Celebrate and Support Our Planet this Earth Month

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Earth Day 2021

Earth Day 2021 is April 22, and this year marks the 51st anniversary of this celebration. While this year may find us at home practicing social distancing and self-isolation to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), there are still many ways to celebrate and support our planet. 

Use this website as a resource to help you: Learn about the Earth, Do Projects at Home, Embrace the Outdoors, and Evaluate Your Home Habits. If you have questions, or need more information, please contact the City of Irvine Environmental Programs team at 949-724-7669. And be sure to sign up for the Environmental Programs quarterly e-newsletter to keep up to date on the City's sustainability programs.


How to Celebrate Earth Day 2021

Virtual Earth Day Events:

  1. A healthy planet is not just an option -- it's a necessity. Help protect our environment by promising to perform Earth-friendly acts to conserve our valuable resources and reduce pollution. Take the City of Irvine's Pledge to Restore our Earth by completing at least seven activities which will help protect our world. For a seamless experience, please use Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox when completing this pledge form.

    Take the Pledge 
     

  2. National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation - April 1-30
  3. Virtual Conference on Sustainability & Social Responsibility - April 1
  4. Green Ribbon Environmental Committee Meeting - April 14
  5. Drive Electric Earth Day Webinar - April 20 
    Watch the Webinar Recording

  6. Irvine Ranch Water District Community Meeting on Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project- April 21
  7. Rooftop Solar Everything You Need to Know Before Going Solar- April 21
  8. Earth Day - April 22
  9. Virtual Compost Class - April 23 
  10. Irvine Ranch Water District Michelson Water Recycling Plant Virtual Tour - April 28

Learn about the Earth

Make Every Day Earth Day

Do your part this Earth Day by taking small steps each day, which can lead to big changes overtime. Find easy-to-follow Earth Day tips from Irvine's Environmental Programs here.

Stay Educated at Home 

Visit earthday.org to learn more about this year’s digital movement, Earth Rise, and download the 2021 Teach-In Tool Kit to educate yourself and family this Earth Day.

Learn about Our Local Habitat

The Irvine Open Space Preserve is home to a vast amount of native plants and animals unique to our habitat. We may be indoors, but you can still learn about the open space with free field guides from Irvine Ranch Conservancy, a nonprofit which partners with the City to manage these protected lands. Find field guides on native animals, plants, wildflowers, and more at letsgooutside.org/about.

Make Nature Fun for the Kids

The Environmental Nature Center is bringing the Earth's wonders right to you through your computer screen! Take virtual field trips; subscribe to their YouTube channel for fun and informative videos; and enjoy live streams of their butterfly house, reptiles, birds, and more. Learn more at encenter.org.

Do Projects at Home

Compost from Home

Sprinkle used coffee grounds around your plants, plant new seedlings in eggshells, and more. Learn more tips at earthday.org.

While you are staying at home, the City of Irvine is bringing composting tips to you. Learn how to recycle your food and yard waste into garden gold to both nourish your garden and help the environment. Join our Free Virtual Class on April 23rd or watch our free online class, Composting Made Easy, and start your composting journey today.  

Interested in composting but you don't have the space? No problem. Try Vermicomposting, or worm composting, which recycles food waste in a small container, and no yard or yard waste needed. Watch our video to learn simple worm composting techniques and start producing a nutrient-rich organic plant food called Black Gold today.

Earth Challenge 2021

Become a citizen scientist! Gather important data in your own backyard and neighborhood, and then share this information with fellow citizen scientists to help the planet become healthier and cleaner. Learn more at earthday.org/take-action-now and wilsoncenter.org

Search for Backyard Bugs

Get outside and learn about natural enemies of garden pests! Use this flier from the UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County, and explore your backyard or neighborhood to identify insects that are good for your garden.

Embrace Your Green Thumb

Tend to your garden, and plant some pollinator-friendly flowers in your yard. Pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees are essential for plant reproduction, and make for a pretty sight in your garden as well. Learn a few tips at nrdc.org

Embrace the Outdoors

Get Outdoors

Take a walk in your neighborhood or do yoga in your backyard. Make sure to practice social distancing and maintain 6 feet of space between individuals, and to follow federal guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. Find ideas on staying active for adults and kids at cityofirvine.org/virtual

Virtually Visit National Parks

Appreciate the vast natural wonders of the world even while at home through virtual tours of national parks including Arches, Chanel Islands, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. Find a complete list at cityofirvine.org/virtual

Evaluate Your Home Habits

Change Daily Routines

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to energy conservation and recycling efforts. Make sure to turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth, close the refrigerator door, and turn lights off when you leave the room. Trade in your plastic bags for reusable Tupperware, and sort cans and bottles to recycle. Learn more at energy.gov/energysaver.

Live Sustainably 

Learn ways to reduce your water use and food waste, recycle more, decrease your household carbon footprint, and more at epa.gov

Save Energy at Home

There are many unique ways to save energy at home you might not think of, such as closing blinds to keep out afternoon heat or cooking with a grill to keep your home cooler. Learn more at sce.com.

Recycle Right

Honor the Earth by recycling at home! Check out Waste Management's guide to recycling, including basic rules to follow and common recycling myths, at wm.com.

 Use Water Efficiently

Get the latest news on water efficiency and the steps you can take while at home more to save water from Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD). Find a variety of resources at RightScape.com and the IRWD watering schedule here.