While our planet deserves to be celebrated every day of the year, there’s no better excuse than April 21st—the officially designated Earth Day—to show our love for the environment and embrace the great outdoors. From earth-centric events at L.A’s zoos and botanical gardens to festivals and workshops in parks across the city, there is no shortage of opportunity to pay homage to this fabulous planet we call home.
Celebrate earth’s creatures all month long at the L.A. Zoo. Marking the zoo’s 50th anniversary, Wild for the Planet features an entire month of conservation-focused shows, presentations, and activities, including animal care programs that guide visitors through the daily care of zoo animals, interactive puppet shows, and Eco Action stations designed to teach patrons how to minimize their environmental footprint. Free with zoo admission. From April 22nd to May 19th at L.A Zoo.
Get your “bling” on at Earth Day & Botanic Bling at Descanso Gardens. Celebrate Earth Day and the spring season with programs focusing on flowers, plants and “earth-friendly bling.” From a plant sale hosted by students from the Mt. San Antonio College horticulture program to an Earth Day-inspired trunk show and family gardening clinic, the celebration is suited to nature lovers of all ages. Free with admission to the Gardens from 9am to 5pm at Descanso Gardens.
Pack a picnic and head to Exposition Park for the second-annual Earth Day L.A. event. L.A. Sanitation will bring their trucks for kids to explore, craft tables
will be on hand to entertain, and a series of exhibits will shed light on the city’s work to remain sustainable and green. In the spirit of Earth Day, visitors are encouraged to take public transportation. Free. April 22nd from 10am to 2pm at Exposition Park.
Bring the whole family to Hauser & Wirth gallery for Family Garden Workshop: Earth Day Celebration. Get hands-on garden training with educators from the Garden School Foundation, a group responsible for the teaching gardens located at 24th Street School in West Adams. It’s free to participate, but registration is required. April 22nd from 12 to 3pm at Hauser & Wirth.
Ever wanted to start a backyard compost of your own? Attend a 2017 home composting workshop in Griffith Park. Hosted by L.A. Sanitation, the workshops are led by composting experts who will review everything from backyard composting to smart gardening techniques, worm composting, and grasscycling. Discounted compost bins and soil amendment will be available for purchase. The second Saturday of each month through November from 10am to 11am at Griffith Park Composting Facility.
