This Earth Day, celebrate 49 years of eco-advocacy by volunteering to plant trees, recycle glass, learn about climate change or enjoy an Earth Day happy hour.
Each year more than one-billion people in 192 countries celebrate Earth Day on April 22 as a commitment to protect ecosystems, fight climate change and live greener lifestyles every day, according to the Earth Day Network.
For a list of the “Best Earth Day Celebrations,” visit Rave Review. For more events nationwide, listed by city, visit Earth911.
In the Kansas City metro area, Greenability found 19 Earth Day events that span more than a week from April 18 – 28:
FRIDAY, APRIL 18 EVENTS
Johnson County Community College EarthFest
Friday, April 19 – Thursday, April 25
Johnson County Community College, COM Plaza, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS
The JCCC Center for Sustainability will host a week of Earth Day events at Johnson County Community College. Events include a farm work day, farm lunch EarthFest clothing swap and Earth Days waste audit. For more information, contact [email protected].
Kansas City Community Gardens Earth Day Happy Hour
Friday, April 18: 5 – 8 p.m.
Bier Station, 120 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO
Toast the Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG) at this Earth Day Happy Hour fundraiser. KCCG is a non-profit that assists hundreds of community partner, school and neighborhood gardens throughout the city. KCCG will have seeds and herbs for sale.
UMKC Saving the Planet Earth Day Festival
Friday, April 19: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
UMKC Pierson Hall, 711 E. 51st St., Kansas City, MO
The Global and Multicultural Education Center and UMKC School of Education are hosting a free Earth Day event with displays and interactive workshops covering climate change, climate literacy, renewable energy, transportation, climate impacts on public health, urban poor and clean air and water.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20 EVENTS
Climate Council of Greater Kansas City Earth Day
Saturday, April 20: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Plaza Library, 4801 Main St., Kansas City, MO
Kick off Earth Day with city officials and environmental activists at a Climate Council of Greater Kansas City climate change forum, environmental fair and a march to Mill Creek Park. The day-long event will include a series of sessions on carbon pricing, sustainable food, the climate emergency, intergenerational nature-connected play, strategic defense impacts of climate change, agriculture and climate change, Missouri renewable energy programs and children’s activities. Speakers include:
• Michael Kelly, Mayor, Roeland Park, KS
• Bob Grove, president, Climate Council
• Sami Aaron, founder, The Resilient Activist
• Stephen Melton, Citizens Climate Lobby KC
• Josh Thede, Lutherans Restoring Creation
• Craig Wolfe, Heartland Renewable Energy Society
• Katherine Kelly, Cultivate KC
• Jack Vandeleuv, Sunrise Movement Kansas City
• Philip Fracica, Renew Missouri
• Lee Gum, Extinction Rebellion Kansas City
For a complete schedule of events, visit Climate Council of Greater Kansas City.
Drive Electric Earth Day-Lawrence
Saturday, April 20: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1141 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS
Electric vehicles will be on display at the Lawrence Earth Day Parade and at the Drive Electric Earth Day-Lawrence at the northern end of the parking lot located south of the Court House. EV owners will be available to talk about their experiences and the advantages of EVs, including lower costs, minimal maintenance and zero emissions. Find more information at Drive Electric Earth Day-Lawrence.
Earth Day Hike with a Naturalist
Saturday, April 20: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO
Learn about Swope Park by hiking with a naturalist. This free hike begins at the Lakeside Nature Center and is open to all ages, but not appropriate for children in strollers. For more information, call the center at 816-513-8960.
Saturday, April 20: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO
Learn about native plants and select some for your garden at the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) native plant sale. Learn how to make a seed ball with native plant seeds and take home free tree seedlings. The event includes guided landscape tours, advice on landscaping with native plants and children’s activities. Plants will be for sale by Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, Galyena’s Garden, Green Thumb Gardens and Taylor Creek Restoration Nursery to benefit MPF.
Kansas City Zoo Party for the Planet
Saturday, April 20: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO
Children can learn about conservation through a Dr. Seuss favorite, The Lorax, a light-hearted but cautionary tale of what might happen to our environment if we do not take responsibility for its stewardship. They can get a photo taken with the Lorax and then catch a screening of the movie in the auditorium at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Visitors who bring in old cell phones, iPods, iPads, tablets, mp3 players and accessories to be recycled, will receive $3 off regular admission and a reusable zoo bag. Visitors can also learn how to attract pollinators to their gardens by making a native plant seed ball. The Little Blue River Watershed Coalition will also be presenting Blue at the Zoo interactive, fun and educational activities related to water quality. ZooManoo, composted animal manure, will also be on sale.
Lakeside Nature Center Earth Day
Saturday, April 20: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO
Celebrate Wildlife in Swope Park with wildlife interpretations, informational booths, crafts and StoneLion Puppet show at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Lawrence Earth Day Parade & Celebration
Saturday, April 20: 11 a.m. Parade; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
South Park, 11th & Massachusetts streets, Lawrence, KS
The 19th Annual Lawrence Earth Day Parade & Celebration will feature environmental exhibits, live music, yoga, local food vendors, environmental exhibits and children’s activities. Attendees can learn about waste reduction, recycling, composting, alternative fuels and vehicles, energy conservation, land preservation, wildlife and habitat preservation. The free event is organized by the University of Kansas Environs. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at 8th Street and ends at South Park, 11th and Massachusetts streets. The Lawrence Transit System will offer free bus rides all day Saturday, April 20.
Metropolitan Energy Center Earth Day
Saturday, April 20: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Project Living Proof, 917 Emanuel Cleaver Blvd., Kansas City, MO
Explore ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle with a tour through Project Living Proof, an eco-friendly demonstration home owned by the Metropolitan Energy Center. The event includes:
- Guided tour of Project Living Proof house showcasing energy efficiency, eco-friendly finishes and solar energy.
- Sustainable fruit and vegetable garden by Masters Gardeners of Greater Kansas City.
- Local environmental organization exhibits offering greener lifestyle choices
- Sustainable plant-based burgers and brats from VegLife KC.
- Test drives of zero-emission electric cars, including LEAF and Tesla, courtesy of Mid-America Electric Auto Association and area dealers
The event is free, but visitors are encouraged to register at MEC.
Powell Gardens Planting an Impact: Earth Day 2019
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
Celebrate Earth Day by restoring a native prairie with Powell Gardens. Individuals, families, environmental groups and Scout troops are invited to help Powell Gardens manage the native landscapes to support diverse plant and animal species. Participants may make seed bombs containing native plant seeds and throw them into the prairies to increase the seed bank with native plant species. Powell Gardens’ staff and volunteers will be available at stations to share the importance of planting native species in home and community gardens. The event is free with regular garden admission. Register at Powell Gardens.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21 EVENTS
Sunday, April 21: 10 – 11 a.m.
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO
The Heartland Renewable Energy Society and All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church are sponsoring an event that explains the basics of the proposed Green New Deal. Winston Apple, a local environmental activist, will discuss the national proposal by political leaders to address the climate crisis and the need for environmental social justice.
MONDAY, APRIL 22 EVENTS
Heartland Tree Alliance Earth Day Tree Planting
Monday, April 22: 9 a.m. – Noon
Prairie Creek Greenway, 12496 State Highway N, Platte City, MO
Volunteer to plant trees in a riparian area at Prairie Creek Greenway. Riparian areas are the interface between land and a river or stream. These areas are significant in environmental management because of their role in soil conservation, habitat biodiversity and the influence they have on fauna and aquatic ecosystems. No prior tree planting experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Register in advance at Heartland Tree Alliance.
Monday, April 22: 5 – 7 p.m.
Boulevard Brewery, 2534 Madison Ave, Kansas City, MO
Boulevard Brewery and Ripple Glass are hosting an Earth Day Happy Hour to support Green Works, a Kansas City non-profit that empowers and educates youth on creating a healthy environment. Ripple Glass will be accepting glass recycling and offering giveaways.
Monday, April 22: 2 – 6 p.m.
Westport Commons Farm, 300 E. 39th St., Kansas City, MO
Work with the Cultivate KC staff to help the Westport Commons Farm plant an orchard with trees from The Giving Grove and mulch from Missouri Organic Recycling. Volunteers can register at Cultivate KC.
Kansas University Medical Center Sustainability
Monday, April 22: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
KUMC Murphy Courtyard, 3900 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS
Take part in activities and interactive displays, visit with vendors working on sustainability around Kansas City, nominate a sustainability champion, recycle glass and printer cartridges, enjoy free snacks, play courtyard games and win raffle prizes at this free event.
Sprint Center Earth Day Recycling Event
Monday, April 22: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sprint Center, 14th and Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
Recycle glass and paper that needs secure shredding with Ripple Glass and ProShred at the Sprint Center Earth Day Recycling Event. This is a drop-off event on Barnes Plaza located in front of the Sprint Center box office at 14th and Grand Boulevard. Volunteers will be on site to assist with unloading paper and glass. Acceptable glass includes food, beverage, wine, mason jars (with labels), candle jars (with wax) and cosmetic bottles and jars. Participants can enter a contest to win tickets to the upcoming U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27 & SUNDAY, April 28 EVENTS
Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
16905 Jowler Creek Road, Platte City, MO
Take a tour of Missouri’s first green vineyard and winery and see how the owners use sheep to control weeds and chickens to control pests. The winery uses solar energy and electric vehicles. Electric charging stations are available. Visitors who drive a hybrid or EV to the event will receive two free wine tastings.
Photo: Lawrence Earth Day Parade & Celebration