Action Planet

It’s hard to imagine a time before the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Water Act, or the Endangered Species Act, but it all started in 1970, when a U.S. senator declared April 22 to be Earth Day, ushering in a new age of environmentalism. Fifty-three years later, almost 200 other countries now also observe the holiday with clean-up parties, symposiums and eco-festivals. This is one cause we can all unite behind, because wherever we plan to go when we meet our maker, it’s Mother Nature who tucks us in every night while we’re here on Earth. Here are our picks for ways to get out and go green this spring.

Earth Day Climate Action Kickoff 

April 1 You may speak for the trees as well as the Lorax, but if you want to walk the talk, head out to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area for day one of the California State Parks Foundation’s 25th annual Earth Day Climate Action. Of the park system’s 68 million annual visitors, fewer than 7,000 chose to volunteer for this monthlong statewide effort last year—Folsom Lake SRA is one of 11 featured spots this April—so our green spaces could sure use more eco-warriors to lend a helping hand. Partners like REI and Target provide sustenance and supplies, while expert tree whisperers lead you in bolstering native oak habitats against climate change, including planting trees, running irrigation lines and clearing invasive species. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. calparks.org/earthday

At the California State Parks Foundation’s Earth Day Climate Action in 2021, participants cleared away brush at the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park to help reduce the risk of wildfires. This year’s statewide project will begin at the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. (Courtesy of California State Parks Foundation)

Climate Scientist Dr. Daniel Swain 

April 5 UC Davis alum and UCLA researcher Daniel Swain is a rock star in climatologist’s clothing, landing on Vice magazine’s “Humans of the Year” list in 2020 for sounding the alarm on California’s extreme weather on his Twitter feed and WeatherWest.com blog, where he translates hard science into news you can use while you gather your animals two by two. During January’s bomb cyclone cycle that gave us an epic soaking, Swain tweeted that it was still “nowhere near the severity” we’re likely to see in what scientists have branded an “ARkStorm” scenario—as in, we’re gonna need a bigger boat. Catch Swain at the UC Davis Student Community Center in April, where he’ll appear as part of the school’s Institute of the Environment’s lecture series. 4–5:30 p.m. environment.ucdavis.edu

Great Sacramento Clean-Up

April 22 Leave the picnic basket at home and grab your work gloves when you head out for a different kind of weekend walk at the city’s third annual Great Sacramento Clean-Up, which invites you down to the riverfront or out to a local park on Earth Day to beautify our town while rubbing elbows with your fellow eco-urbanites. Organizers are still finalizing details for this year’s event, but last April saw hundreds of residents picking up litter and cleaning out our waterways in eight locations like the Sacramento River Parkway and Matsui Park. And to get to your destination in eco-style, hop on light rail or the bus—Sacramento Regional Transit will be offering free rides all day. Times and locations vary. cityofsacramento.gov

Volunteers picking up trash along the Sacramento River levee near Matsui Park during last year’s Great Sacramento Clean-Up, co-hosted by the Sacramento Tree Foundation (Courtesy of the City of Sacramento)

Nevada City Earth Fest

April 23 Nevada City has been eco-friendly since the first pair of Earth shoes stepped into town looking for a nice place to build a yurt, so it’s only fitting this picture-perfect Sierra foothills town would launch an Earth Day groove-fest for the ages. After a smaller test run last year, Broad Street will be taken over by up to 100 booths manned by innovative outdoor outfitters, builders demoing methods for going off-grid, and purveyors of sustainable goods like Sacramento’s Nudge Eco Store. Meanwhile, Grass Valley’s Hachidori will serve up organic Japanese dishes, which you can eat while catching an eco-themed juggling act. The event promises to be zero waste, so if you’re left holding a popsicle stick, you can make your way to the Organilock Bioburner, which will compost it and other trash on-site. 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. nevadacitychamber.com/earthfest

Sacramento Earth Day

April 23 We’re early adopters here in the capital city of the greenest state in the nation, having held big Earth Day bashes since the beginning. The theme for this year’s celebration—which will be hosted by the Environmental Council of Sacramento and take place at Southside Park—is “Grow Native.” Experts will be on hand to help green up thumbs and provide the know-how to transform your so-last-decade backyard into a drought-friendly zeroscape flourishing with local flora. Look for past favorites among the 100 exhibitors at the event, a lineup that has included live demonstrations from NorCal Bats and plant-based Mexican eats from Yolanda’s Tamales. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. ecosacramento.net/sacearthday