On April 22nd we celebrate Earth Day — a time to think about how we can help protect our planet and take part in activities like planting trees, conserving energy, helping cleanup efforts at parks and creeks. This is also a great time to commit to everyday habits that make our world a happier, healthier place to live. There are many easy environmentally conscious activities we can do this month — and all year long!

Special Earth Day-Themed Events:

— Butterfly Bonanza at the Science Mill
April 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Celebrate our planet and the amazing pollinators that help keep it green at Butterfly Bonanza & Pollinator Pals event! Enjoy free all-ages activities with admission, plus a live butterfly release and Pollinator Palooza Learning Lab for grades 3rd-8th – limited spots, see ticket options to reserve. Activities from 10am-2pm, museum open 10am-4pm.

Butterfly Bonanza!

— 2022 Earth Day Festival in Old Settlers Park
April 23, 9 a.m. – noon
This second annual 2022 Earth Day Festival aims to bring the community together while promoting the awareness to care for the Earth’s environment. The Earth Day Festival is a free event, no registration required, that is geared towards all ages, with a wide variety of activities and services. More info.

— Earth Day 2022 in Bee Cave Central Park
 April 23, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Take part in a nature walk, a 1 mile fun run, a scavenger hunt, a free yoga class, and enjoy live music by Reel Sheboygans. Buzzy Bee will hand out seedlings to plant, Healthy Pets will be providing treats for the dogs, and water stations will be around to refill your reusable water bottle. Free and open to the public! More info.

— Austin Nature Day at Austin Nature & Science Center
April 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the Austin Nature & Science Center and a group of wonderful partners for this free, in-person event to  celebrate the Earth and all its living and inanimate beauty! There will be animals to meet, exhibits to explore, and lots of activities to enjoy! No registration or fee necessary.

Austin Nature & Science Center

— Earth Day ATX at Huston-Tillotson University
April 23, 12 – 6 p.m.
After 2 years, Earth Day ATX will be returning to the Huston-Tillotson University campus on Saturday, April 23 with live music, food, exhibits, activities, and electric vehicles. More info.

— Seed Exchange & Kids Planting Event
April 23, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Stop by Sanctuary Holistic Kitchen in Georgetown to pick up free seeds from their seed supply, share some of your own with the community and bring the kiddos for a free planting event where every child will be sent home with a small pot of organic soil and seeds to grow. Free, but please register here.

— Get Out Gala with Families in Nature
April 22 – 24, anytime/anywhere
Join Families in Nature in a virtual fundraising event. Spending time in nature is the very best way to love the earth and celebrate Earth Day. Visit their website to get a ticket for their virtual gala, spend some time with family  in a nature location that is meaningful to you, then share your experience on social media with  @familiesinnature and the hashtag #fallinlovewithnature for a chance a great prizes. More info.

— Waterloo Green Day at Waterloo Park
April 24, 12 – 4 p.m.
Join Waterloo Greenway Conservancy at a free, family-friendly Earth Day celebration called Waterloo Green Day. Enjoy live music, a birds of prey showcase, reptile show, hands-on workshops for children with GirlStart, Mad Scence, and Kupira Marimba. There will also be a panel with City of Austin leaders and community partners with educational programming on topics including climate change, alternative energy, water sustainability, Central Texas biodiversity. More info.

Waterloo Green Day event; photo by Alicia Wells

For even more Earth Day events, please check out our calendar.

Everyday Activities:

— Recycle: Of course you recycle! You’re totally doing your part to help Mother Earth, and you’re teaching the kids about the importance of being environmentally friendly. But to give you and the kids a little refresher on what can and cannot be recycled, check out these 10 Do’s & Don’ts of Recycling in Austin.

— Reuse: Now, more than ever is a great time to think about how to turn “trash to treasure”.  Need to make some face masks for the family? Look to your own closet for materials that might work from clothes that no longer fit. Need to give the kids a project? See what they can make out of an old cardboard box. Austin Creative Reuse is a wonderful resource for materials, ideas and inspiration.

— Enjoy a Plant-Based Meal: Did you know that cutting back on the amount of meat you eat per week can help decrease greenhouse gases? Plan a vegetarian meal on Earth Day. Not in the mood to cook? Check out some local spots that offer plant-based options such as Flower Child, Mama Fu’s, Kerbey Lane Cafe, and more. Want to learn more about your food’s impact? Visit the Earth Day Network’s online resource for Fighting Climate Change with Diet Change.

— Unplug: Do you ever forget to turn off the t.v. or the lights when you leave a room? Of course, it happens. But getting the entire family involved in remembering to conserve is a big step in the right direction. A large majority of the energy that powers our homes comes directly from fossil fuels. If we unplug our electronic devices, and only use the electrical energy when needed, this will reduce our home’s energy demand and carbon emission.

— Plant a Tree: Could you benefit from some shade in your yard? Want to offer shelter and food for animals such as friendly neighborhood squirrels? Now’s a great time to go ahead and plant a tree! Trees absorb carbon dioxide then release oxygen back into the atmosphere for people to breathe.  There are several stores open in some capacity for curbside and delivery options, such as The Great Outdoors,  Breed&Co., Home Depot, and Lowe’s.

Even More Ways to Be Environmentally Conscious:

Photo from WeAreTeachers.com Earth Day Crafts

Make Some Eco-Art:

Check out one of these great round-ups below of easy Earth Day crafts from bug & fairy houses to bird feeders, wind chimes, and much more — using reusable materials.

Happy Earth Day!