For over 50 years, Earth Day has served as an opportunity to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Earth Day falls on Friday, April 22, but organizations throughout the Capital Region are hosting celebrations, clean ups, and special events all month long. Scroll on for the details about upcoming clean ups and special events celebrating Mother Nature this April in Albany, New York and the greater Capital Region.
Albany Capital Center
Celebrate Earth Day with the Albany Capital Center! On Friday, April 22 from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, swing by the convention center for a free "Plant and Take" event in-front of the building on 55 Eagle Street. Plant your own tree or a bulb and take it home with you! Mazzone Hospitality will have beverages and a snack available. All leftover trees and bulbs will be donated to a nature facility. From April 22 to April 29, bring your e-waste (for free!) to the Albany Capital Center loading dock at 54 Howard Street. Plus, keep an eye on the Albany Capital Center's and MVP Arena's social media platforms for a "Do One Thing" social media competition with prizes!
Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy
Bring your kids to the Normans Kill West Preserve in Delmar for an Earth Day Story & Hike with the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and Bethlehem Public Library on Friday, April 22. Enjoy a short family-friendly hike while listening to a couple of Earth Day-themed stories along the adventure. All participants will receive a fun craft to complete at home! Searching for a volunteer opportunity? Join the MHLC for A Workday for Earth Day at Bender Melon Farm Preserve in Slingerlands. Sign up online in advance to participate in the clean-up project on Saturday, April 23.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is hosting two special Earth Day events! On Friday, April 22, register for the Celebrating the Earth Afternoon Walk for free! The 1.7 mile walk will celebrate all the wonderful flora, fauna and nature at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. On Saturday, April 23 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, sign up to volunteer for a variety of conservation projects for Earth Day. All equipment will be provided. Space is limited, so sign up to volunteer as soon as possible!
Schenectady County Historical Society
Schenectady County Historical Society is hosting Earth Night, an evening celebration on Friday, April 22 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There will be a variety of fun things to do and workshops all celebrating Mother Earth and our natural surroundings at Mabee Farm Historic Site. Enjoy a "With Nature" pop-up exhibit, music by Earth’s Children, workshops by Cornell Cooperative Extension, crafts, a sunset tour on the nature trail, and much more! The evening will be capped off with a campfire and stories from the Earth.
Shaker Heritage Society
Get outside during Hands to Work Day with Shaker Heritage Society! On Saturday, April 23, roll up your sleeves and volunteer to help prepare the site of America's first Shaker settlement for spring. This Hands to Work Day will be focused on preparing the 1856 Brick Drying House for "Planting Utopia," an upcoming exhibition by local artist Julia Whitney Barnes.
Downtown Albany Business Improvement District
Live in downtown Albany? Meet your neighbors and join the Downtown Albany BID on Saturday, April 23 for two Earth Day Neighborhood Clean Ups. Starting at the Olde English Downtown Dog Park (119 N. Pearl Street), help tidy up this area of downtown Albany from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Then from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the clean up moves to the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region (135 S. Pearl Street). Rakes, shovels, and leaf and garbage bags will be provided by the City of Albany's Department of General Services and event sponsor The Mailworks. Volunteers are encouraged to register on Eventbrite in advance.
Nine Pin Cider
Nine Pin Cider's annual Warehouse District Clean Up returns on Sunday, April 24. The day kicks off in front of the tasting room at 10:00 AM. Pick up gear, provided by the City of Albany Department of General Services, and break into teams to clean up North Albany's Warehouse District. At 1:00 PM, volunteers are invited back to Nine Pin's tasting room for complimentary cider until 3:00 PM.
Nine Pin Cider is offering complimentary cider vouchers for neighborhood associations and groups who participate in any cleanup activities this April in the Capital Region. Clean up organizers should e-mail cara@ninepincider.com this month if they would like to participate. 20 voucher limit per group.
