.

Thursday, April 23
7 p.m. | $7-9
International House
3701 Chestnut St.
(215) 387-5125

EarthFest

Meant specifically for educators and students, Temple's EarthFest explores sustainability and nature preservation through outdoor activities. Over 75 exhibitors, like the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences, will be on hand to add to the fun.

Friday, April 24
9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free admission
Temple University Ambler Campus
580 Meetinghouse Rd., Ambler, PA

Earth Day Volunteer Event

Families and friends of all ages are welcome to the Newlin Grist Mill. For the fourth year in a row, volunteers will help preserve the park.

Saturday, April 25
10 a.m.-Noon | Free, registration required
Newlin Grist Mill
219 S. Cheyney Rd., Glen Mills, PA 
(610) 459-2359

25th Annual NarbEarth Day

This environmentally-focused family festival will have a silent auction, live music from Grip & Rip It, a plant swap and plenty of green living exhibitors.

Saturday, April 25
Noon-4 p.m. | Free admission
Narberth Park
80 Windsor Ave., Narberth, PA

Earth Day at Appel Farm

Live music, family line dancing, flower pot painting, gardening and more will fill up Appel Farm. The Junk Jam Family Band will play while families participate in nature-themed art activities, an art show and free lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 26
Noon-4 p.m. | Free admission
Appel Farm Arts and Music Center
457 Shirley Rd., Elmer, NJ.

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