[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he sought to capture that energy and April 22, which fell between Spring Break and Final Exams, was selected as the date.
Earth Day is celebrated by more than one billion people every year, and today the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency. Many people in the Denver area celebrate Earth Day and we are pleased to include the following activities. If you have more suggestions, please include them in the comments.
Saturday, April 21
29th Mountain Area Earth Day Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Growing since 1990 and now one of the most popular Earth Day celebrations in Colorado, the Fair regularly features over 30 federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Kids’ activities and hands-on demonstrations are available throughout the venue. HawkQuest, will again be available to amaze everyone with its live raptors.
Alfalfa’s: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Boulder & Louisville (click link for locations), Many Attractions including FREE goat yoga, giveaways, educational attractions, live music, and much more!
Barr Lake State Park: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 30th Anniversary Party Saturday, April 21st from 8am – 1pm. Festivities include guided bird walks, bird banding demonstrations, live bird presentations, educational activities for kids and adults, lunch, and birthday cake, plus a kite festival hosted by the Friends of Barr Lake. Admission is $5 per vehicle and includes park entrance fee, lunch and kites.
Centennial Earth Day: The Birds in Our Backyard: 10 a.m. to noon. This event will focus on appreciating the birds of Centennial with a variety of free bird-related activities for the entire family. Meet falcons, hawks, owls, and eagles in person; make upcycled birdhouses, and learn about the birds in Centennial and how to spot them. In addition, get your face painted, check out Arapahoe Libraries’ Book Mobile and South Suburban Parks and Recreation District’s Fun Bus, enjoy music from our DJ and more! In conjunction with this event, electronic recycling services will be offered for Centennial residents from 8 a.m. to noon at the Centennial Civic Center, 13133 E. Arapahoe Rd.
Colorado Earth Day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the State Capitol, Colorado Earth Day will feature live music by The Broadcast, a soulful Americana rock group from Asheville, North Carolina, a beer garden, guest speakers, vendors and local merchandise, as well as thousands of motivated individuals looking to make a difference for the Earth!
Earth Day E-Cycling Event: 7 a.m. to noon. 9NEWS and Techno+Rescue invite you to join them for the biggest recycling event of the year! Recycle and help celebrate Earth Day at the Arapahoe Park Horse Track (26000 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016). Recycling is FREE except for CRT TVs & Monitors. 22″ & under $20 ea., 24″ & over $40 ea., Console TVs, Projection & DLP TVs (big & heavy) $70 ea.
Lakewood Earth Day Celebration: FREE community event celebrating sustainability in Lakewood. Recycle your old or broken electronics on April 21, 2018 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 777 S. Yarrow St. After you recycle, head next door to the Earth Day Celebration! Each year, Bear Creek Lake Park hosts a volunteer project to honor Earth Day. Volunteers of all ages work on various projects throughout the park.
National Parks Free Entrance Day, all day. National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time. This is part of National Park Week and it’s also National Junior Ranger Day!
Westminster Earth Day Celebration: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Win prizes, see live animals, have lunch, do some yoga, and learn about earth-friendly opportunities in your neighborhood. Ask the experts to learn about tree programs and plant selection. Free compost and mulch is available.
Sunday, April 22
The Wild Animal Sanctuary, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wild Earth Day is designed not only to help “Mother Earth”, but also the animals and humans that inhabit this wonderful planet! A donation of natural plants aren’t mandatory but are greatly appreciated and each person who brings a plantable tree or bush will be granted free admission to the Sanctuary walkway. This is a general celebration with arts and crafts, and vendors will add lots of fun to the mix, so plan to celebrate your “Wild Earth Day” with The Wild Animal Sanctuary and more than 450 of the wildest friends you could ever have! 2999 County Road 53, Keenesburg.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
