March for Science, buy your mom a mug and 10 other ways to celebrate Earth Day in Philly
Grab your gloves and hiking shoes and lend a hand in beautifying the parks, communities and spaces that you frequent most.
Earth Day is Saturday, and while the notion of making an environmental impact on the entire world is well-intentioned, it's local efforts that make a difference. Grab your gloves and hiking shoes, and lend a hand in beautifying the parks, communities, and spaces that you frequent most.
» READ MORE: Earth Day Block Party
Drexel celebrates a little early with an outdoor sustainability party. There'll be food, games, giveaways, and eco-friendly vendors. If it rains, head to the Drexel Recreation Center Lobby at 33rd and Market Streets.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Lancaster Walk, between 33rd and 34th Streets and Market and Arch Streets, behind the Drexel Recreation Center. Free, drexel.edu.
» READ MORE: Annual Community Gardening Day
For two days, Greensgrow Farms' West Philly and Kensington locations will welcome volunteers to spruce up the respective neighborhoods from public nooks and crannies to storefronts. You'll get a free lunch for your hard work.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Greensgrow West, 5123 Baltimore Ave.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E. Cumberland St., greensgrow.org.
» READ MORE: Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival
The first Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival shines a light on short and feature-length documentary and narrative films that touch on green subjects. From undersea biodiversity to climate change and forest fires, the fest tackles many hot topics. Don't miss the opening-night party Friday featuring tunes spun by WXPN's David Dye.
April 21-23, Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. $11, $5 student, $30 weekend pass, philaenvirofilmfest.org.
» READ MORE: SRT Ale Release Party
Beer and environmentalism don't have to be mutually exclusive. On Friday, help out with the cleanup at Pottstown Riverfront and Manatawny Creek. On Saturday, Sly Fox will release its Schuylkill River Trail-inspired brew at this party, where you can also kayak, cycle, run, hike, or walk the trail where organized cleanups and group rides and runs will be held. Reward yourself with live music, food, and, naturally, beer starting at 2 p.m. Preregistration is encouraged.
5-7 p.m. Friday, Riverfront Park, 140 College Dr., Pottstown; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, St. Michael's Park, 203 Jacob St., Mont Clare, Pa. slyfoxbeer.com/srt-spree.
» READ MORE: Community Greening Workday
It's spring-cleaning time at Azalea Garden. The famous acres of land surrounding the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be your working grounds as volunteers plant blooms and trim shrubs, led by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Meet at the pergola.
9-11 a.m. Saturday, Azalea Garden, Kelly and Waterworks Drives, phsonline.org.
» READ MORE: March for Science
One of more than 400 affiliate marches, our own March for Science celebrates research, education, and policy related to the sciences. Participants will trek down Market Street to Front Street, Front to Chestnut Street, then over to Penn's Landing for speakers and entertainment.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, City Hall, 1401 JFK Blvd., sciencemarchphl.strikingly.com.
» READ MORE: Washington Crossing Park Cleanup
You really didn't think you'd get out of this without getting your hands dirty, did you? Bring a crew to this park cleanup. You know the drill: pick up litter, pull some weeds. Dress for a mess.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Rd., Washington Crossing, Pa., events.dcnr.pa.gov.
» READ MORE: Naturepalooza
With nature hikes, live animal shows, food trucks, and even a fort-building competition, there's really no excuse not to revel in the great outdoors at the Philadelphia Science Festival.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy's Mill Rd. Free, schuylkillcenter.org.
» READ MORE: Buy a mug, get a free plant
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Ten Thousand Villages, 8331 Germantown Ave., www.tenthousandvillages.com.
» READ MORE: World Tai Chi Day
Be one with the Earth — or something like that. All levels are invited to learn different styles of Qigong and Tai Chi in the shadow of City Hall, led by representatives from the Oriental Fitness Institute. The day will culminate with a Tai Chi sword (!) demonstration.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St. ccdparks.org/dilworth-park.
» READ MORE: ACUA Earth Day
Check out vendors, an upcycled-trash art show, and mini yoga sessions at a celebration of all things earthy hosted by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority. Must get: a selfie with Supercan, the recycling-friendly mascot of the festival.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, 6700 Delilah Rd., Egg Harbor Township, acua.com/earthday.
» READ MORE: Arbor Day Family Day
There's more to flowers than pollen and pretty colors. The Morris Arboretum's scientific staff will unpack the details of photosynthesis during a celebration Arbor Day weekend. Kids will learn what goes on beneath the petals with some playfully engaging activities like a make-your-own flower bandana.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 29, Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Ave., morrisarboretum.org.
» READ MORE: Cherry Hill Earth Festival
Head to Croft Farm to check rows and rows of sustainable vendors, rock out to the two entertainment stages, and chow down on healthy meal choices. It all kicks off with a family-friendly bike ride (try the two- or the nine-mile route) and includes a recycling depot where you can safely rid your house of things like batteries and plastic bags. The fest, which draws people from all over the region, is put on by the all-volunteer nonprofit Sustainable Cherry Hill.
7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Rd., Cherry Hill, 856-216-0669, www.sustainablecherryhill.org.