Earth Day Events In The Pioneer Valley

While Earth Day celebrations may not be as ubiquitous as they were prior to the pandemic, there are still a number of events scheduled across the Pioneer Valley to celebrate Earth Day, which has been celebrated every April 22 since 1970.  It is estimated that Earth Day is now celebrated by more than 1 billion people annually across 193 countries.  Here’s a listing of the Earth Day events that we are aware of.  If our readers know of others, we invite them to share that information in the comments section at the end of the article.

As our own contribution to Earth Day,  the Indy offers this link to Darcy Dumont’s 2021 essay in the Indy, Every Day Is Earth Day Starting Right Now

And see also,  The Seven Best Places To Celebrate Earth Day In 2022 In Massachusetts

EVENTS

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Land & Climate Teach-In Teach In At Hampshire College
Hampshire College is hosting a Land & Climate Teach-In on April 21,from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Frankling Patterson Hall. The event is focused on local and regional actions people can take to help steward land for climate recovery and justice. Join in conversation with leaders in carbon sequestration, renewable energy, public policy, conservation/land management, and indigenous land sovereignty to discuss how we can work together to take action. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the climate and justice implications of land use, and be ready to engage in local action on land policy or stewardship. The Teach-In is open to the Hampshire College community, Five Colleges, and the public.  COVID-19 Policy: Five College community members will need to show a campus ID. In-person attendees from outside the Five College system will need to show proof of current vaccination. All participants must be masked indoors. Visitor parking is available in the FPH lot adjacent to the building, as well as the Library parking lot (across the campus lawn). For more information look here.

Online Forum: a Livable Commonwealth:Trees As A Public Good.  7 p.m. on Zoom.  Free and open to the public. This online forum will educate people about the community services and climate mitigation that mature trees provide and how to strengthen legal protections for urban and rural tree canopies.  Speakers: Darius Coombs, Representative of the Wampanoag Nation, Bob Leverett, co-founder of the Native Tree Society,Yvonne Lalyre, Friends of Melnea Cass Boulevard, Quinton Zondervan, Cambridge City Councilor.  Register here.

Friday April 22, 2022

Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day At UMass With A Free Seedling Giveaway. Planting of the Class Tree, East Side of Curry Hicks Building at Noon.
Free Seedling Giveaway on the Goodell Lawn at UMass. Noon – 4 p.m.

Earth Day Vigil For Truth. 6:30 p.m. Pulsaki Park, Northampton. Organized by Western Mass Extinction Rebellion
& Climate Action Now. A space for us to stand together in our truths: what we love about the world we share, what we worry about for our collective future, and what we dedicate our action to in the year to come… a space for sharing and ritual, with an appearance by the ethereal Red Brigade. Everyone who loves the world and wants to build a better one is welcome to join us!  More Information Here.

Saturday April 23, 2022

Earth Day Flash Mob In Amherst. 11 a.m. Amherst Common. Come dance with us to celebrate Earth Day! We will take downtown Amherst by surprise by bursting into dance on the Common.  We dance to celebrate Our Nature: the environment around us. We love it and we need it. We protect nature because it sustains us.  Rehearsals will take place Fridays at 4pm at Groff Park on April 8, 15, and 22.  Sponsored by: Mothers Out Front Amherst, Climate Action Now, Extinction Rebellion Western Mass, and Amherst Sunrise.  More information and RSVP here.

Hadley Climate Day The Hadley Climate Day will bring attention to the urgency of the climate crisis with a range of activities that will help participants think about what we can all do to address the climate emergency. Brief keynote speeches, an ask-the-experts solutions panel, interactive hands-on workshops, art exhibits and theater, a facilitated community conversation, and a closing panel of local and state political leaders will all be part of the day. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hadley Senior Center and Public Library complex. Registration is required and free and will be capped at 150 people. Register here.

One Planet. One People. NO WAR! Rally In Northampton. 12:30 p.m., march from L3Harris (50 Prince St) to downtown. 1 p.m. ,rally at Northampton City Hall
1:30 p.m., march down Main Street. Sponsored by Demilitarize Western Mass & Western Mass Code Pink

Springfield Earth Day Celebration. 12 – 4 p.m. (rain date 4/30). 227 Mill Street Springfield. Come and see the work that Springfield is doing to build a just, sustainable, and cooperative economy. Shop local coop goods, food trucks, music, presentations, eco-friendly crafts and activities, help build a regenerative garden. Sponsored by PATCH (People Aligning To Create Harmony).  More information here.

Sunday April 24, 2022

Springfield Museums Earth Day Festival 2022 11:00 am–4:00 pm, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards Street, Springfield.Our annual celebration of clean air, land, and water featuring eco-friendly demonstrations, special exhibits, and a performance Bluegrass band Boys of the Landfill on the Quadrangle Green. Free and open to the public! In honor of the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted, a pioneering landscape architect whose work includes Springfield’s very own Forest Park, learn how his parks were designed to offer multiple health benefits and continue to provide important ecosystems services to the community. More information here.