The planet needs more than just your green thumb these days. It could use your whole green body. Plus, it would probably like to hold your car keys for a while.
Re-connect with the spirit and skill of taking care of the planet by joining one or more of these great Earth Day Events. Check back often as new events will be added.
Related: Guide to Green Living | Chicago Calendar of Annual Events - April
1. Museum of Contemporary Art - Spring Greening Family Day - Saturday, April 11
Bring the kids for reducing, renewing, recycling, and reusing all resulting in family art projects and a cool day together at the MCA.
2. Grant Park Earth Day Festival - Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19
Grant Park is the site of this weekend-long working celebration of green in Grant Park. Help get the 25-acre park in great shape by volunteering your time and skills. The volunteer event runs from 9 a.m. to noon on both days. Meet at the southeast corner of Balbo and Columbus (Hutchinson Field).3. Friends of the Parks - Earth Day Celebration - Saturday, April 18
Courtesy Friends of the Parks
Be a friend and join the 20th annual clean up at your local Chicago park or preserve on this Saturday work day. Events will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Click through to identify a location near you or contact Friends of the Parks at sullivanme@fotp.org and volunteer to lead a clean-up at your favorite park.
4. Chicago Park District - Earth Day - Saturday, April 18 to Saturday, April 25
Pitch in and help clean up the parks, celebrate environmentalism, and more. Free. Click through to identify a park near you that's hosting an event.5. Skokie Lagoons Clean Up - Chicago Kayak Club - Sunday, April 19
All are welcome at this clean-up. BYOKayak or get a chance to ride in one of the club's on a first-come first-serve basis. 9 a.m to noon at the Skokie Lagoons.6. Department of the Environment - Earth Day Celebration - Wednesday, April 22
The city will replace their Daley Plaza Earth Day event with an event in three locations that asks Chicagoans to take an online pledge to be green. Look for the computer displays at City Hall, Harold Washington Library, and the Merchandise Mart between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.7. Lincoln Park Zoo's 5th Annual Science Celebration - Wednesday, April 22
Students share their research at this Earth Day celebration that runs from 10 a.m. to noon.8. Nature Conservancy Walk in Lurie Gardens - Wednesday, April 22
I like this event on the Earth Day calendar because you can fit it in before work. The walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts an hour.9. Morton Arboretum - Earth Day Green Tea - Wednesday, April 22
Our local tree museum is worth a visit any day of the year, but on Earth Day they've thrown in a tea party. The program explores global and local teas and is aiming to help consumers understand green choices in teas. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. $5010. Second Annual North Lake Shore Earth Day - Saturday, April 25
Courtesy North Lake Shore Earth Day
This festival is hosted by Loyola University and invites neighbors and friends from Andersonville, Edgewater, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Uptown, and West Ridge to join in the day-long celebration.
