Earth Month Planner
This year marks the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day. Beginning as a focused day of public demonstration on April 22, 1970 that drew hundreds of thousands to the streets, Earth Day has since morphed and changed. Now it’s a month-long celebration for our planet that includes community fairs and outdoor experiences. Nevertheless it’s held on to progressive roots through protests, rallies, and marches. The aim of this planner is to help you find a wide range of options so you can appreciate the Earth in the way that speaks to you. Let’s dive in!
Youth Movement and Rallies
Palo Alto March & Rally for Climate Justice
Apr 21, 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
The Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition and 350 SV Palo Alto invites all community members to rally and march with powerful activists, local leaders, and community organizations from all over the Bay Area on Friday, April 21 at 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto City Hall. LINK
“Youth for Climate Policy” Zoom event. April 21, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Organized by a coalition including: Sustainable San Mateo County, 350 Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action, and others. Goals: enable youth to actively express their concerns to local government/environmental organizations to better their communities, and provide resources/calls to action/next steps past Earth Day. (For info, contact Jayden.) LINK
Public Comment Workshop (Acterra)
April 5 at 6:00 PM
Hear from climate policy advocate and City Councilmember Sudhanshu Jain on writing effective public comments, delivering speeches, and staying up-to-date on community initiatives. Gain the tools and confidence to advocate for the issues that matter to you. Brought to you by Acterra’s Student Ambassadors Program. LINK
Get Outside
Easy Hike at Wavecrest
Apr 6, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Join Peninsula Open Space Trust for a very easy 2-mile walk at Wavecrest Open Space in Half Moon Bay. LINK
Castles & Peregrine Falcons
Apr 13, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Walk along beautiful Pine Creek and marvel at the magnificent rock formations and wildflowers. Discover Diablo. LINK
Sunset Hike at Mindego Hill
Apr 15, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Join POST for a beautiful 5-mile hike from the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve to the top of the POST-protected Mindego Hill.Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). LINK
Earth Day at Del Valle Park (East Bay Regional Parks)
Apr 22, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Go on a scavenger hunt, make a craft to take home, explore the Oak Hills trail, and get up close with animal specimens. LINK
Earth Day for the Bees at Coyote Hills Regional Park (East Bay Regional Parks)
Apr 22, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join them in their Nectar Garden for the Global Earth Challenge Bee Campaign this Earth Day. Monitor pollinator populations, learn the importance of bees and other pollinators, and take home a native bee-friendly plant. LINK
Earth Day at the UC Botanical Garden, UC Berkeley
Apr 22, noon–3:00 PM
Celebrate Earth Day by taking a botanical adventure to see plants from around the world! About the event: LINK
Volunteer Opportunities:
2023 Earth Day Volunteer Opportunities from East Bay Regional Park District LINK
Street to Beach cleanups (available in different locations)
On Earth Day – Saturday, April 22nd 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM PST LINK
2023 Earth Day Climate Action Workdays
(The list of volunteers in different locations). LINK
Invest in Our Planet Earth Day Celebration
Apr 22, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
A Day of Service with Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corps (NDC) to Location: Brookfield Elementary School, Oakland. LINK
Volunteer at Cooley Landing
April 30, 2022 9:00 AM 11:00 AM
Volunteers will learn about the ecology of Cooley Landing, how to identify invasive species, and spend the rest of the morning clearing our native planting areas of invasive species. No prior experience weeding required. LINK
Celebrations and Festivals
San Jose State Sustainable Art Gala
Apr 14, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Student Union Ballroom One Washington Square. San Jose Meatspace is a student-run ‘zine that publishes art created by SJSU students. Come celebrate the Spring 2023 issue (the theme is “SolarPunk: Greener Pastures,” where technology combines in harmony with plants and nature).View amazing artwork, meet the artists, eat and drink, and get a chance to win prizes. LINK
Sunnyvale’s Earth Day Fair celebration
Apr 15, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Location: Sunnyvale Public Library. LINK
Love Our Earth Festival
Apr 22, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy plant-based eats, awesome live cooking demos with local chefs, a Plant-based Market (hosted by Acterra) featuring local businesses promoting sustainable eating, EV Expo, expert advice on home electrification, music, and family-oriented arts and crafts. Goodwill will be on-site collecting items for repurposing and reuse. Bring your clothing, electronics, books, small household appliances and gadgets, kitchenware, and more to drop off. And connect with community groups supporting food justice and healthy eating. LINK
Earth Day SF
Apr 22, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Golden Gate Park, County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way. LINK
Annual Earth Day Citywide Clean-Up and Community Fair, City of Hayward
Apr 22, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The Annual Earth Day Citywide Clean-Up & Community Fair is a litter pick-up event hosted at Weekes Park. LINK
Cupertino’s Annual Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival
Apr 22, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. LINK
Sunshine Gardens Green Tour
Apr 22, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tour a green apartment complex that cut its greenhouse gas emissions through multiple eco-renovations and enjoy an induction cooking demo “EZ Seasoning for Earth Day” by Chef and environmentalist Laura Stec, raffle drawing, scavenger hunt, and more. Address: 132 West Dana St, Mountain View.
Kid-Friendly Activities:
Oakland Zoo
4 Saturdays in April (Apr 8, 15, 22, 29), 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The zoo will celebrate Earth Month on four Saturdays in April. Starting on April 8th, celebrate this wonderful planet we all call home with booths featuring our conservation partners and local environmental organizations, musical performances, art, crafts, and more.
LINK
Earth Day Seed Planting for Kids
Apr 22, 9:00 – 1:00 AM
Join the Foodwise Classroom (the green tent in front of San Francisco’s Ferry Building) to plant herb, flower, or veggie seeds for the season ahead. We’ll supply starter trays, potting mix, and seeds, and share tips for caring for your seeds once you get them home. LINK
Big Art Weekend: Reuse, Recreate, Reimagine
Apr 22 & 23, 10:00 AM– 4:00 PM
Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
In honor of Earth Day, celebrate the art of nature and creative reuse. Around every corner, you’ll discover new possibilities for creativity.
LINK
Electrification Events:
Induction Cooking Workshop (Acterra)
Apr 4, 6:30 PM
Join Acterra and Chef in Residence Kelvin Briggs for a virtual Plant-Based Induction Cooking Class and learn how to prepare a scrumptious Vegan Thai Peanut Curry accompanied by refreshing Pineapple Mint Lemonade. In addition to exploring the art of cooking on an induction hob, you’ll also discover the advantages of following a plant-based diet. LINK
E-Bikes and EVs in the Park (Acterra)
Apr 15, 10:00 AM
Test ride an e-bike for Earth Month AND a chance to win a brand new RadRunner 2 Electric Utility Bike from Rad Power Bikes – a $1500 value!*
Acterra’s E-bike Ambassadors will be available to show you specific features of their own e-bikes and explain how e-bikes work, the various types of e-bikes, and which models might be the best fit for you. PLUS! View a variety of electric vehicles that represent the hottest, fastest, coolest, and most-fun-to-drive vehicles on the road today. LINK
Lecture | Forum: Commercial Kitchens in an Electric Era (Acterra)
Apr 19, 12:00 PM -1:00 PM
Hear from pioneers in the field of commercial kitchen electrification as they discuss its environmental benefits as well as lessons learned during the planning, design, and implementation process. You will come away with a better understanding of current challenges and innovative advances underway in commercial kitchens in today’s era of “electrifying everything.” LINK
Green@Home Workshop: Induction Cooktops (Acterra)
Apr 26 , 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
A brand new season of virtual Green@Home workshops that will help you get started on your journey to home electrification! This user-friendly presentation will be given by Leo Steinmetz, Acterra’s Beneficial Electrification Manager and will introduce you to the many benefits of induction cooktops, available rebates, and things to consider before making the switch from gas. LINK
Building Electrification and Decarbonization (1.5 LU|ZNCD)
Apr 27, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
This session will explore why building electrification is a key pathway to building decarbonization, which combined with a renewable grid and energy generation will have California reach carbon neutrality by 2045. LINK
Documentaries to Watch this Earth Month:
1. A Plastic Ocean (Prime)
2. My Octopus Teacher (Netflix)
3. Our Great National Parks (Netflix series)
5. Kiss the Ground (Netflix, Apple, Google, Prime)
6. A Life on Our Planet (Netflix)
7. Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story (Prime, Vudu, Apple)
8. The Territory (Disney+)
Your commitment to a healthy planet doesn’t have to end when the month of April comes to a close. While Earth Month is a great excuse to get more involved in sustainable events and habits, please make sure to get outside and celebrate Mother Earth all year round!
Additional research was contributed by Ellie Beltran-Vasquez and Wendy Chou