Earth Day 2022 Events in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess NY
Music stage at a past Green Ossining Earth Day Festival. Photo: John F. Kramer
Invest in Our Planet
As 1 billion people around the globe gather to mark Earth Day on April 22, they will be focusing on an increasingly critical goal: the need for everyone—governments, citizens and businesses—to do their part to combat climate change. “Everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable,” is the day’s emerging motto.
While Earth Day themes over the past 52 years have often centered on specific issues, such as plastic pollution and deforestation, this year’s broader theme, “Invest In Our Planet,” reflects a growing consensus that, at such a critical point for the Earth’s future, governments will not solve the climate crisis by themselves. “Like the industrial, space and information revolutions, all sectors of society can and must play major roles—this time with the extraordinary responsibilities to get it right,” reads a statement from EarthDay.org. Activism involves not only lowering carbon emissions, but also making sure that the benefits of the coming Green Revolution are spread evenly throughout society, the statement says. “In 2022, we all must enter into one partnership for the planet,” says Earth Day President Kathleen Rogers.
Events, such as rallies and social media campaigns, aim to encourage action and legislation, as well as educate on corporate and personal sustainability. Art shows allow attendees to visualize a better future while data collection for citizen-based science research and workshops find ways to build local green economies. All are appropriate ways to participate this Earth Day, as well as clean-up campaigns and tree plantings. To learn about personal actions, including step-by-step instructions on how to organize an event, visit EarthDay.org.
Help celebrate victories and support future progress by participating in these local Earth Day 2022 events:
FRIDAY, APRIL 1
Earth Month in Tarrytown – Earth Day is a full month in Tarrytown where neighbors join together for activities like the village wide clean up, native seed swap and vine removal. The Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council (TEAC). Info: TarrytownEnviro.org.
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
Community Garden Spring Prep –1-4pm. Help prep the community garden for spring planting. Work will include bed repairs, bed clean up, pour topsoil and compost. John Paulding School. Info: TarrytownEnvironmental.org.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14
TEAC Environmental Film Series: The True Cost – 7pm. Learn the environmental impact the clothing industry has on the world. Followed by moderated discussion. Warner Library, Tarrytown. Info: TarrytownEnvironmental.org, 914. 631.7734.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
Great Saw Mill River Cleanup – 10am-1pm. Volunteer to join the Saw Mill River Coalition to haul out tons of trash and debris, leaving the river cleaner and free-flowing for the critters and human folk to enjoy. Six locations: Yonkers, Irvington, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, and Hastings. Info: GroundworkHV.org.
Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival Returns – 10am-5pm. Westchester County’s largest community-run Earth Day festival; artisan vendors, food and live music on the banks of the Hudson River. Info: GreenOssining.org.
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Riverkeeper Sweep – 9am-12pm. Join in for a clean up by the river. Kayak Launch, Tarrytown, Lot G. Info: TarrytownEnvironmental.org.
Climate Action Earth Day Festival Happens April 24
Bedford 2030’s annual Climate Action Earth Day Festival will take place April 24, from noon to 4 p.m., at Bedford Hills Train Station. Guests can join Healthy Yards, area nonprofits and a variety of local earth-friendly businesses to discuss, learn about and applaud positive steps for climate action. There will be music, green ideas, family activities and some special guests at this free event.
The goal of this popular festival is to celebrate the beauty and benefits of the natural world, raise awareness of environmental and climate concerns, and share actions and ideas to address them. Exhibits will focus on community groups that support environmental work. Activities will be both entertaining and environmentally educational. Vendors will include local businesses offering food and items with an environmental theme, as space permits. Volunteers are always needed.
Bedford 2030 leads a community-wide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect natural resources in Bedford and beyond.
Cost: Free. For more info, visit Bedford2030.org.
Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival Returns, Live and In Person
Green Ossining’s 12th annual Earth Day Festival expects to return to its live-and-in-person format at Louis B. Engel Waterfront Park on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests can learn how to live a more sustainable life, visit artisan vendors and enjoy food and live music all day on the banks of the Hudson River—all while demonstrating their support of environmental protection.
This is Westchester County’s largest community-run Earth Day festival, having drawn more than 4,000 attendees in the past and expecting more than a hundred vendors this year. The festival has grown from 300 attendees and 20 vendors in its first year and attracts visitors from as far south as Brooklyn to counties surrounding and north of Westchester. It’s also a family-friendly event, with eco-demonstrations—such as food foraging by The Rewilding School—and hands-on activities and educational opportunities for all ages.
“As we honor the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day, we remain keenly aware of the great challenges affecting our natural environment, our planet and life as we know it,” says Suzie Ross, chairperson and founding member of Green Ossining. “We are also of the belief that there is much we can each personally do to effect positive change through the everyday choices we each have the power to make. You’ll find many things you love about festivals—food, music, artisans, activities—but we hope you’ll also join us in our recognition of the urgency to action that is needed.”
For more info, visit GreenOssining.org.
Pitch in for Parks to Clean Up Willson’s Woods
Westchester residents are invited to join a community cleanup effort, Pitch in for the Parks, set for April 20, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Willson’s Woods Park in Mount Vernon. Each year around Earth Day, Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Parks Department host Pitch in for Parks. It’s their largest volunteer event.
Volunteers will help weed and plant flowerbeds, perform maintenance on the native tree plantings, and manage and clip invasive plants, among other tasks. All tools will be provided, but volunteers are asked to bring their own water. They should wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes.
Preregistration is required so that organizers can plan for the correct number of volunteers. Day-of information, such as meeting location, appropriate attire, and insurance paperwork for minors, will be emailed to volunteers one to two days before the event.
To preregister, find Pitch in for Parks 2022 at Eventbrite.com. For more info, email
Celebrate ‘The Enchanted Realm’ at World Peace Sanctuary
The World Peace Sanctuary, in Wassiac, will host Earth Day 2022: The Enchanted Realm on April 23, with a day of outdoor activities led by Michael Gulbrandsen, founder of Nature's Whispers. “We’ll celebrate our connection to the Earth and the magical creatures that surround us, like the fairies, gnomes, dragons, pixies and trolls,” Gulbrandsen says.
The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a Fairy and Foraging Walk along a forest trail. Participants will gather unusual stumps, wood and artifacts to enhance the Enchanted Realm, and gather acorns, rocks, stones, branches and other materials to build magical creature houses. After a BYO picnic lunch, Gulbrandsen says, “we will break into three groups in order to build the spaces of this magical area along the path.”
Afternoon activities will include building a unique entry structure using branches, logs and vines; using items foraged earlier to create and decorate houses for fairies and other magical creatures; and working in a group to sculpt a gnome’s head from a mound of soil, then decorate it using found elements as well as grasses, creeping thyme and moss.
This event is intended for adults and children 16 years and older only. Space is limited, so reservations (via email) are required. Rain date is April 24.
Cost: $50 for the day, including materials and tools. Location: The World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd., Wassiac, NY. For reservations, email [email protected]. For more info about Michael Guldbrandsen, visit MeditativeWalks.com.
