By Angela Fairhurst
Each year, April 22 commemorates Earth Day, signifying the modern environmental movement. Each year, events are held at tens of thousands of locations, including schools, universities, and community sites across the United States, where an estimated 20 million people gather to demonstrate and advocate for environmental protection.
Here are some events on and around Earth Day in Arizona:
Central Arizona
April 20
Earth Day Clean Up – Phoenix
Celebrate Earth Day 2024 by participating in a group trash pick-up day with multiple meetups. Change starts with action, especially one that affects the world around you. This Earth Day, you can make a difference. Bring gloves, trash bags, water and snacks, a hat, and sunblock and wear proper clothing and shoes for picking up trash.
From 9 a.m. – noon at Encanto Park 2605 N. 15th Avenue in Phoenix.
https://www.meetup.com/beyourabsolutebest/events/297588414/
April 20
Drive Electric Earth Month Phoenix Ride and Drive
Head out to the North Phoenix Baptist Church on Saturday, April 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m to explore the world of electric vehicles. Sit, ride in, and even drive an electric vehicle to learn about the benefits for owners and our planet. 5757 North Central Avenue in Phoenix.
April 20
Celebrate Earth Day! Free Compost Workshop – Tempe
Learn about the wonderful world of composting and get your hands dirty in the garden at a free compost workshop at the Escalante Community Garden, where experts will guide you through the art of composting. Learn how to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Bring gardening gloves and put your new knowledge to work by maintaining and improving the community garden’s compost pile. Attendees will have a chance to win a special raffle prize at the end of the session. This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts, make a positive impact on our community, and go home with some new skills. Escalante Community Garden, 2150 E. Orange Street in Tempe.
April 22
Save the Date: Earth Day Cleanup by Natural Restorations – Gilbert
Natural Restorations’ mission is to remove trash and graffiti from outdoor recreation and wilderness areas, revitalize natural areas through replanting projects, and enrich the lives of military veterans and other community members. The organization accomplishes its mission by hosting volunteer cleanup events throughout the year for community members, including youth volunteers, and it manages and supports a Dedicated Restoration Team with contracted military veterans who conduct restorations beyond the reach of most volunteers. 9 a.m. – noon.
https://www.naturalrestorations.org/restorations
April 22
Earth Day Ice Cream Social at Jeni’s Old Town – Scottsdale
On Earth Day, April 22, 25% of sales will support Let’s Go Compost! Let’s Go Compost is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making composting free and accessible throughout the United States. The mission is to revolutionize waste management, reduce landfill waste, and combat harmful greenhouse gas emissions. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., 7051 East 5th Avenue in Scottsdale. Free to attend.
Northern Arizona
April 22
Sustainability Earth Day Celebration – Prescott
Join in on the celebration of Earth Day on April 22 with an event that includes upcycling, recycling, crafts, music, and fun in the Prescott Valley Town Center. Make environmentally friendly crafts. Bring the kids and pick out a plant to take home! Bring any gently used women’s clothing to donate to women in need. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
https://www.signalsaz.com/events/events/sustainability-earth-day-celebration/
April 22
Flagstaff Earth Day Celebration – Flagstaff
The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office invites all members of the community to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. The goal is to provide an opportunity for local organizations to show community members ways they can get involved with protecting, conserving, and learning about our shared home. This event is held in a public space where dozens of community organizations, bands, local food vendors, and local presenters come together to have fun in the sun!
https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1439/Earth-Day
April 22
Make a Native Seed Ball – Cottonwood
The Quail Amphitheater invites guests at 2 p.m. to create a seed ball with native wildflowers. At home, plant the seed ball and nature will decide when it’s best for the ball to disintegrate and the seeds to germinate and grow. Help our pollinators and local ecosystem by planting these native plants. No additional cost to participate; park entry fee still applies.
https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/events/family-nature-festival
April 22
Earth Day Celebration at Red Rock State Park – Sedona
Amid Sedona’s famed Red Rock escarpments, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., enjoy the live reptile and raptor presentations, as well as plenty of other games, booths, nature hikes, and outdoor beauty! Free door prize bags for the first 50 visitors. Couples, families, and other groups are limited to one bag.
https://azstateparks.com/red-rock/events/sedona-arizona-earth-day-celebration
Southern Arizona
April 20
Community Sings: Songs for Earth Day – Tucson
A FREE Community Event that’s all about our Planet Earth! Our planet is always here for us, so let’s be here for our planet. Discover all the ways to help make your world healthier and greener. A Community Sing gives anyone who likes to sing, or would like to, an opportunity to do that in a group setting without the pressure of having to stand out. Attendance costs nothing, and people of all ages are welcome. The event is designed to provide an opportunity to raise one’s voice with others whom you may not yet know in an informal, friendly, forgiving environment. In the process, the participants build “community” as more than an aspirational reality. Presented by Innovations in Healthy Aging at UArizona. Little Chapel of All Nations, 1052 North Highland Avenue in Tucson.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-sing-songs-for-earth-day-tickets-828884715497?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
April 20
TMC Earth Day 5k Run/Walk at the Biosphere 2 – Oracle
Looking for a fun way to explore the most popular tourist destinations in Arizona? Join the Run Tucson on April 20 for a 5k run and walk entirely on the grounds of the world-famous Biosphere 2, nestled in the western foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Run the desert, visit a rainforest, view an ocean reef, and wander through savanna grasslands, all in one day! An easy 30-minute drive from downtown Tucson, the rolling 3.1 mile course offers gorgeous desert and mountain views, with start and finish on the Biosphere 2 lawn. The event features live music and food trucks followed by an informative tour of the renowned research facility. The tour includes visits to wetlands, rainforests, grasslands, the fog desert, and the ocean biome, providing a unique opportunity to explore these natural habitats. The event supports Biosphere 2 Ocean Research
https://runsignup.com/Race/AZ/Oracle/Biosphere2EarthRun5k
April 24
Mother Earth Paint Night at Roadhouse Cinemas Tucson
It’s time for a memorable, fun-filled paint night at Roadhouse Cinemas Tucson! Your instructor will guide you throughout the entire three hours to help you recreate this Earth Week ‘Mother Earth’ painting. No experience is necessary and all art supplies are provided, including a 16×20” canvas which is yours to take home following the beginner-friendly painting class. Roadhouse Cinemas offers happy hour discounts from 3 p.m. to close on paint nights. Kids ages 10+ and non-alcohol drinkers welcome!
