Earth Day 2021
Earth Day 2021 is April 22, and this year marks the 51st anniversary of this celebration. While this year may find us at home practicing social distancing and self-isolation to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), there are still many ways to celebrate and support our planet.
Use this website as a resource to help you: Learn about the Earth, Do Projects at Home, Embrace the Outdoors, and Evaluate Your Home Habits. If you have questions, or need more information, please contact the City of Irvine Environmental Programs team at 949-724-7669. And be sure to sign up for the Environmental Programs quarterly e-newsletter to keep up to date on the City's sustainability programs.
How to Celebrate Earth Day 2021
Virtual Earth Day Events:
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A healthy planet is not just an option -- it's a necessity. Help protect our environment by promising to perform Earth-friendly acts to conserve our valuable resources and reduce pollution. Take the City of Irvine's Pledge to Restore our Earth by completing at least seven activities which will help protect our world. For a seamless experience, please use Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox when completing this pledge form.
- National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation - April 1-30
- Virtual Conference on Sustainability & Social Responsibility - April 1
- Green Ribbon Environmental Committee Meeting - April 14
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Drive Electric Earth Day Webinar - April 20
Watch the Webinar Recording - Irvine Ranch Water District Community Meeting on Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project- April 21
- Rooftop Solar Everything You Need to Know Before Going Solar- April 21
- Earth Day - April 22
- Virtual Compost Class - April 23
- Irvine Ranch Water District Michelson Water Recycling Plant Virtual Tour - April 28
Learn about the Earth
Make Every Day Earth Day
Do your part this Earth Day by taking small steps each day, which can lead to big changes overtime. Find easy-to-follow Earth Day tips from Irvine's Environmental Programs here.
Stay Educated at Home
Visit earthday.org to learn more about this year’s digital movement, Earth Rise, and download the 2021 Teach-In Tool Kit to educate yourself and family this Earth Day.
Learn about Our Local Habitat
The Irvine Open Space Preserve is home to a vast amount of native plants and animals unique to our habitat. We may be indoors, but you can still learn about the open space with free field guides from Irvine Ranch Conservancy, a nonprofit which partners with the City to manage these protected lands. Find field guides on native animals, plants, wildflowers, and more at letsgooutside.org/about.
Make Nature Fun for the Kids
The Environmental Nature Center is bringing the Earth's wonders right to you through your computer screen! Take virtual field trips; subscribe to their YouTube channel for fun and informative videos; and enjoy live streams of their butterfly house, reptiles, birds, and more. Learn more at encenter.org.
Do Projects at Home
Compost from Home
Sprinkle used coffee grounds around your plants, plant new seedlings in eggshells, and more. Learn more tips at earthday.org.
While you are staying at home, the City of Irvine is bringing composting tips to you. Learn how to recycle your food and yard waste into garden gold to both nourish your garden and help the environment. Join our Free Virtual Class on April 23rd or watch our free online class, Composting Made Easy, and start your composting journey today.
Interested in composting but you don't have the space? No problem. Try Vermicomposting, or worm composting, which recycles food waste in a small container, and no yard or yard waste needed. Watch our video to learn simple worm composting techniques and start producing a nutrient-rich organic plant food called Black Gold today.
Earth Challenge 2021
Become a citizen scientist! Gather important data in your own backyard and neighborhood, and then share this information with fellow citizen scientists to help the planet become healthier and cleaner. Learn more at earthday.org/take-action-now and wilsoncenter.org.
Search for Backyard Bugs
Get outside and learn about natural enemies of garden pests! Use this flier from the UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County, and explore your backyard or neighborhood to identify insects that are good for your garden.
Embrace Your Green Thumb
Tend to your garden, and plant some pollinator-friendly flowers in your yard. Pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees are essential for plant reproduction, and make for a pretty sight in your garden as well. Learn a few tips at nrdc.org.
Embrace the Outdoors
Get Outdoors
Take a walk in your neighborhood or do yoga in your backyard. Make sure to practice social distancing and maintain 6 feet of space between individuals, and to follow federal guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. Find ideas on staying active for adults and kids at cityofirvine.org/virtual.
Virtually Visit National Parks
Appreciate the vast natural wonders of the world even while at home through virtual tours of national parks including Arches, Chanel Islands, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. Find a complete list at cityofirvine.org/virtual.
Evaluate Your Home Habits
Change Daily Routines
Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to energy conservation and recycling efforts. Make sure to turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth, close the refrigerator door, and turn lights off when you leave the room. Trade in your plastic bags for reusable Tupperware, and sort cans and bottles to recycle. Learn more at energy.gov/energysaver.
Live Sustainably
Learn ways to reduce your water use and food waste, recycle more, decrease your household carbon footprint, and more at epa.gov.
Save Energy at Home
There are many unique ways to save energy at home you might not think of, such as closing blinds to keep out afternoon heat or cooking with a grill to keep your home cooler. Learn more at sce.com.
Recycle Right
Honor the Earth by recycling at home! Check out Waste Management's guide to recycling, including basic rules to follow and common recycling myths, at wm.com.
Use Water Efficiently
Get the latest news on water efficiency and the steps you can take while at home more to save water from Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD). Find a variety of resources at RightScape.com and the IRWD watering schedule here.