Earth Day’s 50th anniversary is arriving on April 22nd. Although you might be spending your time at home, don’t let that stop you. 

Even though EVERY day is Earth Day, we found ways to celebrate this official milestone. From happy hour with climate change artists to virtual talks from the writer of Captain Planet, these programs can engage all ages.

Monday, April 20

Watch the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation department take over on social media. Parks & Rec @ Home will be Earth Week-themed to connect viewers to Parks & Rec’s environmental programs and expert staff members, as well as to inspire a love of nature and passion to care for our environment and public spaces. Live streams can be accessed on Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation Facebook page at 3 pm.

Tuesday, April 21

Join the Earth Day Daily Challenge, a 22-day program that will encourage people to take a greener agenda. Each activity will be posted on a daily basis by Earth Day’s Network’s social media pages. You can participate by following its pages and adding the hashtags #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE to your involvement.

Wednesday, April 22nd (Earth Day!)

Join Green Philly in a digital celebration for 50 years of Earth Day from 12 pm to 1:30 pm! The live streaming event will include tales centering around the Captain Planeteers’ theme of Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Heart. Listen to authors and activists, as well as the director of Philly’s Youth Climate Strike on this special day.

After the session, there will be a virtual networking session with speakers and attendees.

The Michener Art Museum will be launching a day filled with activities that will coincide with its upcoming exhibition Rising Tides: Contemporary Art and the Ecology of Water. From reptile education to happy hours with climate change artists, the museum’s programs are filled with activities for all ages. All activities are free with pre-registration, and participants can access it after receiving their tickets.

Learn about environment justice at a student-led teach-in from 3 pm to 5 pm. The event will be hosted by Temple University Office of Sustainability, featuring Temple students who will discuss environmental and climate change justice in Philadelphia and other parts of the world. The meeting can be accessed via Zoom.

Sign up for a free solar assessment of your home or business through Solarize Philly. The Philadelphia Energy Authority is reopening this group-buying program for the fourth round of rooftop solar, now with a Solar Savings Grant Program for low- and moderate-income households. The City’s new Solar Rebate offers an additional incentive to go solar.

Learn more about Solarize Philly’s plan for more solar energy installations.

Thursday, April 23

Explore the virtual tour of Wissahickon Valley Watershed’s new website with Executive Director, Gail Farmer, at 12 pm. The one-hour tour features tools that will find a trail or preserve that’s perfect for you and a Q&A after the presentation. Register for the free tour here.

Friday, April 24

Support the Natural Lands by playing in the City Nature Challenge, which starts on Friday and ends on April 27th. The vent includes using a free mobile app to submit photos of plants and wildlife, encouraging nature appreciation and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s City Nature Challenge, however, will not be a competition; it will be a therapeutic and healing activity for all individuals.

Week-long activities

Join the Green Program in a week-long virtual panel series featuring speakers from NASA, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Nike, and more. The talks will center around global aspects in the sustainability world and RSVPs can be accessed on the Green Program’s website.

The Philadelphia Environmentalist Film Festival is encouraging you to stream this free feature screening. Discover the film Artifishal, which delves into the connections between people and rivers, protecting the future of the aquatic world. The film takes viewers into the passenger seat, diving into the possible extinction of the wild salmon and the dangers which fish hatcheries and fish farms entail. Director Josh Murphy’s documentary exposes the story of human mistakes in the world of sea life. Watch it via Youtube.

Although the playgrounds and athletic courts are closed in Philadelphia, the parks and trails are still open (but don’t forget social distancing and other opt outside etiquette).

From Columbus Square to Fernhill Park, reintroduce yourself to the local Philly parks by downloading these coloring postcards. If you want to color IN the parks, keep your body (and crayons) a safe distance away from others.

Don’t forget to view all of the eco-friendly tips that we’ve been sharing on social media throughout the month. Add the hashtag to your own green tips with #30ecoways to show us your own Earth Day pride.

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