Earth Day :: VBgov.com - City of Virginia Beach

Earth Day 2021

Join Parks & Rec as we celebrate Earth Day! Between April 22-29, explore educational activities, interactive experiences and more to reinforce our community's environmental commitment.

History of Earth Day

Earth Week 1970

Earth Day was actually established on April 22, 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. Nelson came up with the idea for a national day to focus on the environment after he witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, in 1969.

Twenty million Americans — at the time, 10% of the total population of the United States — took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies.

Enter The Photo Contest

Win a 2-hour kayak tour for taking care of mother nature!

Snap a pic capturing your participation in any of the Earth Day challenges and post it to our Facebook page between April 22-29.

Visit Facebook for full details and rules.

In-person Events

Public Art Sketch Crawl

April 24 | Pleasure House Point -Come view and discuss the environmental art installation called “Terrapin Basin."

Earth Day Public Art Walk

April 22 | Lake Lawson/Lake Smith - Join us for a walk and discussion on “Parallel Migrations XXV,” by Anne Dushanko-Dobek

Earth Week Challenge (April 22 - 29)

We're doing Earth Day a little bit differently this year! Each day, from April 22nd-29th we're featuring a different eco-friendly challenge for you to participate in at home or in your community. Check back every day to learn more about each activity and learn how to make a positive impact on the environment.

Day 1 \| April 22 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle	Day 2 \| April 23 Plant a pollinator garden, bed, or pot.	Day 3 \| April 24 Make Nature Art	Day 4 \| April 25 Use alternative transportation.
Day 5 \| April 26 Compost!	Day 6 \| April 27 Pick up litter or organize a community cleanup!	Day 7 \| April 28 Reduce water consumption.	Day 8 \| April 29 Plant a tree!

Come back on April 22nd for more details!

Come back on April 23rd for more details!

Come back on April 24th for more details.

Come back on April 25th for more details.

Come back on April 26th for more details.

Come back on April 27th for more details.

Come back on April 28th for more details.

Donate your unwanted bike!

Working/functional bikes in good condition that you would like to donate are welcomed by the major charity and donation centers
There are organizations within the City of Virginia Beach that will accept broken and scrap bicycles for repurposing and donations for those in need. For more information on these locations please contact Mike Moore at mtmoore@vbgov.com.

‭(Hidden)‬ Day One

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‭(Hidden)‬ Day Three

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Four

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Five

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‭(Hidden)‬ Day Seven

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Eight

‭(Hidden)‬ Virtual Field Trips

Virginia Aquarium

Our friends at the Virginia Aquarium oversee many marine conservation and sustainability programs to support our sea animals and their coastal Virginia environments. Learn more.

Virtual Walkthru of Virginia Aquarium

Supporting Sea Turtles

Making Mermaids

National Park Tours

Best viewed on desktop or via mobile apps where noted

Google Earth: 31 National Parks

iOS | Google Play Store

Ranger-led National Park Tours

Virtual Yosemite National Park

Local Park Tours

Take a digital hike through our national and local parks to learn more about their native plants, environment and other natural amenities.

Kiptopeke Outdoor Exploration

Hawkwatch at Kiptopeke

Stumpy Lake Natural Area

Local Environmental Facility Tours

To date, the City of Virginia Beach has 35 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council including the Brock Environmental Center and the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Both facilities also meet the strictest environmental standards in accordance with the Living Building Challenge™. Most, recently the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Administrative Building was distinguished with LEED® certification and most of the recreation centers are LEED® certified or registered. Learn about the City's Sustainable Practices, Policies, and Directives by visiting Virginia Beach Economic Development - Sustainability Initiatives.

The Brock Environmental Center

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Brock Environmental Center is an innovative, environmentally sensitive and smart building that embraces energy and water independence while protecting the Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia Beach Convention Center

The Virginia Beach Convention Center is the country's first LEED® Gold certified convention center.

‭(Hidden)‬ DIY Activities & Crafts

‭(Hidden)‬ Eco-learning Resources & Tools

‭(Hidden)‬ Recycle Zone

‭(Hidden)‬ "Ed" Talks

Join us for virtual Educational "Ed" Talks featuring local experts who share eco-centric practices you can use in your own backyard.

How in the World Do Bees Make Honey | Frank Walker

Find out how to be a good steward of the beekeeping community from Frank Walker.

About Frank Walker

Walker is the President of Norfolk Beekeepers and has held leadership positions with organizations including Nature Matters 501c3, Tidewater Beekeepers Association, Virginia State Beekeepers Association, Tidewater Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, Partner in Education with Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

Additional Resources:

Biologically Building a Healthy Garden | 'Farmer John' Wilson

Learn how to improve the quality of your yard, garden or farm without the use of harsh chemicals or synthetic materials. 'Farmer John' Wilson shares his agricultural expertise on managing compost, worm castings, cover crops, and biochar as eco-friendly alternatives you can use in your day-to-day.

Day 1 \| April 22 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle	Day 2 \| April 23 Plant a pollinator garden, bed, or pot.	Day 3 \| April 24 Make Nature Art	Day 4 \| April 25 Use alternative transportation.
Day 5 \| April 26 Compost!	Day 6 \| April 27 Pick up litter or organize a community cleanup!	Day 7 \| April 28 Reduce water consumption.	Day 8 \| April 29 Plant a tree!

Coronavirus Information

Earth Day 2021

Join the Festivities

History of Earth Day

Earth Week 1970

Enter The Photo Contest

In-person Events

Public Art Sketch Crawl

Earth Day Public Art Walk

What's Your Tree Hugger IQ?

Trash or Recycle Trivia Quiz

Earth Week Challenge (April 22 - 29)

Day 1 | April 22 - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Day 2 | April 23 - Plant a pollinator garden, bed or pot.

Day 3 | April 24 - Make nature art.

Day 4 | April 25 - Use alternative transportation.

Day 5 | April 26 - Compost!

Day 6 | April 27 - Pick up litter or organize a community cleanup!

Day 7 | April 28 - Reduce water consumption.

Day 8 | April 29 - Plant a tree!

Donate your unwanted bike!

‭(Hidden)‬ Day One

​Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | Thursday, April 22

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Two

Plant a pollinator garden, bed, or pot. | Friday, April 23

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Three

​Make Nature Art | Friday, April 24

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Four

​Use Alternative Transportation | Saturday, April 25

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Five

​Compost | Sunday, April 26

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Six

​Pick up litter or organize a community cleanup! | Monday, April 27

Reel-in & Recycle »

VA Fishing Line Recycle Program »

Clean the Bay Day »

Cigarette Litter Prevention Program »

Volunteer:

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Seven

​Reduce Water Consumption | Tuesday, April 28

‭(Hidden)‬ Day Eight

​Plant A Tree | Wednesday, April 28

‭(Hidden)‬ Virtual Field Trips

Virginia Aquarium

Virtual Walkthru of Virginia Aquarium

Supporting Sea Turtles

Making Mermaids

National Park Tours

Google Earth: 31 National Parks

Ranger-led National Park Tours

Virtual Yosemite National Park

Local Park Tours

Kiptopeke Outdoor Exploration

Hawkwatch at Kiptopeke

Stumpy Lake Natural Area

Local Environmental Facility Tours

The Brock Environmental Center

Virginia Beach Convention Center

‭(Hidden)‬ DIY Activities & Crafts

Animal Planter from Soda Bottles

Recycled Bird Feeder

Barks & Rex Coloring Pages

20 Sustainability Activities for Kids

Backyard Activities

54 Recycled Crafts for Kids

DIY Rain Barrel

DIY Mini Greenhouse

Earth Day Bingo

TR/Inclusion Earth Day Social Story

Recycled Sounds Educational Videos

‭(Hidden)‬ Eco-learning Resources & Tools

Environmental Education at Home

Eco-learning Apps for Kids

Sustainability Tips

State of the Urban Forest Report

Park Finder AppiOS | Android

Blog: 12 Days of Earth Day

Scoop the Poop

Take the Scoop the Poop Pledge

Blog: 15 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in Quarantine

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | Thursday, April 22

Make Nature Art | Friday, April 24

Use Alternative Transportation | Saturday, April 25

Compost | Sunday, April 26

Pick up litter or organize a community cleanup! | Monday, April 27

Reduce Water Consumption | Tuesday, April 28

Plant A Tree | Wednesday, April 28

Park Finder App
iOS | Android

Earth Day 5K Race & Mile Fun Run-Walk