How to celebrate Earth Day in California? Everything from cleanups to festivals
Earth Day festivities are happening across the nation and throughout California with people celebrating and volunteering to show their love and support for their local community.
But how did Earth Day come to be? And what can Californians do to celebrate the state’s diverse landscapes?
Here’s what to know:
What to know about Earth Day
For more than 50 years people around the country have been celebrating Earth Day, according to National Geographic.
The holiday celebrates and honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness on the protection of Earth’s natural resources.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 with a national demonstration organized by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson. The demonstration led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and now, more than a billion people celebrate Earth day every year.
Where to celebrate Earth Day in California
Cities, towns and parks throughout the state will be hosting events to celebrate Earth Day. These events include festivals and beach cleanups, according to Visit California.
National Park Week
National Park Week celebrates California’s many natural resources from Wednesday, April 22 until Sunday, April 26.
“There’s no better way to celebrate National Park Week than spending a starry night in Death Valley, catching wildflower blooms in Joshua Tree, or seeing sequoias in Yosemite,” according to Visit California.
Unlike previous years, park admission is not waived this year.
Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival
On Saturday, April 25 head over to North Lake Tahoe for live music, a student “trashion” show, booths and a climate change exhibit. The free festival is held at The Village at Palisades Tahoe resort and is one of the largest Earth Day celebrations in the region.
Creek to Bay Cleanup
Environment lovers can enjoy a day in San Diego with clean up day on Saturday, April 25.
Creek to Bay Cleanup removes almost 60,000 pounds of litter last year across San Diego County and is one of the largest single-day environmental action events held in the city.
San Francisco Earth Day Festival
Bay Area nature lovers can enjoy San Francisco’s Earth Day Festival on Tuesday, April 21 at the Yerba Buena Gardens.
The festival will have live performances, tree planting, chalk art and carousel rides. People are encouraged to make a reservation online to hold their spots.
