Friday, April 22, 2016 is the 46th annual Earth Day. Here are some fun ways to celebrate in Austin!
Wild Basin Earth Day Celebration – Friday, April 22 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. All day long, stop by the the visitor center before hiking the trails for a photo booth, FREE giveaways, and a kid-friendly scavenger hunt. FREE! Wild Basin Creative Research Center, 805 N Capital of Texas Highway, Austin.
Give 5% to Mother Earth Day – Friday, April 22. Give 5% to Mother Earth is an annual Earth Day campaign that raises funds and awareness for local environmental nonprofits working to protect and preserve our natural resources in Central Texas. Give 5 partners with more than 100 local businesses who pledge to donate 5% of sales on Earth Day – Friday, April 22nd – to Give 5’s 9 nonprofit beneficiaries, each of which is working to keep Austin clean, green, and healthy. This year’s benefiting nonprofits include: Hill Country Conservancy, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Austin Parks Foundation, Sustainable Food Center, Waller Creek Conservancy, Pease Park Conservancy, Treefolks, Friends of Barton Springs Pool, and Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund. By patronizing Give 5’s generous business partners on Earth Day, Austinites are helping to support these amazing causes. Find a full list of participating businesses here.
Earth Day Live – Friday, April 22 from 3-9:30 p.m. Join Hill Country Conservancy and Sun Radio in celebrating Earth Day underneath the oak trees at Guero’s. Enjoy some of the best Americana bands from around Austin coming together for an incredible evening of music, margaritas, and merriment. Suggested donation: $10. Guero’s Taco Bar, 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin.
Nature’s Treasures Earth Day Celebration – Friday, April 22 from 3-6:00 p.m. Locally owned Nature’s Treasures is celebrating the launch of their new online store, CrystalsByNature.com, with a community celebration for Earth Day. The celebration will include a presentation at 3:30 p.m. to showcase the features of the online store, along with prizes, activities, swag bags and refreshments. RSVP is requested here. Nature’s Treasures Community Event Center, 4103 North Interstate 35, (between 38 1/2 & Airport), Austin.
Kids’ Day of Service – Friday, April 22 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Whole Foods Market is partnering with Shoal Creek Conservancy for a kid-friendly Earth Day event! Upon arrival, volunteers will be tasked with making seed balls and distributing them on the Native Habitat Restoration Site along the Shoal Creek trail or walking north and south along the trail for trash pick up and creek clean up. RSVP is required, but the event is FREE and all ages welcome! Parking lot at the north end of Pease Park, 2606 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin.
Save the Earth Day Weekend (Buda) – Friday, April 22 from 4-11:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 23 from Noon to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 24 from 5-7:00 p.m. Celebrate the environment with great music, great food, a great atmosphere, and unbeatable beer samplings (21+). A fun-fun-fundraiser, attendees will have an opportunity to donate to one of the world’s most efficient, global environmental solutions if they choose. Venue is family friendly, so bring the kiddos and get ready to rock in the name of Mama Earth. Admission is FREE! Tavern on Main, 116 N Main St, Buda.
Nobelity Project Earth Day Bike Party – Friday, April 22 from from 5-7:00 p.m. It’s a block party for Earth lovers and bike lovers! Ping Pong, unicycle races, and live music from John Pointer, Los Aztex, and Joel Guzman help raise money for bikes and books for students in Kenya. The party is FREE! Bicycle Sport Shop, 517 S. Lamar, Austin
Healthy People, Healthy Planet Earth Day Event – Friday, April 22 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Bailey Middle School is hosting the Healthy People, Healthy Planet Earth Day Event to spread the importance of healthy living as well as preventing obesity in conjunction with supporting a healthy environment. The event will offer healthy food options, as well as entertaining sporting events for the whole family, including a bike rodeo, bike races, and a bike-powered outdoor screening of Wall-E. Bailey Middle School, 4020 Lost Oasis Hollow, Austin.
Hot Science – Cool Talks: How a Salamander Saved a City – Friday, April 22 from 5:45-8:15 p.m. How are endangered species discovered? How can they save a city? Dr. David Hillis, Professor of Integrative Biology at UT-Austin, will share the history and politics of how the Barton Springs salamander was discovered and recognized as an endangered species. A Community Science Fair filled with engaging activities for the whole family will precede Dr. Hillis’s presentation. FREE! Welch Hall (UT-Austin campus), 105 E 24th St, Austin.
Austin Nature Day – Saturday, April 23 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Observe the signs of Spring: see what the buzz is about at the bee exhibit; uncover hidden surprises using GPS units; discover pond life with microscopes; craft toys for the animals from recycled materials; and investigate eggs and the animals that hatch from them. Plus, you can attend the Texas Nature Challenge Opening Ceremony while you’re there. FREE! Austin Nature & Science Center, 2389 Stratford Dr, Austin.
Earth Day Austin – Saturday, April 23 from 12-7:00 p.m. There will be 150+ exhibitors, hands-on activities for kids and adults, inspiring speakers, and delicious food available for purchase. Be in the record-breaking aerial photo emceed by Mayor Adler. Enjoy live performances by Asleep at the Wheel, Ruby Jane, Sweet Spirit, Riders Against the Storm, and more. Admission is FREE! Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin.
Afternoon in the Garden: Faeries, Pollinators, and Their Flowers – Sunday, April 24 from 1-4:00 p.m. Play a fun matching game linking unique faeries with their specific plant allies. Plant extraordinary flowers that attract faeries, pollinators, and support wildlife. Learn about the healing and mystical qualities of plants and their allies. Family friendly and FREE with garden admission ($1 for ages 3-12; $2 for ages 13-61, Austin resident; $3 for ages 13-61, non-resident; $1 for age 62+) Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
