Earth Day & Arbor Day
Join us in celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day in our parks and community gardens! Enjoy fun hiking adventures, tree planting activities, nature-themed programs for the whole family, and more!
Steps You Can Take to Fight Climate Change
This year's Earth Day theme is Invest In Our Planet. Learn how you can help grow a greener future for our city, starting today, with these five simple steps!
History of Earth Day and Arbor Day in New York City
The first Earth Day was celebrated in Union Square in 1970! Take a look back at this 'ecological carnival' and how it inspired our city.
Earth Day & Arbor Day Events
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Create A Welcome Station For Your Garden
at Bronx Sunshine Garden (in ), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Do you want a welcoming way to greet visitors in your garden? Join Lillian, our GreenThumb instructor, for a hands-on workshop to build a welcome station.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Garden of Life
at Garden of Life (in ), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb garden and engage in EarthMonth activities, such as building trellises and spreading soil.
Free!
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Seed Starting Volunteer Workday
at El Batey de Doña Provi, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Participants will practice beginner-friendly gardening skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Free!
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Introduction to Basic Building Tools: Empowering People in DIY Skills
at Myrtle Village Green Community Garden, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Build your confidence and skills with tools in this welcoming course centering femme-presenting individuals interested in DIY and construction.
Free!
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Volunteer Workday: Citizens for a Better Community Garden
at Citizens for a Better Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb garden and engage in EarthMonth activities, such as filling raised beds with soil and disassembling plant structures.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Garden of Eden
at Garden of Eden, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join Garden of Eden for a volunteer workday where we will handle seasonal maintenance tasks. Bring water, snacks, and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing.
Free!
Building a Collapsible Trellis for Growing Food Vine Plants: A Beginner’s Class
at Greene Acres Community Garden, Brooklyn 
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11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Create a foldable trellis to support tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, and beans.
Free!
Spring Awakening: A Community Composting Event
at Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
This will be an opportunity to learn about Hot Box Composting and to network with other community farmers in NYC.
Free!
Care for the Earth Day
at Powers St. Community Garden, Brooklyn, Olive Street Garden, Brooklyn
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join Olive Street Garden and Powers Street Community Garden for a volunteer workday to start seeds and beautify the gardens!
Free!
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Spring Garden Prep Volunteer Workday
at Melrose New Generation Community Garden, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join Melrose New Generation Community Garden for a fun-filled day of getting the garden ready for spring! Participants will assist with planting, weeding, and general garden maintenance.
Free!
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Power Tools 101: A Beginner’s Guide for All New Users
at Seasons of Vision Garden, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
This beginner-friendly course, designed for femme presenting people but open to all, covers tool types, safety, hands-on practice, and project tips.
Free!
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Garden Bench Build Volunteer Workday
at Jardin de las Rosas, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join Jardin de las Rosas for a volunteer day to clean up the garden and build new garden benches! Participants will practice basic carpentry skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Free!
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Rat Academy Field Session
at Schomburg Arts Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn more about rat management during this in-person session.
Free!
Garden Re-Design Volunteer Workday
at Las Casitas Community Garden, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Build raised beds and redesign the space to accommodate more garden members! Participants will practice basic carpentry skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Free!
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Sustainable Garden Watering: The Art of Using Ollas
at Amboy Street Garden, Brooklyn
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Learn about using an olla, an unglazed terracotta pot that slowly hydrates your plants. This technique helps save water, especially during New York's drought.
Free!
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Kids
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Hands-On Workshop: Decorating Hanging Baskets with Perennials
at Sweetgum Community Garden (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun interactive workshop on decorating hanging baskets with perennial plants!
Free!
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Volunteer Workday: Clifton Place Memorial Garden & Park
at Clifton Place Memorial Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb garden and engage in EarthMonth activities, such as building raised beds and planting a floral landscape.
Free!
Bronx River Open House
at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Save the Date! The 2025 Bronx River Open House will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 12 noon to 4pm, at the Bronx River House in Starlight Park.
This Earth Week celebration will include:
Free Canoeing on the Bronx River
Giveaways & Prizes
Kid-friendly educational & art activities
and more!
Stay tuned for more information!
Email victoria.toro@bronxriver.org or jennifer.seda@bronxriver.org if you have questions or are interested in volunteering to support this fun-for-all-ages event.
Free!
Seeding a Vibrant Afro-Indigenous Garden
at East New York Farms, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Gather with us in the garden for seed starting and transplanting alongside stories of Afro-Indigenous crops! During our time together, we’ll connect and ground ourselves with various seeds relevant to African and Indigenous diasporas.
Free!
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Lets Help Our Street Trees Get Nutrients
at Jardin la Roca, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to pruning fruit trees inside the garden, care for our street trees, and help with the growing season by building more raise beds in the garden.
Free!
Celebrate Spring through Dance
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
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2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
The wonder of spring renewal is seen in the beauty of the salt marsh and other natural environments. The season inspires music and dance; presented by the Brooklyn Dance Ensemble.
Free!
Kids
Friday, May 16, 2025
Earth Day Celebration
at Outdoor Performance Area (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center) 

3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Raising awareness about environmental issues such as pollution, deforestation, climate change, and endangered species
Free!