Every year on April 22, our global community comes together to advance sustainability and climate action in commemoration of Earth Day. In recent years, our community has begun expanding the Earth Day celebration to include events and activities throughout the month of April. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest In Our Planet,” which highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues.
Throughout April, the City will join our community in commemorating Earth Month with educational activities, volunteer events and more. United together, we’ll drive a year of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to a sustainable and equitable future for our planet.
Earth Month tips!
Here are some tips for celebrating our Earth this April and beyond!
Avoid plastic disposables. Bring your reusable bags when shopping and take your reusable water bottle everywhere you go to reduce plastic consumption.
Ride the bus — Lawrence Transit is free in 2024! Leaving your car at home can mean reduced gasoline consumption and carbon emissions.
Conserve energy. You can install a programmable thermostat, use energy-efficient appliances, insulate and weatherize your home, and replace or cleaning your air filters.
Visit a Lawrence park. Walking through a park is a fun way to learn about nature and interact with the environment.
Plant a tree. Planting a tree is an easy way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and counter deforestation.
Conserve water. Turning off your irrigation system when it rains and watering as infrequently as possible without causing undue stress to your lawn prevents water from being wasted.
Earth Month activities and events!
April (all month)
TAKE A TREE TOUR of South Park or Lawrence Rotary Arboretum.
Together these sites are home to more than 50 species of trees! Access an interactive map of each site to take a self-guided tour. How many species can you find?
Two Lawrence locations: South Park, 1141 Massachusetts Street and Lawrence Rotary Arboretum, 5100 W 27th Street
Cans for the Community celebrates Earth Day the entire month of April!
The goal is to recycle 5,000 pounds of aluminum cans and donate all proceeds to the USD 497 elementary schools. You can help by dropping off aluminum cans at one of the “can houses”. Locations are listed on the Cans for the Community website.
Various locations throughout Lawrence
JENNIE BROOKS: A NATURE LOVER IN LAWRENCE
April 19, 7-8 PM
Watkins Museum
RIVER CLEANUP
April 20, to 1 PM
Friends of the Kaw
LAWRENCE EARTH DAY FAIR
April 20, 1-4 PM
Lawrence Earth Day Fair Information
WAKARUSA WETLANDS CELEBRATION
Apr 21, 9-11AM, Haskell Indian Nations University
We’ll begin with a special land recognition at the Medicine Wheel Earthwork south of the Haskell Campus buildings. Meet Dr. Daniel Wildcat and more local authors & artists as they share connections of their creative work to the wetlands and more of the outside world–enhancing our connections to nature, a sense of place and community. Lawrence Public Library is partnering with Haskell Indian Nations University and Raven Book Store to offer this celebration of the wetlands. Consider bringing a refillable water bottle (reduce use of plastic) and lawn chair or blanket; we’ll be outside. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held May 11. Questions? Ask Shirley
TRAILS THAT CONNECT US
April 25, 5-8 PM
Free State Brewing Co.
Previous Earth Day Reports
- Earth Day Celebration 2022 (web page)
- Earth Day Celebration 2021 (web page)
- Earth Day Celebration 2020 (web page)
- Earth Day Parade & Celebration 2019 (PDF)
- Earth Day Parade & Celebration 2018 (PDF)
- Earth Day Parade & Celebration 2017 (PDF)
- Earth Day Parade & Celebration 2016 (PDF)