With the COVID-19 vaccine slowly being distributed across the country, we want to make sure everyone can participate in this impactful month for parks and the environment. That is why this year we will be hosting both virtual and in-person Earth Day Climate Action events. Below are all the ways you can participate in Earth Day Climate Action in 2021!
Participate in our Virtual Earth Day Climate Action
You can make a huge difference in your community this April by participating in our virtual Earth Day Climate Action with REI! We are asking folks to visit their local state parks, playgrounds, neighborhood parks, or even just their own backyards and pick-up trash. Please follow local social distancing safety measures and wear a mask. During this challenging time, we wanted to encourage stewardship of all our natural spaces and give our community something tangible and positive to do while in quarantine.
Here is how you can participate:
- Register for your virtual Earth Day kit at your local REI Store. Quantities are limited. Secure yours today! Your FREE Earth Day kit will be available to pick up at your selected REI store starting April 1. Each kit will include 1 face mask, trash bags, a coupon from our friends at REI, an exclusive Earth Day Climate Action sticker, REI sticker, and all the information you need to clean up litter in your local community.
- Want to use your own gear? No problem! You can still participate in virtual Earth Day Climate Action with your own trash bags and face masks.
- Make a plan with your household and decide when and where you want to make an impact throughout the month of April. It can be anywhere! Your own street, a local playground, or a state park or beach within driving distance are all great options.
- Remember to keep track of how many bags of litter you collect and record it at calparks.org/virtualearthdayreport by May 1 and you could win a special prize from REI.
- Share your impact with others! Use the #CalParksEarthDay and #OptOutside hashtags and tag @calparks and @REI on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Join our Earth Day Climate Action Webinar on April 22 at 10am
This year kick off this special day of action with California State Parks Foundation’s Earth Day Climate Action webinar! We will be bringing together a panel of dedicated park employees, volunteers, and supporters to discuss what we need to do to make our California state parks more climate resilient and the on Earth Day and every day. Because together we can protect our state parks now and for generations to come!
Panelists include:
- Cara Stafford, California State Parks Environmentalist
- Tanisha Gupta, California State Parks Foundation Youth Core Leader
- REI
Register for a socially distant Earth Day Climate Action Workday
For the first time in 20+ years of Earth Day activities, we are downsizing our in-person volunteer events. Because of this, we are hosting a limited number of in person workdays across California. Space is limited to keep participants and park staff as safe as possible. For your safety and the safety of others, please do not attend the event if you are not feeling well or are sick. Click here to find a socially distanced workday near you!
Projects include:
Angel Island State Park | April 3, 2021 at 9:00am
Volunteers will help replace non-native lawn with native buffalo grass. The native grass will continue to allow park visitors to enjoy the public picnic area while reducing the amount of water and maintenance needed in this high use area. All ages welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a waiver signed by their guardian). Please note: The event time includes the boat ride to and from the island.
China Camp State Park | April 10 at 9:00am
Volunteers are invited to engage in trash pickup as individual households, not as a group activity. Participants can arrive at any point between 9am-10:30am to pick up buckets and trash grabbers and receive activity and safety instructions which will include a map of target trash pick-up areas. They can return the equipment anytime between noon and 1pm. Participants that return with at least one bucket full of trash will receive a sandwich and a drink at the China Camp Village Cafe.
Chino Hills State Park | April 10 at 9:00am
Volunteers will help with weed abatement with the large amounts of weeds after the Blue Ridge Fire. Volunteers will also provide general clean-up and removal of non-native plants.
Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park | April 17 at 9:00am
Volunteers will be broken into smaller groups and given different segments of the park to clear brush, remove invasive plant species, and pick up trash. This project will enhance Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park with climate resiliency by removing excess vegetation, invasive species, and nonnative plants which will create fire breaks around historic structures to help ensure preservation and future interpretation of this historical site. All ages welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a waiver signed by their guardian).
Half Moon Bay State Beach | April 17 at 9:00am
Help park staff remove invasive weed species in sand dune and coastal bluff habitats. Volunteers will be divided into groups led by State Parks staff and California State Parks Foundation Core Leaders. Earth Day volunteers will be trained to remove various invasive species by hand or with tools. All ages welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a waiver signed by their guardian).