Table of Contents
Alexandria is celebrating the 56th anniversary of Earth Day with a month-long series of events, volunteer opportunities and educational programming throughout April under the theme "Lights, Camera, Action: Spotlighting Steps to a Greener Alexandria."
The city's Eco-City Alexandria initiative is organizing the programming, which centers on the city's vision of residents, businesses and local government working together toward environmental sustainability. Sustainability-themed student artwork from kindergarten through eighth grade created in partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools will be on display at the Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center lobby from April 17 through May 22, and at City Hall throughout the month.
The month opens Friday, April 3, with the First Friday Bird Count at Dora Kelly Nature Park, where an environmental educator will lead a morning count of seasonal species. Binoculars are available to borrow and all experience levels are welcome.
The weekend of April 11 is among the busiest of the month. The Historic Holmes Run Stream Cleanup runs from 9 a.m. to noon, with volunteers meeting at the parking lot of Charles Beatley Library at 5005 Duke St. to remove litter and debris from the stream corridor. The same day, the EV Ride and Drive and EV Showcase runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chinquapin Park, where residents can test drive electric vehicles from local dealerships or try scooters and e-bikes from local retailers. A Nature Play session for children ages 2 to 5 is also scheduled that morning at the Ford Nature Center.
On April 13, a virtual presentation on unregulated AI use and environmental threats features Dr. Finley-Brook discussing policies experts are developing in response. The Green Teen Club meets April 15 at the Ford Nature Center for outdoor activities and discussions on sustainability, environmental justice and green careers.
Saturday, April 18, brings three events. The 5th annual ALX Dog Walk and Sustainability Festival begins at 7 a.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., with a 2-mile walk starting promptly at 8:15 a.m. Registration is available at alxdogwalk.com. The city's Resource Recovery Division hosts a free shredding event from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of MOM's Organic Market at 3831 Mt. Vernon Ave. And the Natural Resources Meet and Greet runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at William Ramsay Recreation Center.
Earth Day falls on Wednesday, April 22, marked by a food waste presentation at the Ford Nature Center. Three days later, April 25 is the month's most packed day, with Animals in the Park at Windmill Hill Park, the We Are Eco-City Alexandria tree planting and art showcase at the Ford Nature Center, the City Nature Challenge Bioblitz at Dora Kelly Nature Park, macroinvertebrate monitoring at Angel Park and a Brews, Bikes and Bulbs event at Port City Brewing, 3950 Wheeler Ave. A Celebration of History and Nature also takes place that afternoon at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library.
The month closes with the Del Ray GardenFest on Sunday, April 26, at Colasanto Park, where AlexRenew and the Environmental Policy Commission will present the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award at 1 p.m. A Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop — $55, registration required — runs April 28 at Beatley Central Library, followed that evening by Eco:mmunion, a monthly climate discussion, at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library.
The City Nature Challenge, an international wildlife documentation competition using the iNaturalist app, runs April 24-27.
Full event details and registration links are available at alexandriava.gov/EarthDay.
