Celebrate the 55th Earth Day on April 22
Small actions, big impact
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, established to raise awareness about the need to protect the environment. The theme for 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet” — hashtag #RenewableEnergyNow — focusing on the urgent need to commit to renewable energy.
Whether you’re eager to get your hands dirty or enjoy a family day out, there are plenty of things to do — from family-friendly activities and free petting zoos to street cleanups and trail repairs along the Brandywine. Each year, 1 billion people in more than 193 countries participate in Earth Day — will you be one of them?
Volunteering at Local Green Spaces
If you’re ready to dust off your work gloves, join the regulars who work throughout the year by volunteering this Earth Day weekend. Here are some hands-on activities to join. Details on their websites.
Friends of Marshall Square Park needs volunteers for their annual spring cleanup, April 26 from 8:30 to noon, to spruce up this West Chester park for the warm seasons. The whole family can pick up debris, spread mulch or help clean up public areas. MarshallSquarePark.org
West Chester Borough invites you to join Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste and Police Chief Joshua Lee on April 27 for the 2025 Community Cleanup. Grab a few friends, sign up and claim your street to refresh. Use the hashtag #CleanAndGreenWC. West-Chester.com/684/Cleanup
Newlin Grist Mill in Glen Mills hosts a late Earth Day volunteer event next month on May 3 from 9:30 to 4:30. Come meet to plant trees, remove invasive plants, repair trails and improve habitat for wetland wildlife. NewlinGristMill.org
Natural Lands manages over 40 local nature preserves — ChesLen, Binky Lee, Bryn Coed — where volunteers can nurture nature by helping remove invasive plants and restore habitats plus give back by planting and gardening. NatLands.org
Brandywine Conservancy, with headquarters in Chadds Ford along the Brandywine River, uses volunteers to trim vegetation, build or repair water diversions along trails, remove invasive plants, plant and maintain trees, and more. Brandywine.org/Conservancy
Family-Friendly Earth Day Celebrations
Local townships and nonprofit organizations are hosting community celebrations for Earth Day, giving you more ways to participate. Find one that’s right for you!
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science hosts a Wee-Kids Weekend Workshop, April 19, 11 to noon. Young explorers discover how to make a difference, then tour the museum exhibits — Nature Nook, Global Journey Gallery. $15.50. DelMNS.org
French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust hosts a guided walk on April 22, 1 to 3 p.m., to connect you with the natural world — vibrant green trails, fresh air and open spaces, plus a chance to reflect on the importance of land preservation. FrenchAndPickering.org
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens in Devon scheduled their annual plant sale the weekend of April 25 and 26. Grab your gardening gloves and expand your collection with new varieties of native trees, perennials and shrubs, including rare and hard-to-find species. JenkinsArboretum.org
PA Senator Carolyn Comitta helps host an event at the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn, April 26, 10 to 1 p.m. Kids are encouraged to get up and be active with the environmental and STEM education complex and over five miles of trails. PASenatorComitta.com
Phoenixville’s “Grow with the Flow” celebration is at Reservoir Park (611 Franklin St.), April 26 from noon to 4, with a fusion of art, science and community. Forage wild edibles, make a log of edible mushrooms, craft a freshwater ecosphere, meet a live owl, travel the paths of the Lenape. Vendors, food, drum circle. PhoenixvilleChamber.org
Upper Uwchlan Township’s annual celebration returns on April 26 at Upland Farm Barn in Chester Springs from 11 to 2 p.m. Bring the whole family to watch environmental demos, learn about sustainable products and explore their nature trails. UpperUwchlan-PA.gov
Upper Merion Township’s April 26 celebration is in the lower-level parking lot and Township Park behind the Township Building in King of Prussia. This family event features vendors, food, a petting zoo and an Earth Day award ceremony encouraging sustainability. UMTownship.org
West Chester Green Team’s celebration is on April 26 at 5 p.m., in collaboration with the local Unitarian Congregation and West Chester University Office of Sustainability. There’s a lecture from Dr. Sa’ed Atshan — Peace and Conflict Studies, Swarthmore College — on how “Peace is a GREEN Issue” and a Middle Eastern cultural celebration. WCGreenTeam.com
Media’s Environmental Advisory Council guides families on a half-mile walking tour, April 27, 11 to 2 p.m., highlighting the natural world and environmental issues. Info stations include water management, biodiversity, renewable energy. Meet at 4th Street near Borough Hall. MediaBorough.com
A Helping Hand from Home
If you can’t join these fun events, no problem. Donate to these organizations or to EarthDay.org, which is working to support renewable energy. Let’s build a healthy and beautiful Earth — together.
