charlotte area earth day events

EARTH DAY 2023 INVESTING IN OUR PLANET

by Sandra Yeyati

This year’s Earth Day theme—Invest in Our Planet—reminds us that it is not enough to merely celebrate our ancestral home for one day. We are called upon to dedicate our time, money and talents year-round to ensure a sustaining and just world for generations to come. The motto also calls attention to the economic realities and opportunities of the climate crisis. It is no wonder that EarthDay.org, the global organizer of this annual event, decided to keep the same theme as last year, thus underscoring a continuing need to bring global economies together in harmony with the environment.

“In 2023, we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous and equitable future. We

must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to invest in our planet,” advises EarthDay.org President Kathleen Rogers.

Surmounting the climate crisis is within reach if we all take action. The time is right for innovators to bring planet-saving ideas to market, and for consumers to stop supporting brands that are socially and environmentally irresponsible—instead, spending money with businesses that take the Earth’s future seriously.

In the voting booth, citizens have the power to elect leaders that will help build a green economy through regulations, incentives and partnerships with the private sector. We can press our congressional representatives to support clean energy jobs and move away from the doomed fossil fuel economy.

There are many ways to make a difference in our daily lives, too. We can eat sustainable foods, pick up trash while on a run, participate in beach cleanups, reduce our use of plastic, write our representative, switch to solar power, take reusable bags to the grocery store, drive an electric vehicle, compost, go pesticide-free, plant a pollinator garden, support local farmers, eat less meat, purchase secondhand clothing, use environmentally friendly cleaning products, turn off lights when not in use, take shorter showers and so much more. Learn about all of the ways to make a difference at EarthDay.org.

This year, join one of the empowering events here in Charlotte and meet planet-loving people that are ready to push up their sleeves, vote with their pocketbooks and dedicate their time to a healthy, equitable and prosperous future on Earth.

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Matthews Earth Day with Kids in Nature – 10am-1pm. Earth-wise focused exhibitors. Activities including bird house building, nature walks, scavenger hunt, catch and release fishing, nature crafts and hands-on nature exhibits. Limited rain barrel giveaway. Free. Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Rd, Matthews. www.HAWKncwf.org.

Charlotte Earth Day 2023 – 10am-3pm. An interactive, science based, theatrically presented family learning celebration oriented for students 5-15yrs. Explore the ecosystems of the Earth as if it were a Spaceship. Free. First Ward Park, 301 E 7th St, Charlotte. www.CharlotteEarthDay.com.

Earth Jam 2023 – 4-7pm. Enjoy free "green" activities including crafts, demonstrations, wildlife habitat improvements, nature walks, live bands and more. Free. Robbins Park, 17738 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius. www.Cornelius.org/282/Earth-Jam.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

Earth Day Celebration at Myers Park Library – 5-6pm. For school-age and preteens. Make a miniature garden in a mason jar. Materials provided. Free. Registration required. 1361 Queens Rd, Charlotte. www.cmlibrary.org, click on events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

Ballantyne Earth Day Shredding & Recycling Drive – 8am-12pm. Donate electronics and securely shred documents in celebration of Earth Day. Free. Parking lot adjacent to Brixham Park, 15801 Brixham Hill Ave, Charlotte. www.GoBallantyne.com.

Earth Day Celebration at ASCG (April 21-23 ) – Come try Anne Springs Close Greenway’s most popular recreational programs such as kayaking, archery, horseback riding, hiking and more during our favorite weekend of the year. Admission and most activities free. $5 parking nonmembers. 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. www.bit.ly/ASCGearthday2023.

Flutter by Earth Day – 3-5pm. Familyfriendly fun and educational day. Arts & crafts, activities, plus learn more about local environmental and sustainable practices. Free. JW McGee, Jr Park, 219 Corbin Ave E, Concord. www.concordnc.gov.

Ballantyne Earth Day Movie Night –5-9pm. Enjoy a family-friendly movie night in Ballantyne’s Backyard. $10. 11611 N Community House Rd. www.GoBallantyne.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Root Chakra Earth Day Retreat (also April 23) – 9am-3pm. In honor of the Earth and connecting/grounding with Earth’s energy. Enjoy group reiki, vibrational Tibetan singing bowls, gentle yoga, group share, and a light lunch on 15-acre farm in Randolph County. $444 per person, group discounts available. Registration required. Siler City address provided upon registration. www.RootSourceWellness.com.

Great American Cleanup Event at Windsor Park Elementary – 9am-12pm. Each year, Keep Charlotte Beautiful’s board and volunteers’ partner with a park or school to conduct a major beautification project. Join us in helping to green the Queen City. Free. Registration required. Windsor Park Elementary, 3910 Sudbury Rd, Charlotte. www.signupgenius.com/ go/70a0d45a8ae28a1f49-great#/.

Backyard Streambank Conservation Earth Day Event– 9:30am-12:30pm. Hands-on workshop to learn the basics of streambank repair and impacts of stream erosion with expert instructors. Free. Registration required. Agriculture Center, 3230 Presson Rd, Monroe. www.unioncountync.gov.

Sustain Charlotte Earth Day Greenway Walk & Stream Clean – 10am. Sustain Charlotte hosts a greenway walk and stream clean along the Campbell Creek Greenway in East Charlotte. Equipment is provided. Free. Registration required. Campbell Creek Greenway — meet at Hindu Center of Charlotte, 7400 City View Dr, Charlotte. www.SustainCharlotte.org/earth_day_stream_clean.

Earth Day - Invasive Plant Removal –10am-12pm. Charlotte Wildlife Stewards is teaming up with NC Native Plant Society and Wild Ones Charlotte to remove English ivy, privet, kudzu, and other invasive plants. Free. Registration required. Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary Greenway, 2656 Laburnum Ave, Charlotte. Carpooling encouraged. www.bit.ly/3ly2rgO.

Earth Day in Davidson – 10am-1pm. Join us for a fun day of sustainable activities, environmentally-themed booths, learning passport for kids, food, eco-friendly prizes, music and more. Free. Davidson Town Green, 119 S Main St, Davidson. www.townofdavidson.org/693/Town-Events.

Flower Power at The Schiele – 10am-4pm. Celebrate Earth Day at The Schiele! Get gardening tips, visit live farm animals, enjoy hands-on crafts, and hike the Nature Trail. Groovy dress encouraged. $8 per person. The Schiele Museum Farm, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. www.SchieleMuseum.org.

Earth Day at Organic Marketplace –10am-4pm. Join our celebration and enjoy store discounts, raffles, vendor samples, gift baskets, giveaways and more. Free. 1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia. www.OrganicMarketplaceNC.com.

Earth Day at The Gateway Trail – 11am3pm. Butterfly release, petting zoo, upcycle artisans, enchanted forest and dinosaur experience and debut of new playground. Free. Kings Mountain Gateway Trail, 807 S Battleground Ave, Kings Mountain. 704730-2101, www.kingsmountainevents.com.

Customer Appreciation Day 2023 at Mama Bessie’s Place – 11am-5pm. We give gratitude to our loyal customers on Earth Day. Doorbuster 11am-12noon 20%, 10% off storewide all day! Additional discounts on selected specimen crystals. Free gift with purchase. Free. 3010 Monroe Rd, Ste 104, Charlotte. Visit us on Facebook, email mamabessiesplace@yahoo.com or call 704-632-9911.

Earth Day Fashion Show – 1:30pm. Models will show their up cycled, recycled, repurposed, sustainable, eco-friendly clothing. Starts at $30. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville. www.charlotteseen.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

Make Everyday Earth Day! – 10am-2pm. Stop by the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market and get up close to a beehive with all bees safely inside the cage, learn about the benefits of vermiculture with a live worm display, enjoy games and kids activities, plus shop for locally produced goods and produce. Free. 1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte. Visit us on FaceBook or call 704-357-1269.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27

2023 Sustain Charlotte Awards– 6-9pm. Join us for a night of dinner, inspiring stories and awards highlighting the achievements of local sustainability leaders and the issues that shape the sustainability of our region. $125 per person. The Ruth by Beau Monde, 2122 Thrift Rd, Unit C, Charlotte. www.SustainCharlotte.org/events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

Shred/Earth Day Event 2023 – 8am-12pm. Bring up to 3 banker boxes of documents to shred. Goodwill Dell Reconnect also accepting desktops, laptops, accessories, monitors, printers, cameras, mobile phones, etc. Free. Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E Long Ave, Gastonia. www.CityofGastonia.com/the-events.

Garibaldi Festival 2023 – 12-10pm. Join us for a celebration of Arbor Day, view newly planted Angel Oak Tree, vendors and more. Free. Stowe Park, 24 S Main St, Belmont. www.cityofbelmont.org/communityevents/.