The founder of Earth Day, Gaylord Nelson, considered the original celebration on April 22, 1970, to be the environmental movement’s coming-of-age in American politics. Ten years later, Nelson wrote about the importance of not forgetting what that day accomplished—the foundation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and much more. He also urged Americans to think about the importance of the environment beyond politics, how “our very survival will depend on whether or not we are able to preserve, protect, and defend our environment.”
For Earth Day’s 55th Anniversary, you can explore ways to do your part in keeping the Earth clean right here in Philly. Visit green areas, celebrate with the community, and spend some time giving back.
Earth Day at Awbury Arboretum
The Farm at Awbury | 6336 Ardleigh Street, Philadelphia, PA 19138
April 19, 12 am – 4 pm
Visitors can have fun and help out at Awbury Farm. Volunteer activities around the farm will include pulling vines and weeds from old trees, collecting debris like sticks and fallen tree limbs, and pulling invasive plants. Organizations like Landbased Jawn, The Philly Goat Project, and The Philadelphia Handweavers Guild will have games and demos. You can participate in workshops and activities like foraging for plants and making leaf art.
Spring Fest at Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19143
April 19, 10 am – 2 pm
Bartram’s Garden Spring Fest will have various activities and workshops available. Artistic activities will include block printing by Ginger Arts Center and a hands-on natural dye activity from Ampersand Textiles. Visitors can take guided tours of the historic Bartram House and the 19th-century flower garden, or volunteer to get hands-on and plant trees. Opportunities for growers include a seed swap and a market to purchase local heirloom plants.
Volunteer Day at Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19143
April 12 & 26, 9:30 am -12 pm
Bartram’s Garden has two volunteer days this month, on the 12th and on the 26th. Either day volunteers can help at the Sankofa Community Farm, wedding, mulching and removing invasive species. Or they can choose the horticulture path and work on the greenhouse, or in the botanical garden.
A Broader Green: An Earth Day Service Project
699 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
April 22, 10 am – 2 pm
Join Temple Alumni and the North Broad Renaissance to prepare 15 planting beds for landscaping and help plant over 100 perennials. This project helps beautify North Broad Street, improve air quality and promote urban biodiversity.
City Nature Challenge
April 25 – 28
The City Nature Challenge is an international competition between the cities of the world. Explore your backyard and street or visit one of the many parks and trails in the Greater Philadelphia area to start making observations. Help our region to win by documenting plants, animals, and fungi via the iNaturalist app.
