Large or small, each green action we take—from workplace commitments to reduce, reuse and recycle to individual initiatives like riding a bike to work—helps to protect the integrity of our irreplaceable planet. We have come a long way from the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, that activated 20 million Americans. Today, the Earth Day Network (EDN) collaborates with 22,000 partners in 192 countries, and 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the world’s largest annual civic observance.

More progress is needed, however. “This Earth Day, we are mobilizing people on the planet simply to say one thing: The Earth won’t wait,” advises EDN Director of Earth Day, Franklin Russell, noting that environmental issues are frequently put on the back burner in the face of global economic challenges. “All too often, we hear of another oil spill or pipeline break, or another mountain leveled to mine for dirty coal. It’s time that we mobilize the Earth and speak with one voice, one message,” he asserts. “It’s time that our leaders put us on the path to sustainability.”

EDN invites us to help build the momentum by continuing to participate in the Billion Acts of Green campaign launched for Earth Day 2011. Its goal is to record a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, taking place this June, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To date, more than 499 million acts have been pledged—a powerful cause for hope. “I’m resolutely optimistic,” says Denis Hayes, organizer of the original Earth Day. “I think it’s really valuable for everyone in the world, even for a day, to do something for the environment and think about the Earth.”

Take Part Now

Pledge your own green act today at EarthDay.org and help mobilize the Earth by attending and supporting one or more of these local Earth Day 2012 events.

Earth Day Westchester

 Westchester will celebrate Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22 at the Kensico Dam Plaza. Earth Day Westchester 2012 will feature a mix of activities and education for all ages, with live music and entertainment, including Annie and the Natural Wonder Band and the Solar Punch Band; environmental exhibits and education for homes, businesses and schools; a local farmers market; and plenty of chances to win raffle prizes. Admission and parking are free.
This annual springtime celebration is sponsored by the Westchester County Departments of Environmental Facilities and Parks in coordination with the Friends of Westchester County Parks. 

A highlight of the day’s festivities will be the presentation of the county’s Sustainability/Recycling Awards for environmental achievements and community recycling programs. For additional information, contact Dennis Power at 914.813.5403 or [email protected].

Details will be posted on the county website, WestchesterGov.com. Kensico Dam Plaza is located at the north end of the Bronx River Parkway in Valhalla, NY.\

Westchester & Putnam Earth Day Events

Briarcliff  
SATURDAY, APRIL 21  – Earth Day Celebration at Mrs Green’s – 11am-4pm. Wellness practitioners, product vendors, samples, demos, information tables, give aways, store tour and more. 97 North State Rd. corner of Route 9A and North State Rd. Briarcliff Manor. Info: 914.762.8100; MrsGreens.com.

Cortlandt
SATURDAY, APRIL 21 – Town of Cortland Earth Day – 9am-2:30pm. Muriel H. Morabito Community Center. “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle” at the GIVE & TAKE event; compost bins and rain barrels and free gift. Info: 914.734.1002; renewcortlandt.org/earthday.

Cross River
SATURDAY, APRIL 28 – Katonah Lewisboro School District Sustainability & Wellness Fair– 10am-2pm. John Jay High School, Rt. 124, Cross River. Free.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – The Leatherman’s Loop – a 10k trail race held this year on Earth Day at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY. Loop starts at 9am.

Garrison
SATURDAY, APRIL 14 – 9am-2pm. Volunteer Landscape Day: Roll up your sleeves and meet other arborists, horticulturists, garden designers and landscape enthusiasts. Volunteers of all skill levels welcomed. Rain or shine. Lunch served. Manitoga, Rt. 9D, Garrison. Register: 845.424.3812.
russelwrightcenter.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19 – Eating Here: A Very Local Earth Day Meal – 7 pm at the Garrison Institute. Guy Jones, farmer and forager, will tell stories about farming in the Hudson Valley. $36. Reservations required; 845.424.4800; garrisoninstitute.org.

Larchmont
SATURDAY, APRIL 21 – Sheldrake Earth Day Cleanup – 10am-1pm. Sheldrake Environmental Center is having a cleanup day at the Larchmont Reservoir to celebrate Earth Day 2012. Free. 685 Weaver St. Larchmont. Info: sheldrakecenter.org; 914.834.1443.

Mt. Kisco
SATURDAY, APRIL 14  – Earth Day Celebration at Mrs Green’s – 11am-4pm. Wellness practitioners, product vendors, samples, demos, information tables, give aways, store tour and more. 666 Lexington Ave. Mt. Kisco. Info: 914.242.9292; MrsGreens.com.

New Rochelle
TUESDAY, APRIL 24 – Earth Day Game Show – 12:30-2pm. Hosted by the Environmental Studies Program at The College of New Rochelle in partnership with W.I.L.D.E (Women In Lasting Defense of the Environment). Main Campus – Mooney Center, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, Room: Romita Auditorium. Info: Dr. Faith Kostel-Hughes: [email protected].

Ossining
SATURDAY, 21 APRIL – Earth Day Quest – 10am-4pm. Letterboxing quest on Teatown’s trails – part hike, part treasure hunt and full of adventurous fun. Program runs throughout the day check in at the reception desk for instruction packet. $5pp or $20 per family. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd. Ossining. Info: teatown.org; 914.762.2912 x 110.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 – Ossining Earth Day Celebration & Stash the Trash & Free-a-Tree Community Action –11am-5pm. Fun and educational family day featuring music, children’s activities and information about how to save money by reducing your carbon footprint. Special events throughout the day. Louis Engel Waterfront Park, Ossining. Info: greenossining.org.

Putnam Valley
SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – 2012 Westchester J-SERVE:  Earth Day: Mobilize the Earth. Seven meaningful hands-on projects to choose from: Rainwater Catchment, Chicken Coop Painting, Mulching and Composting, Seed Starting and Planting, Build snack Gardens, Build Hoophouse for vegetables. International Day of Jewish Youth Service. Eden Village Camp, Putnam Valley, NY. $10. Register by April 2. Info: jteenleadership.org.

Scarsdale
SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – Earth Day Celebration – 1-3:30pm. A fun, earth friendly afternoon sprucing up the grounds, preparing the garden beds, clearing trails, and more. Participate in The Children & Nature Network’s Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside) initiative to get intergenerational groups outside together. Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarasdale. Free. 914.723.3470; greenburghnaturecenter.org.

Tarrytown
SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – Clearwater Earth Day Benefit Concert: A Tribute to Woody Guthrie. 7pm. Featured artists include Janis Ian, Tom Paxton, The Klezmatics, Tom Chapin, Toshi Reagon, David Amram, Lucy Kaplansky, Garland Jeffreys, Cheryl Wheeler. Proceeds to benefit Clearwater’s Environmental Education and Camp Programs. Tarrytown Music Hall. Tickets start at $48. 877.840.0457;
tarrytownmusichall.org.  

Valhalla
SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – Earth Day Westchester – 10am-3pm. Live music and entertainment, environmental exhibits and education for homes, businesses and schools, a local farmers market, presentation of the county’s Sustainability/Recycling Awards and raffle prizes. Kensico Dam Plaza. Westchester County’s Departments of Parks and Environmental Facilities. Admission and parking are free. Info: westchestergov.com.

White Plains
APRIL 16-22 – White Plains Earth Week – Starting Monday, April 16, with a kick-off event at City Hall at 4pm, with a tree planting ceremony. The big Earth Day Celebration: and Street Fair takes place on Saturday, April 21, from noon to 4pm in Downtown White Plains, on Mamaroneck Avenue between Martine Avenue & Main Street. Info: sustainwhiteplains.org.

Yonkers
SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – Earth Day Clean Up – noon-4pm. Join staff and friends in giving back to the earth by caring for Beczak’s marsh, beach, and lawn. Snacks and gloves provided. Free. Beczak Environmental Education Center, 35 Alexander St. Yonkers. Info: 914.377.1900 x 13; beczak.org.

Yorktown Heights
SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – The Battle of Yorktown Roadside Litter Clean Up – All day. Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering for an hour or two to pick up roadside litter. All across Yorktown. Info: 914.245.4438; yorktownny.org.