Earth Day is April 22, and Chicago is offering several ways to go green and help the planet. See below for park clean-up locations, learning opportunities, and celebrations of the beautiful greenery in the city.
CHICAGO PARKS DISTRICT PARKS CLEANUP
In partnership with Friends of the Parks, the Chicago Parks District hosts a city-wide Earth Day Parks Clean Up on Saturday, April 20. Thousands of volunteers will take to Chicago’s parks for mulching and collecting litter, starting the spring season with clean and fresh parks.
GARFIELD CONSERVATORY
Join an array of Earth Day activities at the Garfield Conservatory. Watch a performance by Kaben Kafo, play Earth Day Bingo, do the photo booth, see a Propagation Demo with Shayna and Urban roots Interns, join a Tree walk, and participate in Budding Botanist activities hosted by Nature education teachers.
EVANSTON ART CENTER EARTH DAY FAMILY ARTS & CRAFTS
The Evanston Art Center’s Teen Board presents family arts and crafts on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents and kids can celebrate Earth Day with a collage made from recycled materials. This event is free and open to the public.
Evanston Art Center will also have an ECO Art Sale throughout the weekend. Shop gently used art supplies like rulers and ceramic tools to support sustainability.
POETRY, ECOLOGY, AND RESTORATION AT GWENDOLYN BROOKS PARK
On Saturday, April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., celebrate Earth Day through creativity, learning, and productivity. At this event, join for poetry readings, ecology workshops, and restoration projects at Gwendolyn Brooks Park. This free event is welcome to all.
ANCIENT EARTH DAY AT THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF ANCIENT CULTURES MUSEUM
Join for a day of educational fun at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum! On Saturday, April 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., listen to three free,TED-talk style presentations covering the environment, climate, and archaeology. Engage with gallery discovery carts about sustainability and recycling in the ancient world, make Earth Day crafts, take home a plant in a recycled container, and enjoy games and puzzles throughout the day.
BROOKFIELD ZOO PARTY FOR THE PLANET
On April 20, come to Brookfield Zoo for a recycling event, Party for the Planet. From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., bring unwanted items to recycle like electronics, textiles, and used books. There is no charge for drop-offs, but tickets or membership is required to visit the zoo.
BROOKFIELD ZOO EARTH DAY RUN
Get outside and enjoy nature by doing a 2.2 mile fun run at Brookfield Zoo! Before the park opens, enjoy a leisurely run through the park and visit the animals on Sunday, April 21 at 8:00 a.m. Finishers will receive a medal and seeds to spread for Earth Day!
EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES AT TRAILSIDE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Join free activities at the Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest. Come plant a tree, make your own bird feeder, and pick up litter from 10:00 a.m. to 112:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.
CHICAGO BOTANICAL GARDEN
Every day is Earth Day at the Chicago Botanical Garden! Check out their website to learn more about conservation and sustainability from online articles, donate to support the Garden’s conservation mission, or check out ways to enjoy nature. Visit the Botanical Garden to go for a walk, bring kids to the Nature Play Garden, and explore the new blooms.
MAKE ‘N’ TAKE + CREATIVITY BUS KICK-OFF
The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange is celebrating Earth Day by kicking off The Creativity Bus and offering fun activities for all ages. Enjoy community yoga, make a bar of healing soap, make a Shrink-Dink globe keychain, and join a community drum circle. Throughout the day, enjoy creative reuse with Envision Unlimited and join Garden tours.
