This Saturday is the 53rd celebration of Earth Day across the country.
This year’s global theme of celebration is “Invest in Our Planet,” a call to action for people of all generations to advocate for the Earth’s health.
In honor of Earth Day, Delaware will be hosting a variety of opportunities to volunteer, learn and enjoy nature. Here are some of the major events to look out for.
Volunteer opportunities
Christina Conservancy has been hosting a cleanup of New Castle County’s primary source of clean water since 1992. Since then, over 360 tons of debris has been cleared from the watershed. The cleanup is taking place at 12 different locations in New Castle County and begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday. You can register here.
The Delaware Coastal Community Cleanup will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon throughout Sussex County. There are 10 cleanup locations for volunteers. You can register and learn more here.
Delaware Seashore State Park in Rehoboth will be hosting a trail cleanup project for volunteers. Once the cleanup is done, volunteers can take part in Shinrin-Yoku, the art of Japanese Forest Bathing. To clarify, no bathing is required – the process is taking in one’s natural surroundings. Pre-registration is required by calling 302-227-6991.
Friends of Bombay Hook will be hosting a highway cleanup on Earth Day around Route 9 from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Volunteers meet at the Bombay Hook NWR Visitor Center in Smyrna at 8 a.m. Safety vests, gloves, pick up sticks and bags will be provided.
Education and events
The Brandywine Zoo will be throwing an educational Party for the Planet on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. With hands-on workshops, participants can learn about the zoo’s history, the naturalist movement and animal enrichment. It is included with regular zoo admission prices.
Delaware Botanic Gardens in Dagsboro has free admission on Saturday to anyone who brings food donations for the Delaware Food Bank (a list of the Food Bank’s most needed items can be found here.) Delaware’s Botanic Gardens currently have a display of over 200,000 spring bulbs throughout the gardens, which are open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Nonprofit organization Eco Plastic Products is hosting its first Earth Day celebration on Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. at 18 Germany Drive in Wilmington. The event will feature kid-friendly activities dedicated to Earth Day, live music and environmental presentations.
Smyna’s Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area is hosting a “Marsh Madness” event, with educational workshops and tours of the tidal salt marsh from 10 a.m. until noon.
Connect with nature
Delaware’s state parks are hosting Earth Day hikes around the state with varying degrees of difficulty.
A hike will be held along Rocky Run in Brandywine Creek State Park where you can learn about the biodiversity of the area. The trail is moderately difficult, and usually lasts between an hour and a half to two hours. Register over the phone at 302-655-5740 or email DNREC_brandywinecreekprograms@delaware.gov.
Cape Henlopen will be hosting a family-friendly hiking event on Earth Day at 10 a.m. focusing on the diversity of the trees around the area. People can pre-register by calling 302-645-6852.
People can enjoy a relaxing, meditative hike through White Clay Creek State Park while learning about upcoming projects coming to the area. People can register by 3 p.m. April 21 by calling 302-368-6900.
Beginner bird enthusiasts can celebrate on Saturday with a birding hike through Killens Pond State Park on Saturday to explore the over 150 species of birds that reside there. The hike will be around 1.5 miles and start at 6 p.m. People can pre-register by calling 302-284-4299 or emailing DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov.
After volunteering and learning about your local ecosystem, be sure to stay outside Saturday night. The annual Lyrid meteor shower is expected to be the most visible this weekend. If you’re able to find a dark section of sky, late evening until dawn will be the best time to watch. The shower is usually sporadic, but is expected to peak around 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Happy Earth Day.
Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
