April 22nd is Earth Day, a worldwide holiday celebrating the beautiful planet we live on and emphasizing what we can do to protect it from pollution, trash, and wasteful behavior. The official theme of this year’s Earth day is Planet vs. Plastics. As in years past, plenty of exciting events are brewing to celebrate this holiday. To help you make the most of your Earth Day, we’re highlighting some of our favorite special events and deals you can find in and around LA. 

LASAN’s Own Earth Day Extravaganza

How could we not take this opportunity to highlight the event that we’re putting on? Just like last year, you can explore LASAN’s Earth Day LA on April 20, 2024! We’ve set up a variety of exhibitions showcasing LASAN’s sustainability programs and services for you to explore. Meanwhile, kids can have a blast honking horns and exploring the ins and outs of the big trucks and vehicles used by LA Sanitation and Environment. After refueling with complimentary lunch and snacks, you can also dive deeper into composting at our free home-gardening workshop, where you’ll learn how to turn kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich soil. Come join us for a day packed with educational opportunities and family-friendly activities!

Explore the World’s Wonders – For Free!

Get ready for National Park Week! From April 20 to April 28, this nine-day celebration of over 400 national parks across the country promises some great perks! Entrance fees are waived on April 20 to kick off the festivities, inviting everyone to explore these natural wonders completely for free. Can’t visit in person? Experience virtual parks online. Follow #NationalParkWeek on social media for updates on events and activities hosted by the National Park Service and its partners.

Help Clean Up Our Planet

We love to party, but Earth Day isn’t all fun and games. As much as it is a celebration of the beautiful world we call home, it’s also meant to be a wake-up call. The theme of this year’s Earth Day wouldn’t need to be ‘Planet vs. Plastic’ if it weren’t for the very real threat that plastic and pollution pose to our planet and community. The only way we can protect the planet is if we all pitch in and work together – that’s why we’re highlighting a few clean-up events that are being held in honor of Earth Day. If you love our planet as much as we do, we highly encourage you to sign up for one of these events or a different one in your area:

  • Ballona Habitat Restoration –  The Friends of Ballona Wetlands holding an Earth Day Cleanup on April 27th to protect and maintain the Ballona Wetlands – LA’s last coastal wetland. Come help maintain a healthy ecosystem and learn about urban ecology.
  • Rio de Los Angeles Clean-Up – The California State Parks Foundation is holding a restoration event at the Rio De Los Angeles State Park on April 21st. Come help maintain the park’s ecosystem, enjoy art-making activities, and enjoy a live musical performance from the CalPark’s in-house band. 
  • Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Habitat Restoration – Friends of the LA River are actually hosting two events in celebration of Earth Day! On Saturday, April 20th, you can join hundreds of volunteers at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve for a morning of habitat restoration. Then on Sunday, April 21st FoLAR is hosting their first ever Earth Day Extravaganza. There will be so many fun activities from eco-inspired arts and crafts to live music to an inflatable obstacle course. It’s a day you won’t want to miss!
  • Beach Cleanup – Join Heal the Bay for the Nothin’ But Sand beach cleanup event on April 20th! All are welcome to join in protecting our beaches and oceans from plastic pollution. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while enjoying the beauty of our local beaches.
  • City’s Office of Community Beautification Resources – There are so many amazing resources to take advantage of all year round but no better time than Earth Month to check them out! You can access free mulch, free trees, rain barrel installation, and more. 

Conclusion:

As Earth Day approaches, let’s reflect on the importance of this global celebration. It’s not just a day to admire the beauty of our planet, but also a call to action. Whether it’s participating in educational events like LASAN’s Earth Day LA, exploring the wonders of our national parks, or getting hands-on in community clean-up efforts, there are countless ways to make a difference. This year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” reminds us of the urgent need to address environmental challenges such as plastic pollution. By coming together as individuals and communities, we can protect and preserve the Earth for generations to come. Let’s make every day Earth Day and continue to strive for a cleaner, healthier planet.

Got an Earth Day event that you want to highlight? Send it to us at lastormwater@lacity.org for a chance to be featured on our blog or social media.