Earth Day (April 22nd) falls on a Monday this year; it’s the 54th celebration of the holiday. The theme for 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics, signifying EarthDay.org‘s demand for a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040.
Our theme, Planet vs. Plastics, calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion.
Here’s a list of ways to commemorate Earth Day 2024 in the area. Nearly all of them are free, keeping in mind that admission fees are now in effect for state parks.
Clean Up Fort Delaware
Friday, April 19th at 10am: Help the Fort get ready for its first public day (Saturday, April 27th). Get a behind-the-scenes look at Fort Delaware, and get a free American Battlefield Trust water bottle. Another cleanup opportunity takes place on Tuesday, April 23rd. Ages 14 and up, get more details here.
Earth Day Read-Aloud at the Brandywine Museum of Art
Listen to an adapted version of A Secret Garden, find nature-themed art in the galleries, go outside to explore native trees and plants and make a fun craft to take home. Free for members; $6 per person for non-members, pre-registration requested.
Celebrate Earth Day at UD
Friday, April 19th from 11am to 2pm: Check out music, a raffle, UDairy ice cream, a clothing swap, and more on the North Green (rain location at the Trabant) or take a tour of climate and sustainability projects on campus.
#EarthDayWilmDE at Cool Spring Reservoir
Friday, April 19th from 11am to 2pm: sponsored by the Department of Public Works, this free event will feature music by DJ Tim Dogg, an Earth & Arbor Day original rap song performed by Cultural Restoration Project, Inc., and 4th grade students from Kuumba Academy Charter School, and more than two dozen partners and vendors.
Coastal Delaware Community Clean Up
Saturday, April 20th from 8am to noon: Groups and individuals are invited to adopt and clean a section of roadway in coastal Sussex County. Instructions and supplies are provided. Register to volunteer before Friday, April 19th.
Fenwick Island Bay to Beach Clean Up
Saturday, April 20th from 8:30 to 10am: Residents and friends of Fenwick are encouraged to gather at Town Hall for refreshments, educational materials, an appreciation gift and cleanup materials.
PALW Community Clean-Up Day
Saturday, April 20th from 9am to noon: Join the Police Athletic League of Wilmington for a community cleanup.
Bag Oyster Shells in Wilmington into Living Shoreline Installations
Saturday, April 20th from 9:30am to 1pm: Recycle oyster shells collected by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary from Wilmington area restaurants into Delaware Bay shoreline habitats for juvenile oysters. Ages 15 and up, more details here.
Earth Day Green Space Crawl and Mixer (multiple sites)
Saturday, Apr 20th from 10am to 7pm: hosted by the Sierra Club Delaware Chapter, Delaware Nature Society, and Delaware Interfaith Power & Light to highlight green spaces around Wilmington while also encouraging folks in their 20s and 30s to get involved. Limited transportation provided between sites on a first come first serve basis, light refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Pre-register here.
Wetland Walk at Port Penn
Saturday, April 20th at 10am: Enjoy the wetland trail, hear about the wetland and its importance to Port Penn, keep an eye out for the incredible wildlife that makes Delaware so special, and learn ways that you can help the wetlands. Participants encouraged to register in advance.
How Healthy Are Our Waterways?
Saturday, April 20th, 10am at White Clay Creek: Explore how the health of waterways are monitored and discover some living indicators of water quality in the White Clay Creek. Be prepared to get your feet wet. Free, pre-registration required.
Saturday, April 20th, 10am on the Brandywine River: Join park naturalists to learn how to measure the health of the river with hands on activities. Free, no registration required. Park in the Jasper Crane Rose Garden Parking lot.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle the Colonial Way at First State Heritage
Saturday, April 20th, 10-3: Stop by the John Bell House any time between 10am and 3pm to learn how the people of the 18th century reduced, reused, and recycled. Free, no registration required.
Party for the Planet at the Brandywine Zoo
Saturday, April 20th, 10-4: Earth Day themed activities, keeper talks, and more. Party for the Planet is included with regular zoo admission price.
Trap Pond Partners Nature Festival
Saturday, April 20th, 10am-3pm: Local environmental organizations, crafters, and food vendors surround the Nature Center.
Tales and Trails at Killens Pond Nature Center
Saturday, April 20th at 11am: Learn how trees help us and how we can help them. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. For ages 3-6; pre-registration required and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. $5 per child.
Wildlife Wonders at Lums Pond
Saturday, April 20th at 11am: See the nature center animals up close while learning the impacts of pollution on wildlife found in the park. Pre-registration required.
Earth Day Stream Study at Brandywine Creek State Park
Saturday, April 20th from 12-2pm: Go netting for creatures and test the water quality of Wilson’s Run by the park entrance. Free, pre-registration required.
Outdoor Photography Basics at Killens Pond
Saturday, April 20th at 1pm: While not strictly speaking an Earth Day program, it’s a great way to ensure observing Earth Day throughout the year. Hear how to create a good photograph from exposure, perspective, and composition. Registrants are encouraged to submit their photos to the annual Trap Pond Partners Photography contest. Free, pre-register at least 48 hours in advance.
Cool Off in the Creek at Auburn Valley
Saturday, April 20th at 1pm: Wade into the Red Clay Creek using dip nets and buckets to find and identify various forms of life which find their home there; explore how macroinvertebrates are a water quality indicator and how plastics can destroy them. Recommended for adults, expect to get wet. Free, but space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Dunes or Defense: Earth Day Hike at Fort Miles
Saturday, April 20th at 2:30pm: Take a guided hike (recommended for ages 7 and up with an adult) to the top of the Great Dune to learn how it contributed to coastal defense and how students defended the dune on the first Earth Day in 1970.
Earth Day Dune Hike at Cape Henlopen
Saturday, April 20th at 2:30pm: Celebrate Earth Day with a guided hike exploring the coast’s most valuable habitat and why they are worth protecting. For ages 5 and older with an adult.
Delaware’s Dunes at Delaware Seashore State Park
Saturday, April 20th at 2:30pm: Meet at the Indian River Life-Saving Station to learn about how dunes form, and why they’re the best first line of defense against natural disaster.
Zoo to Scout Clean Up at Brandywine Zoo
Sunday, April 21st and Monday, April 22nd 10am-noon: Fill a bag with trash and exchange it for a cookie or coffee at the Scout Cafe.
Trash or Treasure at Killens Pond
Sunday, April 21st at 1pm: Learn from naturalists all about recycling, why it matters, and how you can help the Earth. Pre-registration required.
Go Green Team Gardening Event at Auburn Valley
Monday, April 22nd from 10am to 2pm: Help rejuvenate flower beds for spring. Bring any small gardening tools if you have access to them; gloves are provided. Ages 15 and up, register by April 21st.
Clean Up Killens Pond
Monday, April 22nd from 10am to noon: Family friendly volunteer cleanup of Killens Pond State Park. Register by April 21st.
Earth Day Birthday at Fox Point
Monday, April 22nd at 4:30pm: On this day nearly 30 years ago Fox Point was opened as a Delaware State Park. Explore the history and nature of Fox Point State Park and learn about how it came to be. Pre-registration recommended.
Earth Day Events in Philadelphia
Headed to Philly this weekend? Here are some more events for the family there.
Confluence: Earthly Films for Philadelphia (multiple events and sites)
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University presents an environmentally focused film festival in partnership with Philadelphia-area film organizations, including the BlackStar Projects, Bryn Mawr Film Institute, cinéSPEAK, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, and the Philadelphia Latino Arts and Film Festival. The weekend-long festival showcases films by local, national, and international filmmakers whose work raises awareness of water-related environmental justice and climate change issues across the globe. Each program will feature a panel discussion. Get details and register here.
Naturepalooza at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Saturday, April 20th, 10am to 2pm: Guided hikes, tree plantings, music, crafts, face painting, a pop-up plant sale, and other activities from staff and community organizations like Philadelphia Mycology Club and Black Girls with Green Thumbs. Visitors who bring a baby shower gift of paper towels, cotton balls, or cash for the many animal babies the Center’s Wildlife Clinic is caring for this spring will get a sweet treat donated by 1984 Cakes (while they last). More info here.
Live More Marketplace and Fair at LOVE Park
Saturday, April 20th and Sunday, April 21st from noon-5pm: Shop small and support local vendors, artists, makers, musicians and food trucks. Free but pre-registration is encouraged.
Earth Day Weekend in Philly’s Franklin Square
Saturday, April 20th, 12 to 2 pm: Free children’s activities including learning about birds and making a bird craft with the Bird Nerd of the Wissahickon, free games, giant bubbles, music, fitness fun, and play party for children with Go with YoYo.
Sunday, April 21, 1 to 4 pm: Join the Climate Action Campaign and partners for a Climate Solutions Now Earth Day Block Party to celebrate the great strides that have been made to combat climate change and the need for climate solutions now. This free event features performances by local Philadelphia artists including Speedy Ortiz, a speaking program, activities for kids and families, free food, and much more. Registration required.
