What is Earth Day?
The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970 with an estimated 20 million Americans participating. The idea was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) Dennis Hayes after they witnessed the horrors of the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara. On April 22, 2012, the 42nd Earth Day will be honored around the world with events organized throughout the entire month of April.
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day, here’s where to go!
Long Beach:
Aquarium of the Pacific Earth Day Celebration
When: Saturday, April 21st and Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Join the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for a weekend of Earth Day events. Learn how to help our ocean planet, visit booths from earth-friendly organizations and participate in hands-on learning demonstrations. The Aquarium will also be collecting e-waste and outdated AT&T yellow pages at the eWaste and AT&T booths. Bring your old yellow pages or unwanted electronic gadgets and receive a $7 off adult admission coupon valid for April 21st and 22nd. For more information visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.
Children’s Day and Earth Day Celebration & Parade
When: Saturday, April 28, 2012 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: El Dorado Park – Stage by the Duck Pond, 2400 Studebaker and Willow, Long Beach, CA 90815
A day long festival to celebrate Children’s Day and Earth Day is planned for Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 11:00 am – 4:0o pm at the state by the duck pond at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. Performances include children’s choirs, folkorico, gymnastics, Cambodiann singers and dancers, drummers, drill teams and more. For more information visit www.childrensday.net.
Los Angeles:
Los Angeles Zoo Earth Day Expo Weekend
When: Saturday, April 21st and Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Join the L.A. Zoo and K-EARTH101 FM for two days of music, entertainment, and education that celebrates California wildlife. Visit the Zoo’s featured animal booths, including harbor seals, California condors, California brown pelicans, California desert tortoise, Channel Island foxes, and bighorn sheep. Other activities:
■Have your face painted, create a tie-dye t-shirt, and meet your favorite disc jockey at the K-EARTH 101 FM activity booths.
■Visit Earth-friendly exhibitors throughout the Zoo’s front entrance.
■Learn about healthy minds, bodies and living in an interactive family-friendly environment!
■Receive a FREE activity book and learn to make recycling part of your everyday life.
All activities are free to GLAZA members and with paid Zoo admission.
For more information visit www.lazoo.org.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Celebrate Earth Day at the Los Angeles County Museum of Act (LACMA) Because EARTH without ART is just “EH”. The day of programs and activities for all ages includes workshops, films, tours, guided walks, storytelling, music and more. Free admission to those who bike to the museum or use alternated transportation. For more information visit www.lacma.org/event/earth-day.
Malibu:
Malibu Beach Cleanup Earth Day
When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Where: Surfrider Beach, 23500 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Join Heal the Bay volunteers at Malibu Beach for a beach cleanup on Sunday April 22, 2012 from 9:00 am – 10:30 pm. Earth Day is a great opportunity to get involved and help to ensure that our beautiful coastline beaches are clean. The cleanup is open to all ages (kids must be accompanied by an adult). Please bring your own bucket or bag, reusable gloves and refillable water bottles. Volunteers must register in advance and have a signed waiver. For more information and to register visit www.healthebay.org.
Manhattan Beach:
Earth Day Celebration at Polliwog Park
When: Saturday, April 28, 2012 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Polliwog Park, Corner of Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Celebrate Earth Day at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012 with great food, eco-friendly booths, kids’ activities, edible garden workshop, entertainment and much more. For more information visit www.greenervoice.org/earthday.htm.
Rancho Palos Verdes:
Terranea Resort Earth Week Events
When: Wednesday, April 18th – Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
Where: Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Walk, Bike or Share-a-Ride Day (Wednesday, April 18) – Guests are encouraged to explore Terranea and the local Rancho Palos Verdes area via mass transit, and check out options for carpooling. On April 18, guests who carpool to the resort can validate their parking tickets at Pointe Discovery to receive complimentary valet parking. Less driving means fewer emissions and every gallon of gas saved also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Sea Lion Release and Volunteer Drive (Thursday, April 19) – Partnering with Terranea, the Marine Mammal Care Center rehabilitation and rescue team, will be releasing rescued Sea Lions back into their natural habitat. The five-star send off for the marine mammal friends will begin at 10:00 a.m. and take place at the Terranea Beach Cove. To date, the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur has treated and helped rehabilitate more than 4,500 marine mammal patients. Volunteers will have a behind-the-scenes opportunity to work with the rescue team while they examine, feed and help recover sea lions and other marine wildlife. Throughout the day, guests are encouraged to sign-up for volunteer time at the Marine Mammal Care Center. Donations of office supply items such as paper towels or highlighters, which are critical to operations at the Care Center, are also welcomed.
Growing A Billion Acts of Green® Tree and Habitat Restoration (Friday, April 20) – Plant a seed and grow a tree of action. Guests are invited to walk the Discovery Trail that surrounds Terranea Resort and learn about the indigenous plants and wildlife through naturalist-guided tours. A sampling of plants includes Dune Buckwheat (host plant to the endangered El Segundo Blue Butterfly), California Bush Sunflower, Lemonade Berry, and Coastal Prickly Pear. This varied mix of perennials, cacti and hardy shrubs provides a visual feast of color and texture for trail goers, as well as a welcome refuge for local wildlife. As keepers of this natural habitat, guests will work together as a team to restore indigenous plants, remove debris and help clean-up the Discovery Trail and surrounding area for the local wildlife.
Energy Conservation (Saturday, April 21) – The activity of focus for the day. Lighting throughout the entire resort will be turned off or dimmed to the lowest possible setting. Guests are encouraged to conserve and participate as well. Saving electricity doesn’t just save money, it saves the environment by reducing pollution.
Earth Day, Fun with Purpose through Aqua-Terra Adventures (Sunday, April 22) – Guests can help preserve their home away from home. Tapping into the expertise of naturalists, ornithologist, and artists, Terranea has created adventures that provide hours of fun, while offering teachable moments in nature. Whether it’s by firsthand exploration of the tide pools and nature trails or through educational programs, guests will leave with a connection to this wondrous place. Guests are invited to experience a variety of unique workshops and excursions throughout the day from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. including: A Hawk Walk with Falconers, Ocean Clean-Up by Kayak, Edible Landscaping Demonstration, and Discovery Trail Hikes. All program fees will be donated to local non-profit organization partners.
Denim Collection Turns Blue to Green (April 18-22): Terranea’s Pointe Discovery will be collecting donated denim from guests throughout Earth Week to help support Cotton. From Blue to Green®. Through the Cotton. From Blue to Green® program, denim is collected and converted to UltraTouch Denim Insulation to be been used in the building of multiple homes for communities in need. UltraTouch Denim Insulation is environmentally safe and offers exceptional acoustic and thermal performance without carcinogenic warnings, formaldehyde, or chemical irritants.
Redondo Beach:
Redondo Beach Earth Day Celebration
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: The SEA Lab, 1021 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Presented by the City of Redondo Beach and the SEA Lab, the SEA Lab will host an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Participate in a beach cleanup, attend a composting workshop, learn how to create water efficient gardens and trade in your plastic bags for reusable tote bags. There will be also be a chalk art challenge! The event is free and free parking is available at the Redondo Beach Marina near Ruby’s Diner if you bring a copy of the event flyer. Visit www.redondo.org for more information and a copy of the event flyer.
Santa Monica:
Beach Cleanup – Earth Day
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Monica Beach – Ocean Park, 2600 Barnard Way (at the end of Ocean Park), Santa Monica, CA 90405
Join Heal the Bay volunteers at Santa Monica Beach for the monthly Nothin’ But Sand beach cleanup on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Earth Day is a great opportunity to get involved and help to ensure that our beautiful coastline beaches have nothing but sand. The cleanup is open to all ages (kids must be accompanied by an adult). Please bring your own bucket or bag, reusable gloves and refillable water bottles. Come early to look for street parking or pay the early bird (before 9 am) lot rate. Volunteers must register in advance and have a signed waiver. For more information and to register visit www.healthebay.org.
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Earth Weekend
When: Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, 2012, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Celebrate Earth Day all weekend at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium with special presentations and activities for all ages. Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, workshops, performances and presentations. Suggested $5 donation, adult admission $3, children 12 & under are free. Free admission to everyone who participates in the Nothin’ But Sand Cleanup from 10 am – noon on Saturday, April 21, 2012 (registration required).
Saturday’s schedule: www.healthebay.org/event/santa-monica-pier-aquarium-earth-weekend-day-1
Sunday’s schedule: www.healthebay.org/event/santa-monica-pier-aquarium-earth-weekend-day-2