Flowers are blooming, plants are sprouting, and bees are buzzing.
The new season brings new opportunities and events to get outside and enjoy nature around us. Now that we’ve entered April, our friends and partners all across the region are hosting an array of events throughout the month to celebrate Earth Day.
Earth Day is a day of celebration, appreciation, and stewardship of our iconic landscapes, clean streams and rivers and vibrant communities. The Valley is no stranger to opportunities to explore the natural beauty that Earth has to offer.
Whether touring the depths of the Earth in a show cave, hiking a trail in the national forest or park, farming the land that feeds us, or simply taking in the beautiful mountain views that surround us—the beauty is all around in the Shenandoah Valley.
The events below are ways to join us and our partners to celebrate, appreciate, and steward the landscapes that make our region special.
Harrisonburg and Rockingham Great Community Give
You can kick off Earth Day week TODAY, April 19 by participating in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County’s Great Community Give, where nonprofits band together in a community day of giving. The goal this year is to raise $2 MILLION to support local nonprofits, including the Alliance and many of our partners.
1st Annual Greenway and Hawksbill Creek Clean-up Event
Then, on Thursday April 20, you can join the 1st Annual Greenway and Hawksbill Creek Clean-up Event in Luray. If you haven’t strolled on the Hawksbill, you should give it a try—it’s a treat and so popular the community is working to extend the multi-use trail to the historic Isabella Furnace.
North Fork River Cleanups
Starting Friday April 21, you can participate in one of the Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River cleanups, happening at locations along the river from Broadway to Front Royal through Sunday April 23.
And then of course, Saturday, April 22 is the big day, where you can join in the celebrations all across the Valley.
Browntown Redbud Festival
In Browntown, south of Front Royal, you can join in the free Redbud Festival hosted by the Browntown Community Center from 9am-3pm. There’s a bake sale, craft sale and the not-to-be-missed Gooney Creek Duck Race. The Alliance’s Chris Anderson will be there representing our work in Warren County.
Front Royal Earth & Arbor Day
And in Front Royal proper from 10am – 3pm, you can join the town-wide Earth & Arbor Day celebration hosted by the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee. Come on by for kids activities, food trucks, native plant sales, live music and a 1pm tree planting.
Earth Day Staunton
An Earth Day celebration in Staunton will also have plenty of activities for the kids, food trucks, a chance to meet local wildlife from the Wildlife Center, award ceremony for local Earth Heros, and more. Our friends at the Valley Conservation Council & I will be there—feel free to stop by and say hi anytime between 11am – 3pm at Gypsy Hill Park.
Waynesboro Riverfest
And just in case you’re booked this weekend, or aren’t ready to stop the celebrations, come out to Waynesboro’s Riverfest on Saturday April 29 from 10am – 4:30pm to learn and celebrate the South River. Activities include a Fish & Fun Rodeo, Stream Safari exploration, arts & crafts, and even canoe rides on the river!
Most importantly, have a happy Earth Day however and wherever you celebrate!