In honor of Earth Day, held on April 22, the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River (AWE) environmental education centers are rallying together to host an exciting mix of educational, fun and eco-friendly events.
Plan to get out in nature and have a blast. Here are some options on how to spend your time:
Monday, April 22
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
What: Join the Philly Phanatic and the Schuylkill Center staff for a rousing afternoon of fun. Participants will get to “dance” the air cycle, create a magical rainstorm, play Earth Day Bingo, and even plant a tree! The event takes place in the amphitheatre.
Where: Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Saturday, April 20
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
What: Local residents and visitors are encouraged to participate in cleaning up the gardens and the Refuge at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.
Where: Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road , Slatington, PA 18080
Darby Creek Cleanup and TreePhilly Tree Giveaway
Saturday, April 20
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
What: In it’s 33rd year, the annual Darby Creek Cleanup offers staff and volunteers a chance to pitch in, get dirty, and make Darby Creek—an integral part of the Delaware Watershed—shine! Bags, gloves, and lunch will be provided to all volunteers. Additionally, TreePhilly is giving away 50 trees to residents of Southwest Philadelphia! The trees must be planted in the ground on private property.
Where: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Monday, April 22
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
What: Parents are encouraged to sign up their children, in grades K-3, for a fun-filled day of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) educational activities at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. They’ll learn about water in our world, our local watershed, Schuylkill River wildlife, freshwater mussels in our waterways, and more! Parents are asked to pack a lunch and two snacks and ensure their children are dressed appropriately for both indoor and outdoor activities. Space is limited and registration is required by April 15.
Where: Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Waterworks Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19130
Earth Day Cleanup at Croydon Woods & Bristol Marsh
Monday, April 22
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
What: Spend a day giving back to the community by cleaning up two important nature preserves managed by Heritage Conservancy. Volunteers can tidy up either the Bristol Marsh Nature Preserve or the Croydon Woods Nature Preserve.
Where: Bristol Marsh Nature Preserve (Maple Beach)–approximate address 350 Basin Park, Bristol, PA 19007 AND Croydon Woods Nature Preserve (behind Keystone Elementary School)–approximate address 1900 Summit Ave, Croydon, PA 19021
Philadelphia City Nature Challenge
Additionally, many of AWE’s member centers are taking part in the Philadelphia City Nature Challenge, part of a global competition among cities that encourages participants to get out in nature and snap photos of wildlife they see. The goal is to see which city can make the most identified observations through the iNaturalist app, and the more people participating and making observations, the better. This year marks the first time that Philadelphia is participating.
The following events at Alliance Centers are part of the Philadelphia City Nature Challenge:
Monday, April 22 – Monday, April 29
All day
What: A BioBlitz is an event where a group of people get together to document as many species as possible (animals, plants, insects, and more!) in a certain area, and this year the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) is encouraging everyone to get out and snap photos using the free iNaturalist app. Participants are encouraged to explore on their own or participate in one of the group BioBlitz events on Saturday, April 26 in Tacony Creek Park or in Jenkintown.
Location: Tacony Creek Park
Saturday, April 27
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
What: Help Bartram’s Garden kick off it’s annual Spring Fling by participating in a BioBlitz. Explore the grounds and try to find as many species of wildlife as you can. Volunteer naturalists will be stationed throughout the site to answer questions about the wildlife. Maps and assistance setting up the iNaturalist app will be provided.
Location: 5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19143
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge iNaturalist BioBlitz
Friday, April 26 – Monday, April 29
All day
What: Participants are encouraged to join the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum for two guided nature walks or upload pictures to the iNaturalist app on their own as a way of participating in the city-wide event. A free shuttle will run through Southwest Philadelphia from Bartram’s Garden to JHNWR on April 27th and 28th.
Location: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153
City Nature Challenge – Gateway Park
Sunday, April 28
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
What: Join Julia Raskin, program manager for Camden Parks and Greenways, who will lead a walk through the newly opened Gateway Park. Bring binoculars and some water, and be on the lookout for soaring eagles, delicate butterflies, and other wildlife as part of the Philadelphia City Nature Challenge.
Location: 2798 Admiral Wilson Blvd., Pennsauken Township, NJ