(Updated 4/18!) Celebrated worldwide on April 22, Earth Day is a day all about protecting our environment by thinking globally while acting locally. There are many special Earth Day events to celebrate going on all over the area - from Burlington to Hillsborough and everywhere in between! Check out the Earth Day events below!
Plus find 12 ideas for how your family can celebrate Earth Day April 22nd ... and every day.
Local Community Events |
Wednesday, April 19
- Earth Day Celebration at Graham Farmer's Market
- Join Alamance Arts at FUMC's weekly market for a special Earth Day Craft for the kiddos while you pick up some local produce.
Thursday, April 20
- Kids Explore... Earth Day! at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough
- Did someone say... wildflower seed bombs?! Registration Required
Friday, April 21
- Fun Fridays - Earth Day
at the Children's Museum of Alamance County
- Special Earth Day themed story and craft ... included with $5 Museum admission
- Caterpillar Care Carnival
at the Children's Museum of Alamance County
- Come create a habitat for your caterpillars and learn about the life cycle of a caterpillar/butterfly through games, activities, and an age-appropriate story. Registration required.
Saturday, April 22 EARTH DAY!
- Haw River Island Ramble
at Saxaphaw Island Park
- Come join the Haw River Assembly as we run for the protection of our river. Walkers, runners, racers and ramblers alike are all welcome! Registration required.
- Panther Branch Natural Area Grand Opening
at the NEW Panther Branch Natural Area in Efland
- Join the Eno River Association with guided hikes, live music, critter exploration, & more as we celebrate the newest addition to the Eno River parks network! Registration required.
- Earth Day at the Animal Park
at the NC Animal Park at the Conservator Center
- See some wild animals and learn about various ways you can help save the planet and help animals like ours! Craft station, fossil dig, nature trails, and more!
- Becoming a Gardener: A Community Growing Event at North Park Farmer's Market Shelter
- Come for the seed kits - stay for the music & poetry!
- Backpacking Along the Haw Haw River Trail Glencoe Paddle Access
- What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to get out on the trails and spend the night by the Haw River?!
- Parent & Me Paint Class - Ladybugs at Painted Grape
- Can't handle the spring pollen outdoors? Express your love of nature through art!
- Piedmont Triad Water Lantern Festival at Lake Reidsville Park
- Bringing people together to Light the Water in a magical night that includes food, music, and beauty as the lanterns reflect upon the water. Supporting water.org
- Wild Under the Stars: Lyrid Meteor Shower Animal Park at the Conservator Center
- Head to the animal park for a Twilight tour & nighttime viewing party to observe all sorts of astrological phenomena. Level up your experience by camping out and enjoying the chorus of nighttime howls, roars, & calls of the parks' social carnivores.
Sunday, April 23
- Earth Day Celebration (Children's Nature Event) at Dinner Bell Farm
- Experience “learning in action” – combining discovery, activities, story, crafts, and celebrations - weaving in the trees, plants, and animals that are our kin.
Not looking for an organized event? Check out our local Parks & Playgrounds Guide that notes TONS of great places to go hiking around Alamance & N Orange - like our faves Alamance's Cedarock Park and Hillsborough's Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area.
Not up for a hike? There are some great places local to experience nature that don't involve boots, like the recently revamped Willowbrook Arboretum (featuring a treehouse, wetland gardens, as well as daylilies, hostas, azaleas, roses, hydrangeas, camellias, and more!)
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day |
Celebrate Earth Day EVERY day by doing just a few things that are easy for you and your family, but will have a big impact when we all follow these good Earth-friendly practices:
At home:
- Buy dry goods in bulk, since they typically use less packaging.
- Start seeds and map out a family garden, or sign up for a CSA to cut down on the carbon footprint of your grocery bill.
 Viktoriia Oleinichenko via Canva |
- Work on ways to reduce food waste, including meal planning, storing items properly, finding new ways to use leftovers, and preserving food you can’t use fast enough by freezing, canning, or dehydrating.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room and shut off the water when you’re not using it.
 RgStudio via Canva |
 Stocknroll via Canva |
Outside:
- Take a hike and enjoy being in nature. Bring a pair of gloves and a bag so you can pick up any trash you find along the way.
- Start a compost bin to use in your garden and flowerbeds.
- Make or buy a rain barrel and use the water you collect to water your plants.
- Learn about invasive species in your area and what you can do to help.
 FatCamera via Canva |
At school:
- Find out what your school currently recycles and if there is anything else you can add.
- Talk with your school about alternative recycling programs that accept snack bar wrappers, juice pouches, and even offer fundraising options.
 SergeyNivens via Canva |
Need more ideas? Check out these websites:
Looking for more family-friendly fun around the Burlington-Hillsborough, NC area? Check out our Full event Calendar!
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