On the first Earth Day in 1970, communities across America came together to celebrate and restore the natural environment. This set the stage for the modern environmental movement. Earth Day is now the largest community service event celebrated globally with 192 countries participating.
This year’s Earth Day Theme is “People vs. Plastics.” Local organizations are putting together events that bring awareness to the health and environmental risks that come from plastic pollution.
Earth Day officially takes place on Monday, April 22, but local environmental groups, schools, neighborhood groups, and the city of Oakland are observing Earth Day on Saturday, April 20. To help people know about opportunities to learn or volunteer, we put together a list of some Earth Day events. If you know of any major events we haven’t included, send us the information and we’ll consider updating this post.
The city of Oakland
The city has an interactive map where prospective volunteers can explore events taking place across Oakland. The city’s Earth Day activities run the gamut from trash cleanups and graffiti removal to habitat restoration, painting, and trail improvement. The map features events put on by the city itself as well as some hosted by local organizations. Prospective volunteers can pre-register for city-run events by filling out a volunteer form. Some sites receive more volunteers than others so if you plan to attend with a large party, the city advises you to contact the event coordinator beforehand. If you can’t make it out to an event on the 20th, the city has put together a list of Earth Day-inspired activities and resources that you can get inspiration from throughout the year.
All day April 20, 2024, events are taking place across the city of Oakland, register here.
East Bay Regional Park District
Cleanup and restoration events will be taking place at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Hayward Regional Shoreline, Coyote Hills Regional Park, Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Redwood Regional Park, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, Don Castro Regional Recreation Area, Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, and Big Break Regional Shoreline. The district is also hosting a Wood Duck Box Service where volunteers can help study wood duck nests, count eggs, and collect data. Registration for this event is required and the district recommends bringing a water bottle, PPE, and any preferred tools or equipment, such as masks and gloves.
Saturday, April 10, 2024 and Saturday April 20, 2024, locations, times and registration requirements vary by event.
Oakland Zoo
The Oakland Zoo is celebrating Earth Day by setting up booths throughout the Zoo with partners from conservation groups and local environmental organizations, arts and crafts tables, and hosting musical performances. Non-Oakland Zoo members will need to register ahead of time to attend.
No registration is required for Oakland Zoo members, advanced ticket registration is required for non-members, ticket prices differ depending on the number zoo attendees on a given day. Oakland residents receive a 25 % discount.
I Heart Oakland Alameda Estuary
If you like water sports and are looking for a new way to participate in this year’s Earth Day, I Heart Oakland Alameda Estuary is hosting a cleanup with an “on the water” option. Participants can choose to join land crews to pick up trash along the shores of Estuary Park, Jack London Aquatic Center, and other locations, or they can join water-based crews to kayak or stand-up paddleboard to get to hard-to-reach cleanup locations. Participants in the “on the water” group can bring their own watercraft or rent discounted equipment through California Canoe & Kayak. Organizers say this is a “long haul” event, so participants can expect a long day of physically demanding cleaning. They recommend volunteers wear sturdy shoes that protect their feet, bring sun protective equipment, and dress in layers. Clean-up supplies will be provided.
April 20, 2024, 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. starting at Jack London Aquatic Center, register in advance, waivers required when signing into the event.
Friends of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
Friends of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park are hosting a cleanup at the park in celebration of Earth Day. Participants will clean and beautify the San Francisco Bay. Morning snacks, lunch and prizes will be provided with help from the Port of Oakland. Event organizers ask that attendees register in advance to make sure there is enough food and drinks to go around.
April 20, 2024, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, RSVP to event organizers by April 17, waivers are required prior to attendance or on the day.
Friends of Raimondi Park
Friends of Raimondi Park are inviting volunteers to help them clean up litter around the park’s sports fields and playground in West Oakland. No equipment is necessary and water, snacks, and coffee will be provided.
April 20, 2024, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., register in advance to let organizers know you’re coming.
Keep Oakland Beautiful
Keep Oakland Beautiful, MARK’s Artisans, and Urban Compassion Project are asking Oakland community members to join them at the Lake Merritt Bandstand on April 20. Participants will be provided equipment to help pick up litter around the lake. There will also be lunch provided by C’era Una Volta.
April 20, 2024, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m, at the Lake Merritt Bandstand, register in advance.
Friends of Sausal Creek
The local watershed stewardship group Friends of Sausal Creek is looking for volunteers for its array of Earth Day activities. Restoration opportunities for people with a range of skill levels are available along the path of the creek, including events taking place at Barry Place, Dimond Park and Dimond Canyon, Montclair Railroad Trail, Beaconsfield Canyon, and Wood Park. Regardless of the event, participants should wear sun protection, layers, long pants, and sturdy shoes.
April 20, 2024, time and location vary by event as do registration and RSVP requirements.
Redwood Heights Association
Join local community organization Redwood Heights Association to spruce up the Redwood Heights Park. Activities will include expanding their butterfly garden, creating a space for native grasses, and cleaning up existing plant life. Make sure to bring gloves, a hat, and your gardening equipment. Refreshments will be available for all participants.
April 20, 2024, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Redwood Heights Park, sign-up here.
Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corp.
Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corp. in partnership with Better Neighborhoods, Same Neighbors is hosting a Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Earth Day event and barbecue. Volunteers will meet at Kingfisher Picnic Area and work to try to plant 100 trees during the event. After the planting is done, community members can enjoy a barbecue to celebrate their hard work.
April 20, 2024, event starts at 1 p.m., barbecue begins at 4 p.m., Kingfisher Picnic Area.
Chabot Space and Science Center
Spend some time learning about local organizations fighting against climate change at the Chabot Space and Science Center’s “Earth Day in the Bay.” The event will feature guest speakers, hands-on activities, and live performances.
April 21, 2024, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Chabot Space and Science Center, tickets are needed, children under 2 are free.
