Earth Day’s turning 40 next week, and Brooklyn’s throwing a bash. The day for environmental awareness started with some grass-roots teach-ins and counterculture demonstrations in 1970. Now it’s a full-blown earth-stravaganza with film-screenings, recycling demos, eco-fests and the word ‘sustainability’ floating through the warming air. And since April 22 is a Thursday this year, the celebration’s spread out over the whole week. From a tree giveaway to a greening-your-home workshop, here’s what’s in store around the borough.
Saturday, April 17
The 1st Annual We Can Green Brooklyn EcoFair will feature green-themed lectures from industry experts, green-jobs info, a plant pavilion for gardeners, contests and prizes and live entertainment. There’ll also be recycling stations for bedding, clothes and accessories, bags, luggage, curtains, and stuffed animals. Holy Cross Auditorium & Yard, 2530 Church Ave., between Rogers & Bedford Aves.
10 am-3 pm: FREE TREES! in Clinton Hill Courtesy of Million Trees NYC (Sunday, April 18, too)
The Million Trees NYC imitative will be giving away 200 free trees. All you need is a place to plant & access to water, and horticulture experts will be on hand to give advice and lend a shovel. Trees will be available for individuals, families and community groups for planting on private property only. First-come, first-served until supplies run out. Simple tree planting & care instructions come with the free tree. Putnam Triangle in Clinton Hill (Fulton St. & Grand Ave.)
10 am-4 pm: Electronics Recycle with the Lower East Side Ecology Center (Sunday, April 18, too)
The Ecology Center is holding electronic waste collections to responsibly recycle unwanted or broken electronics. A list of acceptable materials can be found here. Habana Outpost, South Portland Ave. and Fulton St.; Sun: P.S. 29 School Yard, Baltic St. between Henry St. and Clinton St.
Sunday, April 18
8:30 am: Dow/Love Earth Run for Water
Raise awareness for the planet’s drinking water shortage with a 6K run/walk around Prospect Park. When you’re done, hang around the Water Village to hear John Legend and the Roots. $40. Concert: 10 am.
11th annual Gowanus Canal Earth Day Flotilla Spring Clean-Up
The Gowanus Canal has officially been declared a superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency, identifying it as one of the most polluted bodies of water in New York. Join the Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy for their 11th Annual Gowanus Canal Earth Day Flotilla Spring Clean-Up. Volunteers will use landing nets, or paddle the canal in a fleets of canoes to collect floating debris. Advanced registration required. Email [email protected] or call 347-224-5828.
Monday, April 19
4 pm: Big Movies for Little Kids: The Lorax and The Man Who Planted Trees
Cobble Hill Cinemas will be showing two children’s short films: The Lorax (25 min.) based on the Dr. Seuss tale and The Man Who Planted Trees (30 min.), a film based on Jean Giono’s short story. $6.50 admission. Cobble Hill Cinemas, 265 Court St.
Tuesday, April 20
Earth Day Take Action for the Earth Event with Axiom
Join the law firm Axiom and the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy’s Green Team in a volunteer effort to beautify Brooklyn Bridge Park. 6 pm. Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 Main St.
EARTH DAY! Thursday, April 22
10 am-2 pm: Celebrate Earth Day at The Block Institute with lessons for adults and children on the future of natural resources and how we can preserve them. 376 Bay 44th St., off Shore Pkwy.
3-5 pm: Brooklyn Botanic Garden Earth Day Celebration
Take a family trip to the BBG and pot a plant to take home. $8 for adults, $4 ages 12 and older. Discovery Garden, 1000 Washington Ave.
4-10 pm: GREEN BKSTYLE! At Outpost Lounge
Brooklyn Fashion Week, in an effort toward more sustainable production, invites guests to meet local designers, discuss how to add ‘green’ to your style, and view their latest designs. Designers in attendance will include Trudy Miller, Bweela Steptoe, Melissa Lockwood, Storm’s Den, and others. Free. Outpost Lounge, 1014 Fulton St.
7:30-9 pm: Earth Day with Eco-Chic Home
Emily Elizabeth Anderson of Eco-Chic Weddings will demo some ideas from her new book, Eco-Chic Home: Rethink, Reuse and Remake your way to sustainable style. She will discuss simple projects to make your home stylish and eco-conscious. Projects/crafts will include include: a paper crane chandelier, CD case light and plastic-bag flowers. Pop quiz and prizes are also on the agenda. Facebook RSVP is encouraged. WORD, 126 Franklin St.
Friday, April 23
12-4 pm: Beautiful Earth Day 2010 Block Party
The Beautiful Earth Group will be holding “Beautiful Earth Day 2010,” a block party on Degraw Street between Columbia and Van Brunt streets to celebrate Earth Day. There’ll be music, games for kids, educational displays, local food, tours of New York’s first solar-powered Electric Vehicle charging station and lots of other fun activities with street residents and neighbors. Email [email protected] or call Amanda Cleary at 718-488-8426. Degraw St. between Columbia and Van Brunt Sts.
Saturday, April 24
10 am-9 pm: Earth Day at Hattie Carthan Community Farmers’ Market
Celebrate Earth Day at the Hattie Carthan Community Garden with a garden planning workshop and free seed giveaway, followed by feasting and a community workday of various building and spring garden activities. Free. Clifton Pl. and Marcy Ave.
6:30-11 pm: Andi Rae’s 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration
Local NYC artist and environmentalist Andi Rae Healy and country music artist Alex Battles will be co-hosting a benefit concert at Park Slope’s Bar 4. Free, and with a raffle for places around the Slope. Proceeds go to Sustainable Harvest International. 444 Seventh Ave. at 15th St.
Sunday, April 25
11 am-4 pm: 3rd Annual Go Green! Greenpoint! Earth Day Celebration
The 3rd Annual Go Green! Greenpoint! Earth Day Celebration includes vendors selling earth-friendly merchandise, organizations promoting earth awareness, school and community group participation, music, children’s events, health and wellness demonstrations, a recycling station and healthy food and treats. McCarren Park, Nassau Ave., Bayard, Leonard & N. 12th Sts.
1 pm: Earth Day Celebrations at Ikea/Erie Basin Park
Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy is hosting a fun-filled family day in environmental literacy and maritime cultural enrichment in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Activities include: Catch and Release Fishing, Live Underwater Video Exploration, Recycling, Kite Flight, Mobile Museum Gift Shop, Refreshments, and Live Music. The day will culminate with the ceremonial launch of the Giant Floating Earth Ball. IKEA/Erie Basin Park, One Beard St.
For an exhaustive listing of events in NYC, here are a few links:
EarthDay.org’s Action Center
Earth Day Listings from GrowNYC/Council on the Environment NYC
Earth Day 2010: 30 Activities for Kids in New York City
Earth Day New York
Celebrate Earth Day in New York City
Is there a BK Earth day celebration we missed? Let us know.
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Dude this is an awesome list. Earth Day bugs the crap out of me (one whole day for the planet!) and I want to go to half the things on this list. You guys rock.