Each year, Earth Day—April 22—marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement.
Since its inaugural celebration in 1970, the movement has grown to more than one billion people in 192 countries around the world — and in Brooklyn.
The idea for a national day to focus on the environment came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. In an effort to fuel an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution and to force environmental protection onto the national political agenda, he organized the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. The campaign activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and launched the modern environmental movement, paving the way for the passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws.
Today, Earth Day has become the largest secular observance in the world, a day of action that changes human behavior and provokes policy changes. BK Reader compiled a list of activities and events to celebrate Earth Day in Central Brooklyn.
Earth Day Block Party in Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn is going car-free on Saturday, April 27, to celebrate Earth Day with a block party and a slew of earth-friendly events. Activities range from bike lessons to sewing classes, tree giveaways, screen printing reusable tote bags with artists from BRIC and live music with the Wollesonics, a marching band made up of homemade, repurposed 9(!) Instruments.
The celebration is part of NYC DOT's annual Car Free Earth Day, with which the agency closes streets in each of the five boroughs to offer educational environmental programming on the importance of sustainability, tackling climate change and promoting the use of streets as public space. So bring your bike, your roller skates, and your deck chairs and enjoy Car Free NYC! For more details, go here.
When: Saturday, April 27, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Where: Albee Square Plaza and Albee Square West, between Fulton St. and Willoughby St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
How much: Free!
Wyckoff Farmhouse Earth Day Celebration
Reconnect with the Earth at the Wyckoff House, where Brooklynites will be learning how to care for plants and trees in honor of Earth Day. Arrive early to receive a tree from the New York Restoration Project as part of their annual Tree Giveaway. Afterward, families can explore the historic farm and create a seed art activity, and join in for a special community seed exchange: Wyckhoff House we'll be welcoming seeds from your garden that they can grow, as well as offering seeds from the farm to take home.
You can also explore the historic farmhouse and garden, try your hand at historic toys and games, and scavenger hunts will be available. For more information, go here.
When: Saturday, April 27, 11:00am to 3:00pm; the Tree Giveaway begins at 11:00am and the seed art activity at 1:00pm.
Where: 5816 Clarendon Road, Brooklyn, NY 11203
How much: Free. But RSVPs are recommended.
Earth Day Celebration in Prospect Park
Join Prospect Park Alliance and community partners for their annual Earth Day Celebration at the Prospect Park Audubon Center! This year, the environmental extravaganza focuses this year on protecting Prospect Park's beloved animal species.
Earth Day attendees will enjoy arts and crafts, an insect discovery hike, a spring migration bird walk, catch-and-release fishing and of course nature games throughout this jam-packed afternoon of activities, all set to the funky tunes of a live DJ! Go here, for a complete list of events.
When: Sunday, April 28, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Prospect Park Boathouse + Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225
How much: Free! To RSVP, go here.
Earth Rocks! Festival at Brooklyn Children's Museum
This spring break, Brooklyn Children's Museum is hosting Earth Rocks!, a celebration of Earth's rockstar status, to help kids discover how they can become responsible stewards of our planet.
From Friday, April 19, through Sunday, April 28, Brooklyn families can celebrate our awe-inspiring planet by exploring its ecosystems, resources and superpowers through art-making, animal encounters, science demos and live music.
Throughout Earth Rocks! kids can join the museum for gardening workshops, honeybee-inspired art projects, a look at BCM's collection of fluorescent minerals and investigations into the dramatic power of volcanos complete with an explosive, lava-tastic demonstration! For more details and schedules, go here.
When: Friday, April 19 - Sunday, April 28
Where: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213
How much: $11. For tickets, go here.
