Celebrate Earth Day/Arbor Day 2021 with free trees, craft projects
Every year, April is dedicated to showing some love to Mother Earth. Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 30) are observed nationally as days to educate everyone about the importance of clean air, land and water. It’s time to think green, and South Florida cities have come up with plenty of ways to bring awareness to energy- and water-saving efforts as well as recycling and the environmental value of planting trees.
Here are ways to take part in a city near you:
The 21st annual Arbor Day Free Tree Giveaway is not letting COVID-19 derail the city’s free event for residents. Converting to a drive-thru event, the annual giveaway will take place at Butterfly Parking Lot, 5280 NW 40th St., from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 24. Residents can enter the event from Banks Road and drive slowly to the appropriate lane for the tree selection. Trees will be placed in the trunks of each vehicle. Lane A is offering avocado, gumbo limbo, mango and orange Geiger trees, while Lane B will include pink tabebuia, silver buttonwood, loquat and yellow trumpet trees. Individuals are advised to have a second or third choice in mind in case their first choice is not available. Visit bit.ly/3cXyqjJ.
- The city of Coral Springs is having a virtual recycled materials art contest for students to show their passion for the planet. From now until 5 p.m. Thursday, April 15, students from kindergarten to 12th grade can submit entries using recycled materials they find around the community. Students must be residents of Coral Springs or attend a school in the city. The submitted artwork will be judged by city staff with the winner set to be announced on Thursday, April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. A first-, second- and third-place winner will be picked from each grade group. The winners will be recognized on the city’s website, social media platforms and displayed at the entrance of the Coral Springs Museum of Art from April 22 to 30. Visit bit.ly/3t7qsKE.
- Reimagining its EarthFest Plant Distribution event, the city of Coral Springs is having this year’s affair on Saturday, April 24 at the Sportsplex Tom Hessenheimer Field, 2575 Sportsplex Drive, from 9 a.m. to noon. This year’s free EarthFest event will include nature exhibits, community garden information and plant giveaways for Coral Springs residents only. The city will also be hosting a clean-up throughout the city, beginning at 9 a.m. Individuals interested in volunteering must be 14 or older. Volunteer hours are eligible for service hours credibility. Volunteers can register at coralsprings.org/volunteer.
Fort Lauderdale
- Launching its latest exhibit, ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., is commemorating Earth Day with its “Changing Landscapes” art display. Available through Thursday, April 22, the environmentally-themed exhibit will focus on climate solutions and sustainability. The gallery hours include Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy a community display — “1,000 Ocean Memories” — which gives them the opportunity to contribute a memento of a favorite beach or ocean-related memory. The mementos will be displayed on the main wall at ArtServe through the “Changing Landscapes” exhibit. To submit a memento, visit artserve.org/portfolio-item/1000-ocean-memories/. The exhibit will also include virtual events available through the ArtServe Facebook Live page and Zoom. The virtual schedule includes “Connecting the Dots — How Farmland, Ranchland and Wetland Intersect at Lake Okeechobee” on Tuesday, April 20 at noon and “Artist Talk #2 with Exhibiting Artists” on Wednesday, April 28 at 3 p.m. Visit artserve.org/portfolio-item/changing-landscapes/.
- Join New York Times bestseller and Australian author/illustrator Andrew Joyner at the Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., on Wednesday, April 21 for a behind-the-scenes experience on his book, “Stand Up! Speak Up!: A story inspired by the Climate Change Revolution.” After his presentation, Joyner will demonstrate how individuals can also write, illustrate and publish their own “Stand Up! and Speak Up! mini-book. The event will run from 6 to 7 p.m. Materials required include a sheet of copy paper, scissors and utensils to draw with such as pencils and pens. To register, visit bit.ly/3uzEUuY.
- The sixth annual Heal the Planet Day is heading to Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 25. The free event will offer festivities for children and adults, including live music and health/wellness speakers. Children will be able to enjoy face painting, Yoga for Kids, singing bowls, a transformational art project and more. Individuals can visit the Grow Your Own Zone, which will include presentations on easy and efficient ways to grow their own food. Food trucks, as well as clothing and craft vendors, will be in attendance. Registration is required. Visit healtheplanet.com/heal-the-planet-day-2021-2/.
- Photographer Lisette Morales and friends will have a free virtual tour and Earth Day celebration of her new History Fort Lauderdale exhibition, “Beyond the Shimmering Waters,” at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 22. Morales’ work highlights women actively working to protect the rights of future generations on Earth. The exhibit includes female-identifying South Florida history makers from a variety of backgrounds. Special guest Lupita Vázquez Reyes, who is featured in the exhibit, will be on location from a community garden in Immokalee. To register, visit bit.ly/HFLEarthDayMorales2021. Free.
Promoting the protection of the environment, the city of Margate is having a Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Disposal event on Saturday, April 24 at the Oriole Park parking lot, 7055 NW First St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents will have the opportunity to safely dispose of household hazardous waste and shredding of sensitive documents for no cost. Hazardous waste items include paint cans, pool chemicals, compact fluorescent light bulbs, cleaners, oils, batteries or household pesticides. Any electronic item that has a plug or takes batteries is also eligible to be recycled. Individuals must show proof of Margate residency. Visit margatefl.com/hhw.
- Residents can join in on the city of Miramar’s “Watching Miramar Grow!” event on Thursday, April 22. Register to receive a free seedling kit to help the city’s initiative in planting more trees around the community. After receiving their kits, individuals are encouraged to share their progress on Instagram and Facebook using #EarthDayMiramar! Visit eventbrite.com/e/earth-day-tickets-147881679083.
- Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam is inviting residents to take part in the 10th annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The free drive-thru event will take place at the Multi Service Complex, 6700 Miramar Parkway, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24. Attendees will receive water conservation kits while children will receive goodies as well. In addition, there will be information on savings provided through Broward County. To register, visit bit.ly/2Rdzvvb.
- The Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, is having the “Our Planet | Our Future” environmental art exhibit until May 16. The multifaceted exhibit features works by local, national and international artists, designers, engineers, writers and architects. Visit miramarculturalcenter.org/1724/Cultural-Affairs.
Pembroke Pines
Families can gather their art supplies and visit the Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 to create something based on Paul Czajak’s book, “Trees Make Perfect Pets.” Once finishing, guests will be able to share their creations at the end of the program. To register, visit bit.ly/3fUCJ1c.
Pompano Beach
- The Latin American Art Pavilion is showing the “Somos Vida/We are Life” art exhibit at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., from April 9 to June 30. Addressing environmental issues such as overpopulation and recycling, artists will be paying a tribute to Earth Day. The Pompano Beach Cultural Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open for performances on Saturday and Sunday. Visit pompanobeacharts.org/cc and latinamericanartpavilion.com/.
- Green Market Pompano Beach, which is now at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., is continuing its tradition of providing the community with fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, local honey, seafood and other products. The market will be hosting a special Earth Day event on Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Along with its usual festivities, individuals can learn how to support the environment during the market’s Earth Day event. Parking is available at City Hall as well as on the south side of the Cultural Center and Library campus. Masks, social distancing and one-way foot traffic will be enforced throughout the event. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov.
Sunrise
- The Sunrise Dan Pearl Branch Library, 10500 W. Oakland Park Blvd., is giving individuals the chance to join librarians Sheldon and Victoria on Thursday, April 22 as they discuss different ways to make homes more sustainable. The event will run from noon to 1 p.m. Register at bit.ly/3dJ1SsZ.
- Offering a fun and educational experience for residents, the city of Sunrise will be having its Green to Go drive-thru event on Saturday, April 10 at the Sunrise Sportsplex, 9101 NW 50th St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event will provide a goodie bag of green giveaways, including a flowering plant for each vehicle. Items will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Participants, who will be directed to enter from Pine Island Road, can listen to recorded audio, broadcasted from the vehicle’s radio, to break down the event’s educational displays. Visit bit.ly/3uBlW7w.
Weston
Residents can celebrate Earth Day by picking up and taking home a craft bag from the Weston Branch Library, 4205 Bonaventure Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 22. Craft bags will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The event is sponsored by the Weston Friends of the Library. Visit broward.libnet.info/event/5026008.
Miami-Dade
Miami
The Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., is celebrating Earth Day with its “City of Trash” performance on Saturday, April 24 at 11 a.m. Streaming live via Zoom, the virtual puppet show will be followed by an interactive workshop, allowing members of the audience to build their own puppets using pieces of trash and found objects. Only one ticket reservation is required per household. A Zoom conference call link will be emailed to registered individuals within 24 hours of the performance. Visit bit.ly/3wGwJyM.
Palm Beach
Boca Raton
From live animal encounters to interactive activities, the Daggerwing Nature Center, 11435 Park Access Road, is offering an array of free Earth Day festivities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24. Guests can also enjoy the butterfly plant sale, ladybug release as well as other activities. Some of the festivities will include a minimal cash or check donation to Friends of Daggering Nature Center. Reservations are not required. Visit discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Pages/Daggerwing.aspx.
Boynton Beach
- Learn about the causes of the climate crisis, what it means for Florida and what can be done about it during “Virtual talk – What the climate crisis means for Florida” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 presented on Zoom by high school student Kira Lichtenfeld. In addition to being passionate about climate change mitigation and ocean conservation, she is a trained Climate Reality Leader, CLEO Institute Certified Climate Speaker and President of the Marine Conservation Club at her school. Register at bit.ly/39QSdiZ.
- A total of 200 native and fruit trees will be distributed to city of Boynton Beach residents on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 17 at the Ezell Hester, Jr. Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd. The Drive-Thru Earth Day Celebration will also feature eco-friendly giveaways and Earth Day-themed music. Visit boynton-beach.org/earth-day-2021.
- The city has collaborated with nonprofits aZul for Better Living and Sea Turtle Adventures to dress up 12 trees in sustainable recycled fabrics with floral patterns. Adults with special needs are able to express their artistic talents while bringing awareness to nature and the trees with the program. Everyone is invited to take photos and share them through social media with #GoGreenBoynton. Participants will be placed in a drawing to win a $20 gift card to a Go Green Business program participant in and around downtown Boynton Beach. Nine trees are along East Ocean Avenue from City Hall to Federal Highway. One oak tree is in the playground behind Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E. Ocean Ave. Two oak trees are outside the Ezell Hester Jr. Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd. Visit GoGreenBoynton.com.
- Throughout April, Boynton Beach Mayor Steven B. Grant is joining mayors across the country for the 10th Anniversary of the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation by asking residents to make the pledge to manage water resources in their homes, reduce pollution and save energy. Residents can win $3,000 toward their home utility payments, water-saving fixtures and other prizes. A charity from a winning city will receive a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Visit mywaterpledge.com to participate.
- Make and Take Craft projects include recycled plastic bottle planters and seed bombs April 19-30 at the Boynton City Library, 100 E. Ocean Ave. Visit the library to pick up supplies to turn used plastic water bottles into a flower garden. Craft a “seed bomb” packed with sunflower seeds to grow at home. Also search the library’s shelves on a scavenger hunt to learn more about native plants and pollinators. Call 561-742-6390.
- The Boynton Beach Mall, 801 N. Congress Ave., will plant a tree outside the east main entrance near the food court on Thursday, April 22 in partnership with BrightView Landscaping to celebrate Earth Day. The tree will be dedicated to Boynton Beach’s essential employees who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. A KidX Earth Day Celebration crafting event will take place at the mall from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium will be sharing its Pollinating Plants and Flower Dissection lab in which kids will learn the best ways to grow flowers and plants by conducting a seed bomb experiment. Participants are invited to stop at the Boynton Beach Mall table to pick up a free goody bag of Earth Day crafts while supplies last. Parents are encouraged to register their children for the KidX Club before the event to avoid filling out an application on paper. Parents can register at bit.ly/31XseC8. Visit boyntonbeachmall.com.
Delray Beach
- The city is celebrating Earth Day all month with the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Residents can take the pledge to save on water and energy at mywaterpledge.com. The first 50 residents to sign a pledge can receive a free water conservation kit from the city’s Utilities Department by emailing a screenshot of the completed pledge to [email protected]. The kit includes a low-flow showerhead, aerators, and other tools to save water and money at home. Residents in winning cities are eligible to win additional prizes, including money toward their home utility bill and a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for their favorite charity. Participants can also earn points through Wyland’s My Volunteer Water Project at wylandfoundation.ecochallenge.org/.
- Community Greening and the Delray Beach Parks & Recreation Department are giving out 200 free trees on Saturday, April 24 at the Community Center, 50 NW First Ave. Trees available include slash pine, gumbo limbo, pigeon plum, Barbados cherry, jackfruit, mango and avocado. Reserved trees may be picked up from 10 to 11 a.m., and from 11 a.m. to noon, trees can be picked up on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a tree, visit bit.ly/39SaagR. The city has the goal to plant 10,000 trees by 2025. Email [email protected] or call 561-927-8733.
Wellington
Earth Day and Arbor Day will be celebrated together in the village from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at Wellington’s Town Center Promenade, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. Events planned include a tree planting with Village Council; free seedlings and native shrubs; a free raffle for a tree in a 15-gallon container; recycling, composting and respecting the Earth learning opportunities; a proper tree-pruning demonstration; and vendors, including the Wellington Tree Board and Garden Club. Admission is free. Masks and social distancing are required.
