This year’s theme is “Invest in our Planet”
With the greatest number of parks in all the five boroughs, there are plenty of ways for Bronxites to “Invest in Our Planet”, as this year’s Earth Day theme calls for us to do.
Starting with Arbor Day in Nebraska City, back in 1872 to bring awareness to the ecological importance of planting trees it began to spread. Conservationist Theodore Roosevelt made it a proclamation but it was in 1970 when Richard Nixon made it an official national holiday. Every year, since 1970, billions of people celebrate Earth Day on April 22. On this day we raise awareness of environmental issues such as deforestation and pollution, as well as we take action steps to protect the planet.
In celebration of Earth Day April 22 and Arbor Day on April 29, let’s take an active role on investing on our environment by keeping The Bronx green!
Here you will find a list of some of the many Earth Day events and activities happening in The Bronx and throughout the five boroughs.
From the NYC Parks Department here are some Earth Day and Arbor Day events in The Bronx
Friday, April 22, 2022
Kids Week: Earth Day Recycling Re-creations
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx This is an Accessible location
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day today by gathering your recyclables and creating art with the Urban Park Rangers!
Free!
Spring Foraging | GreenThumb GrowTogether
at Concrete Plant Park, Bronx
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
In this workshop, participants will learn how to identify, harvest, and use the wild medicinal and edible plants that surround our gardens and community.
Free!
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Earth Day Volunteer Event: 261st Street Garden
at 261st Street and Broadway (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx This is an Accessible location
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and the Riverdale Main Streets Alliance as we maintain the garden and field at 261st and Broadway.
Free!
Family Art Project: Gratitude Garden for Earth Day
at Wave Hill House (in Wave Hill), Bronx This is an Accessible location
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Reflect on what you appreciate about Earth by making a mini sculpture using bright oil clay colors.
Urban Berry Management | GreenThumb GrowTogether
at Rivers Run Community Garden, Bronx
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of urban growing considerations for berries in NYC. The second half of the presentation will focus on growing strawberries in an urban setting.
Free!
Bronx River House Open House
at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join the Bronx River Alliance as we officially open the Bronx River House in Starlight Park for a celebration of Earth Week, National Volunteer Week, community.
Free!
Earth Day at Rivers Run Community Garden | NYBG
at Rivers Run Community Garden, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join in on the festivities with a tour of Rivers Run Community Garden, learn more about composting, and join a compost workshop and workday!
Free!
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Family Art Project: Gratitude Garden for Earth Day
at Wave Hill House (in Wave Hill), Bronx This is an Accessible location
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Reflect on what you appreciate about Earth by making a mini sculpture using bright oil clay colors.
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Arbor Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx This is an Accessible location
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the trees in our gardens and neighborhoods with walks, art-making, kid-friendly activities and more!
Spring Walk Series: Small Trees for Small Spaces
at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Do you garden on a patio or terrace or in a postage-stamp-sized yard? Join Senior Horticultural Interpreter Jess Brey as she shares some of the trees and shrubs at Wave Hill that are small enough to fit in a small urban garden.
Free!
Friday, April 29, 2022
Arbor Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx This is an Accessible location
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the trees in our gardens and neighborhoods with walks, art-making, kid-friendly activities and more!
Walks with the Gardeners: Great Trees Arbor Day Walk
at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
In honor of Arbor Day, join Director of Horticulture Cathy Deutsch as she highlights some of Wave Hill’s largest and most unusual trees.
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Arbor Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx This is an Accessible location
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the trees in our gardens and neighborhoods with walks, art-making, kid-friendly activities and more!
Spring Walk Series: Small Trees for Small Spaces
at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Do you garden on a patio or terrace or in a postage-stamp-sized yard? Join Senior Horticultural Interpreter Jess Brey as she shares some of the trees and shrubs at Wave Hill that are small enough to fit in a small urban garden.
Free!
Junior Arborist Station
at Wave Hill, Bronx This is an Accessible location
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Kids are invited to don tree-climbing harnesses and hardhats and ascend into the canopy of one of our big old trees to get a bird’s-eye view of Wave Hill.
City Nature Challenge: Arbor Day Tree ID
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx This is an Accessible location
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1.
Free!
Family Tree Walk
at Wave Hill House (in Wave Hill), Bronx This is an Accessible location
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join an environmental educator on a family-friendly walk to visit the biggest, oldest, and most unusual trees in the garden.
Spring Walk Series: Small Trees for Small Spaces
at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join Senior Horticultural Interpreter Jess Brey as she shares some of the trees and shrubs at Wave Hill that are small enough to fit in a small urban garden.
For these and more events visit NYC Parks Earth Day and Arbor Day events page.
NYC Department of Transportation is kicking off Open Street Season with the largest Earth Day Celebration.
Car-Free Earth Day Activities
Mosholu Parkway, Bronx
- Bird: The Bird Team will be on site to provide support with downloading the Bird app, sharing information about discounts, doing a helmet giveaway, and conducting demo rides on B3 scooters.
- Councilmember Dinowitz’s Office
- Dominicanos USA: Not registered to vote? Staff from Dominicanos USA and Board of Elections volunteers will conduct a voter registration drive. You can also talk to staff about pathways to citizenship and other support services.
- James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center: The James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center will provide inclusive, intergenerational activities such as childrens’ storytime and seed starting.
- Lime: Take a demo ride on a Lime scooter and learn about discount programs. Staff will be on hand to provide information on rider safety and distribute helmets.
- Montefiore Medical Center: Participate in healthy eating/healthy beverage demonstrations and learn about NeighborFood nutrition and food access programs, community gardens, and the Rethink Your Drink program.
- NYC Department of City Planning (DCP): Discover how our buildings, streets, and parks can help make our cities more equitable and resilient and share your thoughts with DCP on how to build a more sustainable New York City.
- NYC DOT Mobility Management: Meet NYC DOT’s Mobility Management team and learn about projects and initiatives to make the City accessible to all. Spanish and ASL translators will be available at this location.
- NYC DOT Pedestrian Unit: Learn more about NYC DOT’s Mosholu Parkway street improvement project and NYC’s Pedestrian Plan.
- NYC DOT Safety Education: Participate in bike safety activities and win prizes.
- NYC Parks Department – Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center: Join the Parks Department to create recycled art. The supplies used were once used for something else. This is a great way to reduce waste and make artwork.
- Veo: Veo will showcase their electric vehicles including the Cosmo sit down scooter, Astro VS4 stand up scooter and wheelchair accessible device.
- Wildlife Conservation Society: Enjoy animal trivia, biofact presentations, educational activities, and free giveaways with the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Performances
- Bindlestiff Family Cirkus: Enjoy Flatbed Follies, a circus variety show featuring delightful performances! The mission of Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. is to bring joy and wonder into the world. They are founded upon a respect for circus tradition and a drive to create new work that speaks to contemporary American culture.
- King Charles Unicycle Troupe: Straight from the Boogie-Down Bronx New York… True circus legends celebrating over 50 years – The King Charles Unicycle Troupe will astound local Bronxites with an unbelievable game of high-energy Basketball and jump rope routine on Unicycles.
Roberto Clemente Plaza, Bronx
- Citi Bike: Citi Bike will be offering free day passes! Use the code CARFREE22 in the Citi Bike app to receive unlimited 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike for 24 hours. Visit the Citi Bike tent for more details and a free giveaway (while supplies last).
- Citizens’ Climate Lobby: Learn about respectfully engaging elected officials, community leaders and the public on the best solutions for climate change. Children are invited to make climate change postcards.
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): Learn about environmental sustainability with DEP staff and pick up a fun giveaway.
- NYC DOT Safety Education: Safety Educators will lead pedestrian safety activities for children. Become a traffic safety deputy and win fun prizes.
- Third Avenue BID: The Third Avenue BID will be on hand to provide bike safety information and equipment giveaways. Bring the kids for giant street games set up on the Willis Avenue Open Street.
Performances
- Mazarte Dance Company, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm: Mazarte Dance Company will present colorful, cross-cultural, family-friendly, free, and ridiculously fun dance performances and workshops.
- Silver Shoes Dance Club (11:00am, 12:00pm): Watch Silver Shoes Dance Club members perform on the plaza and join in an interactive dance workshop.
The full list of Open Streets that will be operating this weekend can be found at nyc.gov/carfreenyc
Make Earth Day Every Day
While Earth Day events are fun for the whole family, investing in our planet should be a way of life. Even the smallest changes can make lasting positive impact. There are many local organizations that are working for a more sustainable New York City. You can find about local events and more ways to get involved:
Grow NYC
Learn about green markets, conservation, green spaces and more.
The Parkchester Project
History walk Saturday April 23 at noon. Request RSVP via direct message on their instagram page @TheParkchesterProject
Friends of Pelham Bay Park
Working to preserve the largest park in New York City
Upcoming Events
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Working to preserve and promote the value of Van Cortlandt Park
There are also park beautification events hosted by your local officials. Get to know your electeds and take an active role on your community to be the change you want to see.
Happy Earth Day!!