First held on April 22, 1970, Earth Day now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally, with celebrations and observances including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
It brings a wide range of events to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Throughout the rest of this month plenty of East End organizations and locales will be doing a little extra to ensure our surrounding waters and lands stay clean. Most of these events are free to participate in and require very little effort, but bring huge reward. This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” focusing on utilizing collective community action, renewable energy, and climate literacy to drive environmental progress, rather than relying solely on political administration. Good thing, right?
Perhaps Michael Collins — an astronaut who was also the command module pilot for the first moon landing, Apollo 11 — said it best: “the thing that really surprised me was that [Earth] projected an air of fragility. And why, I don’t know. I don’t know to this day. I had a feeling it’s tiny, it’s shiny, it’s beautiful, it’s home, and it’s fragile.”
Happy early Earth Day, East Enders! Do your best to do your part all year long. Our planet depends on it.
Southampton Town
All are welcome to join the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for a seal walk and beach cleanup at Cupsogue Beach County Park in Westhampton Beach on Saturday, April 11. From 10 a.m. to noon, learn about local wildlife (and the challenges they face), clean up the beach and (hopefully) observe some seals in their natural habitat. The event is free with a suggested donation of $5. Register by emailing [email protected] or click here.
The South Fork Natural History Museum (377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-9735) hosts its annual Earth Day Open House on Saturday, April 18. Expect children’s nature crafts, birding and bug walks, planting new seeds for the museum’s pollinator garden and a special meeting with Long Island’s raptor ambassadors with the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center (advance registration required). Fun starts at 10 a.m. and continues through 1 p.m. Admission is free.
On Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., the Parrish Art Museum (279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-283-2118) invites all to the the Lichtenstein Theater for a conversation between Helen Hsu, associate curator for research at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and “Regeneration: Long Island’s History of Ecological Art and Care” artists Scott Bluedorn, Jeremy Dennis, Sasha Fishman and Tucker Marder, moderated by Scout Hutchinson, The FLAG Art Foundation associate curator of contemporary art. A reception will follow the talk at 3 p.m. Advance registration is recommended. Limited spaces will be available at the door. Free for members and for resident benefits pass holder; $25 guests of member; $30 adults; free for students and children.
An Earth Day Swap Party on Saturday, April 18, is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of the East End (376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-8250). Guests are welcome to donate gently used books, puzzles and sports gear during that whole week (from April 13 to April 18) and swap something old for something new at the Swap Party on Saturday. The Cedar Closet, online consignment extraordinaire, will also be on hand for their first in-person pop-up. Free for all to attend.
An Earth Day celebration will be at Quogue Wildlife Refuge (3 Old Country Road, Quogue, 631-653-4771) on Saturday, April 25, from noon to 3 p.m. In celebration of our planet’s natural beauty, festivities will include guided bird walks, face painting and crafts for children, environmental exhibitions, self-guided kayaking and canoeing on Old Ice Pond, a native plant sale with the Long Island Native Plant Initiative, a native sapling giveaway with Bartlett Tree Experts, a chance to meet live ambassador animals, treats from Hampton Coffee Company, and food from the Land and Sea Smokehouse food truck. Additionally, in the spirit of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” there will also be a chance to bring some household items for proper disposal, repurposing or recycling. For more information, click here. Rain date is Sunday, April 26.
The Shine Studio and Peconic Land Trust co-host a celebration on Saturday, April 25, at Bridge Gardens (36 Mitchell Lane) in Brigehampton from 1 to 4 p.m. The special community event blends art, nature and environmental appreciation and stewardship as guests are invite to decorate a birdhouse using upcycled and natural materials to be hung in the iconic gardens Wisteria Arbor. Open to folks of all ages; $10 per birdhouse, payable at the door. Pre-registration is required. Click here to snag your spot, email [email protected] or call 631-615-4002.
East Hampton Town
The Great Montauk Cleanup is on Saturday, April 18. Starting at the Concerned Citizens of Montauk‘s office located at 6 S. Elmwood Ave., s top by anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to grab some gloves, hand sanitizer and a reusable sack to help clean up some of our favorite spots throughout The End. Every volunteer who participates in the cleanup this year is automatically entered in a raffle. Prizes will be from local businesses, like Balsam Farms, Joni’s, Montauk Brewing, Hampton Coffee Co., Montaukila and more.
On Earth Day proper (April 22), the East Hampton Library (159 Main St., 631-324-0222) hosts a special themed art and crafts storytime for kids from three to six years old. Participants will make a map with water (colors) and “dirt” while learning about our world. The story to be read is “Dora Celebrates Earth Day!” by Emily Sollinger. Starts at 4 p.m. and you can register here.
Join the Surfrider Foundation Eastern Long Island Chapter and Group for the East End this Earth Day weekend (April 25) for a hands-on beach grass planting at Maidstone Park, off Flaggy Hole Road in Springs at 9 a.m. According to the foundation’s website, beach grass plays a critical role in stabilizing dunes, reducing coastal erosion, and supporting local wildlife habitats. Volunteers will help plant dune grass at Maidstone Park — also known locally as “Baby Beach” or “Crab Beach” — to strengthen this important natural barrier and protect our shoreline. Bring gloves, small shovels (if you have them) and a water bottle. Sign up here.
