This year marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Slowly, in-person events are coming back, in safe ways, and we will add them here as they’re announced.

But please also read on for some ways to celebrate Earth Day in other ways.

Celebrate Earth Day

Durham Earth Day Celebration

Durham Parks and Recreation’s Earth Day Celebration will be a drive-in event this year. It will take place April 24th, 2021, in the parking lot of Durham County Memorial Stadium. It will be in three time slots. It’s free to attend, but you need to pre-register for a time slot. Registration starts March 26th. At the celebration there will be live music, conservation talks, food trucks and paper shredding. You can also just drop off paper for shredding without attending the celebration, but you need to register for your time slot for that as well. Find information about Durham’s 2021 Earth Day Celebration.

Earth Day Fly-Thru at Piedmont Wildlife Center

Piedmont Wildlife Center, at 364 Leigh Farm Road, in Durham, connects people and nature through outdoor camps, school programs and more. On Thursday, April 22nd, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. they’re hosting a drive-thru event where you can meet raptors, snakes, turtles and more, up close, from your car. It’s free, but donations are appreciated. $10 is suggested.

Triangle Land Conservancy Celebrations

Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Week with Triangle Land Conservancy, an organization that works to safeguard clean water and natural habitats. Triangle Land Conservancy’s Earth Week events take place from April 19th to 24th, 2021, and include hikes, walks, and more. See the events here.

Earth Day at Crabtree Valley Mall

Crabtree Valley Mall is hosting virtual Earth Day activities on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021, from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kids will meet a mermaid princess, and enjoy an interactive storytime, sing-along, drawing, dancing and more, all with an “earth and sea” focus. Follow the above link for the zoom link.

Earth Day Hikes at NC State Parks

Several State Parks in and near the Triangle are hosting free guided hikes. All require advance registration.

Wake Forest HerbFest

This annual event is the longest running herb festival in the United States. Stop by 310 South White Street in Wake Forest to shop for herbs, vegetables and perennials. There will also be live music and live painting. Friday to Saturday April 30th to May 2nd, and May 7th to May 9th. Details about HerbFest.

Tree Seedling Giveaway in Wake Forest

Wake Forest residents can order five free tree seedlings. The seedlings are Dogwood and White Oak. You have until April 13th, 2021, to order the seedlings.

Lowe’s SpringFest

All April, Lowe’s is celebrating spring by giving away garden kits. Registration for each giveaway starts one week before the event, and supplies are limited. You’ll pick up the garden kit curbside at Lowe’s.
The giveaways:

April 8th: Garden-to-Go kit sponsored by Miracle-Gro with exclusive recipes from professional cook and food stylist Amanda Frederickson
April 15th: Lowe’s Mystery Garden Piñata with mystery seed packets
April 22nd: 500,000 tree saplings given out in honor of Earth Day
April 29th: Lowe’s Butterfly Quest, which helps families create a butterfly garden

Learn about Lowe’s SpringFest.

City Nature Challenge

Every year, the City Nature Challenge has people taking pictures of wild plants and animals, to help document biodiversity around the globe. Take and share pictures from April 30th to May 3rd and share through the iNaturalist app. Learn more about participating.

Virtual Piedmont Earth Day Fair

Piedmont Environmental Alliance is taking their Earth Day Fair online. From April 19th to April 23rd, 2021, they will be streaming events on making an upcycled bird feeder, creating an insect motel, patio gardening for beginners, backyard chickens for beginners, and more. See the schedule and register here.

Start a Garden

Learn about some garden centers in the Triangle that offer delivery or curbside pickup and get some tips for getting started with a garden.

Grow Some Memories–Earth Day Mini Garden

Help kids make mini-gardens out of recycled plastic bags, fabric scraps and ribbons. Fill each DIY satchel with a half cup of soil and wildflower seeds. Kids can then scatter their garden-to-go in the backyard or a soil-filled container, water frequently, and watch flowers bloom through the summer.
Instructions

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

Teach the kids about recycling by reusing toilet paper rolls for a fun craft. All it takes is a little peanut butter, bird seed, a couple of sticks from the yard and some string.
Instructions