Just as the weather starts getting nicer, Earth Day rolls around to remind us to do our part in keeping our planet healthy and sustainable. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 of each year, is a special time to show appreciation for our Earth and its resources and to recognize the real risks to our environment and what we can do to keep our planet safe and fruitful for centuries to come. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day.

Teaching our children responsibility for our environment is only part of the puzzle. We must also practice greener behaviors ourselves, not just on Earth Day, not just during the month of April, but all throughout the year. Participating in fun and informative Earth Day events and activities with your family is a great way to kick start better actions around a cleaner, greener environment. Here are some upcoming Earth Day events and activities to enjoy in and around the Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh Valley Earth Day Events & Activities

The weekends surrounding Earth Day and Earth Day itself (falling on a Wednesday this year) give families and friends the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and the environment around us. Put these dates and activities on your calendar now!

Saturday, April 18
Build It Series – Build a Raised Bed
Nurture Nature Center
518 Northampton St., Easton
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Planting is a perfect Earth Day activity the whole family can enjoy. Not everyone has enough garden space for a full spread, but a raised bed can provide a nice spot for a few homegrown vegetables this year. You could also plant a bed of flowers to enjoy from spring through first frost in the fall. In this free program, the Nurture Nature Center in Easton will show guests how to build, fill, and plant a raised garden bed in the Urban Recycle Garden. Those in attendance will also receive a coupon for materials to make their own raised garden beds at home. Pre-registration is required and those interested in attending should contact Brooke Kohler at 610.253.4432 or [email protected].

The Nurture Nature Center offers other diverse Earth and science related exhibits, like its dynamic Science on a Sphere® display, a six-foot suspended globe that shows off more than 250 views of earth and space. NNC is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, check out nurturenaturecenter.org.

Saturday, April 18
(Rain Date April 19)
Jim Thorpe Earth Day Celebration
Downtown Jim Thorpe
(Josiah White Park (train station), Mauch Chunk Opera House, Dimmick Memorial Library, and Race Street Park)
9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Kick things off with a fun Earth Day festival that commences with a cleanup of the Lehigh River and runs a full schedule of live bands, raffles, a rock climb, book readings, crafts, activities, and visits from Smokey the Bear and Woodsy Owl. This Earth Day festival has something for everyone to enjoy, all for a great cause of raising awareness for our environment. For more information, check out jimthorpeearthday.com.

Saturday, April 18
Earth Day Festival
Wildlands Conservancy
3701 Orchid Pl., Emmaus
12 noon – 4 p.m.

The Wildlands Conservancy, Lehigh Valley’s nonprofit land trust since 1973, is hosting an annual festival to celebrate Earth Day at Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus. The day’s events will include geocaching, bird banding, and recycled art projects, along with informative talks and presentations. Guests can learn about beekeeping, bats, water quality, and more. The Muhlenberg Roaming Improv Dance Troupe will provide live entertainment, along with playful antics from the Conservancy’s live education animals. The Earth Day Festival is free to the public. A rain barrel building workshop is also available for a nominal fee; registration required. For more information, please visit wildlandspa.org.

Wednesday, April 22
Exhibit: “Energy Past & Present: Creating, Consuming & Conserving”
Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum
432 W. Walnut St., Allentown
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The museum offers hands-on activities for visitors to discover energy’s role in their lives, with special tips on how to minimize energy consumption in the home. Members of the museum can attend for free while the cost for non-members is $8 for adults, $3 for children, and kids under age 5 are free. This programming is sponsored in part by PPL. For more information on this event, check out lchs.museum/Events.htm.

Saturday, April 25
Party for the Planet
Lehigh Valley Zoo
5150 Game Preserve Rd. Schnecksville

Bring the whole family for a fun celebration in honor of Earth Day, Arbor Day, World Penguin Day, Save the Frogs Day, and the Zoo Mascot Tuxster’s birthday. The day’s events will include music, Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Center Conservations, an Arbor Day tree planting dedication, and Smart Fun with the penguin mascot Tuxster. For more information, check out lvzoo.org.

Sunday, April 12
Northside Cleanup
Bethlehem Historic District Cleanup and Celebration
Meet at the corner of Main and Broad Sts.
8 – 11 a.m.

In honor of Earth Day, members of the community, church groups, and volunteers have the opportunity to help clean up the Historic Downtown District in the City of Bethlehem. Adults and supervised children can help to pick up litter, tidy up planters, and plant new flowers for the spring season. Participants can also plant flowers, partake in a plant swap, enjoy refreshments, and more. Contact Emily at [email protected] or call at 610.739.1273 to get involved. For more information, check out downtownbethlehemassociation.com.

Families can find other fun ways to mark the 45th celebration of Earth Day, even in their own backyards and surrounding neighborhoods. Plant, clean up, or put together a project that focuses on recycling and promoting a greener, healthier planet. Visit local parks and recreational areas for other opportunities to do your part.