Earth Day 2022 in Westchester
It’s hard to believe that April 23 will the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day, an important holiday that has helped many families become more educated about environmental issues and learn how they can help prevent further climate change. In Westchester, Earth Day has inspired many opportunities for local families to help save their planet. Here are some excellent Earth Day 2022 celebrations in Westchester.
Where to celebrate Earth Day 2022 in Westchester
In Tarrytown, Earth Day is the full month of April, and The Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council (TEAC) is organizing village-wide cleanups, native seed swaps, vine removal and other group activities to improve the town and its community. Events include a community garden spring prep (April 9, 1 – 4 pm), where volunteers help prep the community garden with bed repairs, topsoil and compost. On April 14 (7 pm), the TEAC Environmental Film Series presents “The True Cost” about the environmental impact of the clothing industry, followed by a moderated discussion. On May 7 (9 am – 12 pm), the Riverkeeper Sweep is looking for volunteers to clean up the Hudson River.
Westchester residents are also invited to join a community cleanup effort called “Pitch in for the Parks,” on April 20 (3 – 6 pm), at Willson’s Woods Park in Mount Vernon. Volunteers will help weed and plant flowerbeds, perform maintenance on the native tree plantings, and manage and clip invasive plants. Preregistration is required.
On April 23, the Great Saw Mill River Cleanup (10 am – 1 pm) invites volunteers to join the Saw Mill River Coalition to remove trash and debris from the river. The cleanup will take place in six locations: Yonkers, Irvington, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry and Hastings.
Green Ossining’s 12th annual Earth Day celebration (April 23, 10 am – 5 pm) is Westchester’s largest community-run Earth Day festival, drawing more than 4,000 attendees in the past and expecting more than 100 vendors this year. The festival includes food vendors, hands-on activities and eco-demonstrations — such as food foraging by the Rewilding School. There will also be a kids activity zone, drum circles, craft beer and a textile recycling/e-waste drive. Live music features Stella Blue’s Band, Mike Risko Band and the Claremont School Chorus.
The World Peace Sanctuary in Wassiac will host “Earth Day 2022: The Enchanted Realm” on April 23, with a day of outdoor activities led by Michael Gulbrandsen, founder of Nature’s Whispers. During the morning “Fairy and Foraging Walk,” participants will gather unusual stumps, wood and artifacts, along with acorns, rocks, stones, branches and other materials to build magical creature houses.
Bedford 2030’s free annual Climate Action Earth Day Festival will take place April 24 (12 pm – 4 p.m) at Bedford Hills Train Station. Guests can join Healthy Yards, area nonprofits and a variety of local earth-friendly businesses to learn about and applaud positive steps for climate action. There will be music, food vendors, green ideas, family activities and some special guests. Exhibits will focus on community groups that support environmental work.
Westchester Environmental Organizations
It doesn’t have to be Earth Day for Westchester residents to get involved to help protect their environment. Here are some fantastic organizations that are contributing to the cause. Check them out to see how you can help.
Sustainable Westchester is a nonprofit consortium of Westchester County local governments that collaborates and produces sustainability projects — including clean energy initiatives.
Hudson Compost Services was founded by Irvington High School students in 2019. They pick up Westchester resident’s weekly compost scraps to help reduce food waste in landfills, cut down on plastic bags, and lower our greenhouse gas footprint.
Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River to safeguard drinking water supplies. Their advocacy is rooted in community partnerships, science and law.
Groundwork Hudson Valley hires local teenagers from Yonkers Public Schools for paid environmental jobs. The program focuses on leadership training and a variety of conservation and restoration skills.
The Federated Conservationists of Westchester County is a nonprofit environmental coalition of individual and organizational members that help identify environmental issues to target in the coming year. They also conduct workshops and events to educate citizens of Westchester County about these environmental issues.
