What’s Going on for Earth Day 2013 in the DC Area?

April 22, 1970, marked the first-ever Earth Day. More than 20 million Americans participated in rallies, demonstrations and a variety of activities across the country in the name of raising awareness for a healthier, more sustainable environment.

After witnessing an enormous oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA, Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-WI) planned a national teach-in on the environment to educate the media about air and water pollution. Nelson partnered with Rep. Pete McCloskey (R-CA) and activist Denis Hayes to coordinate the event, which grew into Earth Day.

Four decades later, Earth Day is ingrained in the national consciousness, with many groups, from schoolchildren to businesses, participating in events ranging from clean-up efforts, awareness-raising activities, recycling and more.

The Earth Day Network has some activities in which anyone can participate, and the National Mall will feature an afternoon (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) with speakers, celebrities and musical acts such as Cheap Trick, Dave Edmunds, and DC-native saxophonist Ron Holloway (Allman Brothers, Little Feat, etc.).

There are a number of local events as well.

Montgomery County

Wheaton - Brookside Gardens Festival (1800 Glenallan Avenue, April 21 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.)

Silver Spring - Randolph Hills Park Cleanup (11805 Ashley Drive Silver, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Bethesda - Little Falls Cleanup (Three locations are available on April 13, from 9 a.m. to noon: the end of Albemarle Street; the end of Elliott Road at the bridge over the creek  and the Little Falls Park entrance at Massachusetts Avenue.)

Rockville - Rock Creek Trail Cleanup (4140 Wexford Drive at Beach, April 13 from 9 a.m. to noon.)

Brookeville - Tridelphia Reservoir Cleanup (2800 Triadelphia Lake Road, April 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.)

Laurel - Patuxent River Cleanup (11000 Harding Road, April 21 from 9 a.m. to noon)

Prince George’s County

Anacostia Watershed Cleanup (various locations, including Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Briers Mills Run, Burnt Mills Dam, Cool Spring Creek, Quincy Run and more, April 20, from 9 a.m. to noon)

Greenbelt - Public Works Open House (555 Crescent Road, April 20 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.);
Springhill Lake Recreation Center (April 20, from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m., planting trees, guided  tours and more.)

Fort Washington - Potomac Landing Community Center Celebration (12500 Fort Washington Road, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)