12 Wild for the Planet 2024 at the L.A. Zoo GET ACTIVE ON EARTH DAY
At these events, you can learn about nature, tend plants or dance to music
Every year on Earth Day, people are asked to think about nature and our planet and what they can do to help our world. The global environmental movement arrives April 22 with many ways for people to participate, such as volunteering for an outdoor cleanup, or even going to a festival or a fancy ball and having some fun while trying to help the planet. Here are 12 things you can do to mark this very important day.
1 Catalina Island Conservancy Ball
6-11 p.m. April 20, Avalon Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon. catalinaconservancy.org.
Get dressed up, dig into those deep pockets for a good cause and attend the 28th annual ball. The blacktie event will include dinner, dancing and a live auction. Proceeds benefit island conservation, education and recreation programs. Tickets start at $500.
2 Earth Day at the Bay
10-a.m.-4 p.m. April 20, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. ocparks.com.
OC Parks is teaming with the Newport Bay Conservancy for the annual Earth Day at the Bay, which will include environmentally themed exhibits, arts and crafts, and live music throughout the day plus food trucks.
3 Earth Day Celebration
8:30-11:30 a.m. April 20, Crown Valley Park, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. cityoflagunaniguel.org.
The Niguel Botanical Preserve and the city of Laguna Niguel are looking for volunteers for the annual Earth Day Celebration to plant, weed and clean in the preserve. Volunteers can also take a little bit of nature home because plants and herbs will be available for sale in the amphitheater. All proceeds go to support the preserve.
4 Earth Day Chalk Fest
10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 20, Wilmington Waterfront Park, 301 S. Avalon Blvd., Wilmington. portoflosangeles.org.
You can come create biodegradable chalk art on the L.A. Waterfront. Chalk will be provided and there will be gardening activities as well, but you must provide the talent.
5 Earth Day Teen Climate Fest
9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 2728, Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. aquariumofpacific.org.
The fest features displays, activities and presentations with an emphasis on sustainable art created by teens. Aquarium admission is $44.95 general, $29.95 for children ages 3-11 and $41.95 for older adults.
6 Glendora Earth Day Festival
9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 20, Finkbiner Park Bandshell Area, 181 N. Cullen Ave., Glendora. cityofglendora. org.
The city’s annual celebration will include a scavenger hunt, bounce house and arts and crafts for kids plus an animal show and community bike ride.
7 Heal the Bay Aquarium
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 20, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica. healthebay. org.
The aquarium will have arts and crafts stations plus face painting for the kids and will be giving away limited-edition Earth Month pins. Then people can see a feeding demonstration and check out and learn all about the sea life on display. Admission is $12 general, free for kids under 12.
8 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
9 a.m.-noon April 20, White Point Nature Preserve, 1600 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. pvplc.org.
You can help the conservancy take care of nature by volunteering in its garden to plant native species, do some mulching or perform other essential work. The event will include guided nature walks and a raffle.
9 Riverside Insect Fair
10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 20, Riverside Main Library, 3900 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. riversideca.gov/ insectfair.
The popular insect fair is back as bugs teach kids about the planet and the importance of nature. Expect to see entomology students showing off beetles, butterflies and all sorts of other insects. Kids can also learn how to start their own bug collections.
10 Vegan Food Fair
5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Pentland Bear Cave at UCR, 900 University Ave., Riverside. sustainability. ucr.edu/earthmonth2024.
UC Riverside is holding Earth Day events all throughput April, including a celebration of plantbased cuisine at the Vegan Food Fair. Vendors will be sell everything from savory snacks to desserts.
11 Westlake Earth Day Festival
4-9 p.m. April 20, Westlake Village Community Park, 31107 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village. wlv. org/earthday
You can learn about conservation efforts from organizations like the Tree People, the California Wildlife Center and Santa Monica Mountains Fund while listening to music from a DJ and doing other activities. A 7 p.m. screening of “Finding Nemo” will take place on the baseball field.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 2021, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. lazoo.org.
Get wild for the planet alongside the wildlife at the zoo’s celebration that includes educational talks on things like native plants and pollinators, plus natural honey tastings. There will also be talks about chimpanzees and greater one-horned rhinoceroses, plus live music. Zoo admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children.