Editor’s Note: Drop a comment if you know of any other events you want to share!
In-person events are back as people slowly reintroduce themselves to dining in, large gatherings and a return to the office.
But even as indoors becomes less taboo, let’s not forget the great outdoors, which served us well over the past two years. And what better time to show your gratitude to the parks than Earth Day.
The annual event, with this year’s theme of “Invest in our Planet,” is on Friday, April 22. But if Friday doesn’t work too well for you, there’s still plenty else to do this month.
Great Lakes Now compiled a list of events from around the Great Lakes region. The list is far from a comprehensive one, so be sure to check out your local watershed councils and environmental organizations for more events!
Earth Day events 2022 by state and province
Regionwide:
- Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup – Multiple Rotary Clubs around the region
Join your local Rotary Club in their efforts to organize a regionwide group cleanup of all five lakes from Saturday, April 16 to Saturday, April 23.
- Earth Day – EARTHDAY.ORG
One of the larger U.S.-based Earth Day organizations has a handy interactive map showcasing affiliated Earth Day events internationally.
- Earth Day – Earth Day Canada
Earth Day Canada also has a calendar of Earth Day events people can participate in.
Illinois:
- Earth Day Parks and Preserves Cleanup – Chicago Park District
Join the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Parks on Saturday, April 23 for a citywide parks and preserves clean up. Registration is not required, and a list of sites will be posted online.
- Earth Day Celebration – Randall Oaks Zoo
Celebrate all Earth Day weekend at the zoo with educational activities, games and crafts. Special events run from Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24.
- Earth Day Summit – Forge Charitable Adventures
Join The Forge on April 23 for a day of live presentations from state and local leaders, prairie restoration and litter removal projects, workshops, animals, music and more.
Indiana:
- Northwest Indiana Earth Day 2022 – Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction
Join the celebration on Saturday, April 30, for an exhibition, vendors and a rain barrel-decorating contest for K-12 area schools.
- Earth Day Indiana Festival – Earth Day Indiana
If April’s too busy of a month for you, Earth Day Indiana has it covered by holding their festival on Saturday, June 4.
Michigan:
- Belle Isle Spring Cleanup – Belle Isle Conservancy
Pick up litter while exploring the park on Saturday, April 23, as part of the Belle Isle Conservancy’s ongoing #KeepBelleIsleBeauitful campaign.
- Earth Day 2022 Cleanup Celebration – Detroit River Coalition
Join the coalition for an Art+Earth exhibition at the Belle Isle Aquarium from April 22 to 24. You can also join one of the seven cleanups planned for Saturday, April 23 with Belle Isle Conservancy, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Outdoor Adventure Center, Friends of the Rouge, Friends of the Detroit River and Ecorse Creek Committee.
- Indigenous Earth Day Celebration – St. Ignace Public Library
On April 21, the Sault Tribe Health Education and the Advocacy Resource Center teams will come together to share Anishinaabe land teachings, share about tribal sovereignty and share the origin story of the three sisters. There will also be Indigenous-inspired Earth Day activities.
Minnesota:
- Earth Day 2022 – Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
Celebrate Earth Day on Friday, April 22 with songs, stories and collective actions of care.
New York:
- Earth Day Night Hike – Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry
Join Genesee County’s parks and rec department in a night hike through the forest on Friday, April 22. Afterwards, join them at the cleanup at the DeWitt Recreation Area on Saturday, April 23.
- Earth Day Celebration – Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Learn about pollinators, decorate a hive for rescue bees, donate to the nature book drive and more on Saturday, April 23.
Ohio:
- Earth Day Celebration – Earth Day Columbus
Leading up to the celebration filled with local music, food and drinks on Saturday, April 23, Earth Day Columbus has a range of cleanups, tree plantings, community gardening and community science opportunities running throughout the month of April.
- Earth Day 2022 – Lake Metroparks
Show up on Sunday, April 24, for an eco-fair, marketplace, free tree and more.
Ontario:
- Earth Day 2022 Cleanup Celebration – Detroit River Coalition
The coalition’s Ontario cleanup was on April 9, but join the Essex Region Conservation Authority for a tree planting on Sunday, April 24.
Pennsylvania:
- Earth Day Celebration – Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence
Join the Governor’s Residence for a virtual Earth Day event including learning activities and a virtual exhibit hall.
Wisconsin:
- Spring Cleanup – Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Head on over to one of more than 80 locations in the Milwaukee River basin on Saturday, April 23. Milwaukee Riverkeeper will provide the gloves, trash bags and free shirts to boot, attendees just need to register and show up ready to work. After the cleanup, join their Rock the Green Earth Day celebration.
- Work Play Earth Day – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The event returns after a two-year hiatus with tree planting, removing invasive plants, litter cleanup and more on Saturday, April 23. Check out the WDNR website for a full range of Earth Day events and activities.
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
Featured image: Lake Superior from Presque Isle Park in Marquette, Mich. (Photo Credit: Zosette Guir/Detroit Public Television)
