CLEVELAND — Earth Day is on Monday, April 22, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the environment in Northeast Ohio.
First held in 1970, Earth Day is an annual celebration of the environment and a demonstration of support for environmental protections. The day is observed with events coordinated in more than 190 countries. This year's global theme is "Planet vs. Plastics."
So how is Northeast Ohio celebrating Earth Day 2024? Explore the story below to see events happening throughout the area...
Monday, April 22
Clean Earth, Happy Mind park clean-up
- Roscoe Ewing Park, 400 Guilford Blvd, Medina; 4:30-8 p.m.
- Organized by seniors from Medina High School as part of their senior capstone project.
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Earth Day 2024
- Lorain County Community College, College Center Main Street, 1005 Abbe Road North, Elyria; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- NOACA says: "The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is celebrating Earth Day 2024 by participating in the following community event and featuring its Gohio Commute program. Gohio Commute is the premier ride planning, matching, and logging tool available for free to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, or Medina counties. This interactive platform gives the information needed to make smart travel choices – to save money, improve health, and improve air quality. Users can also connect with nearby commuters to share the ride and plan their trips."
Ohio City Incorporated Community Tree Planting
Lakeview Estates, 1246 River Road, Cleveland; 12-3 p.m.
- Ohio City Incorporated says: "We'll be planting 30 trees - so dress accordingly! Entertainment and food and drink will also be provided."
- Click here to reserve a spot.
Earth Day Bird Feeder Craft
- Cleveland Public Library Mount Pleasant Branch Meeting Room; 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Geared toward children and teens.
- CPL says: "Let's honor Earth Day by making a bird feeder by upcycling recyclable canisters."
Celebrate Earth Day!
- Cleveland Public Library Harvard-Lee Branch Meeting Room; 3-4 p.m.
- Geared toward children and teens.
- CPL says: "Come celebrate Earth Day and make an environmentally friendly craft made from recyclable materials."
Earth Day Rock Painting
- Cleveland Public Library Eastman Branch, Community Space 1 (113); 4-5 p.m.
- Geared toward adults.
- CPL says: "This Earth Day join us at Eastman Branch to use some of Mother Earth's rocks to create art and brighten other people's days. A recent hobby has really taken hold and we at the library want to help you explore your artistic which in turn will help lessen stress and as an added bonus you can bring joy to others. We will provide you with the rocks, examples, soothing music and paint pens, you provide the creativity. You can leave your stress behind and take with you some of your artistically painted rocks to either keep or to leave for others to find."
Earth Day Seed Bombs
- Cleveland Public Library Brooklyn Branch, Community Space 1
- Geared toward all ages.
- CPL says: "Celebrate Earth Day and make wildflower seed bombs to pot, plant or just toss in your yard!"
Earth Day Hike
- Rocky River Reservation, Lagoon Picnic Area; 4-5 p.m.
- Cleveland Metroparks says: "Celebrate Earth Day by enjoying the sights and sounds of Spring on a slow hike with a naturalist. Along the way we will talk about ways we can help the environment in our day-to-day lives."
- Click here for more details.
Wednesday, April 24
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Earth Day 2024
- Cleveland State University Student Center, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The celebrations started early this year, with events being held throughout the weekend and all of Earth Day week. Here's a look at some of those events...
Saturday, April 20
The Big Clean - Euclid vs. Collinwood
- Starts at 9 a.m.
- The City of Euclid says: "The 'Big Clean' is our annual day to pick up trash as a community – and compete with our neighbors in Collinwood – to see which community can pick up more trash."
- Click here for details.
Medina County Earth Day Festival
- Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Rd, Seville; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Free event with activities, educational exhibitors, market vendors, family fishing derby, Bookmobile and more.
- Click here for more details.
Earth Day Upcycling Fair
- Brecksville Reservation; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cleveland Metroparks says: "Free children’s upcycling crafts, professional artisans, and new information in how we can keep our earth healthy and viable for generations to come is awaiting you. Join us at both the Trailside Program Center and Brecksville Nature Center."
- Click here for more details.
Sunday, April 21
Earth Day 5K presented by Cross Country Mortgage
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; 8 a.m.
- The first race of the Cleveland Metroparks Race Series kicks off with the Earth Day 5K at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 21. Participants will receive entry into the zoo, refreshments, a custom race shirt and medal.
- Pre-register HERE.
Earth Day Eco-fair and Marketplace
- Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland; 12-4 p.m.
- Free event including eco-fair with local conservation organizations, Earth Day Marketplace with local, fair-trade goods, free tree for each family, games, crafts, miniature train rides and more.
- Click here for more information from Lake Metroparks.
Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers/University Hospitals Geauga Park Clean-up
- Starts at 602 South St., c4, Chardon; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Earth Day celebration featuring a park clean-up to combat tobacco waste.
Earth Day Wildflower Walk
- Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg; 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Summit Metroparks says: "Join a naturalist as we hike Ledges Trail in celebration of Earth Day! Along the way, we’ll discover the fascinating world of colorful, delicate spring wildflowers and the animals that depend on them."
Upcycling for the Earth
- Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron; 12:30-2 p.m.
- Summit Metroparks says: "Drop in to try your hand at turning one person’s trash into your treasure! In celebration of Earth Day, learn how upcycling can be a fun way to make something cool and help protect the earth."
Earth Day for Kids
- F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Seneca Deck, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron; 1-3 p.m.
- Summit Metroparks says: "Earth is such a special place! Come learn why the planet we call home is so unique and how you can help make a difference. There will be educational activities, arts and crafts, and more."
Want your event added to the list? Email us at WKYC-Webteam@wkyc.com