Earth Day 2020 activities from our member groups

April 22 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. While the COVID-19 pandemic means no one is holding large, in-person parties, it is not stopping member groups from hosting virtual and at-home events that serve as extensions of their missions and celebrations of Earth Day’s mission of environmental protection. Below are some great events and activities our member organizations are hosting. We hope you will join in the celebration!

West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Blue Tie Ball ~ Wednesday, April 22 to Saturday, April 25
This ticketed virtual event features networking, relaxation, a silent auction and, of course, dancing to raise funds for water education and water protection programming.

Voices for Earth Justice
Virtual events ~ All day Wednesday, April 22
This event offers a live-streamed music and prayer service; a live-streamed panel of Detroit environmental nonprofit leaders; and a 24-hour virtual vigil for Earth, divided into 48 half-hour time blocks.

Huron River Watershed Council
#50/50 Earth Day Challenge ~ Any day near Thursday, April 22
Get outside, pick up 50 items of trash, and share a picture with #50/50 and #TrashTag.

Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition
Celebrate the U.P.! 2020 ~ 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25
This annual event celebrating the Upper Peninsula will be hosted virtually, featuring keynote speaker Monica Lewis-Patrick, of We the People of Detroit. This year’s theme is “Homespun.”

Michigan Climate Action Network
Earth Day Live! ~ April 22 to 24
A three-day live stream from 9 am to 9 pm each day focused on climate action with training sessions, performances, and appearances to keep people engaged, informed, and inspired.

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
Detroit Parks Coloring Book ~ Weekly through May
Print, color and share two coloring pages featuring two Detroit parks each week using #ColoringDetroitParks.

Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy
Nature Near You Photo Contest  ~ Through Aug. 26
Submit up to five photos that celebrate southeast Michigan’s natural landscapes.

Michigan Audubon
5MR birding ~ Anytime
Instead of birding at parks and preserves, see which birds are within a five-mile radius of your home. Snap a good photo? Submit it to Michigan Audubon’s photo contest.

Photo: Pictured is a portion of Albion College's Whitehouse Nature Center in Albion, Michigan in 2018.