The Alachua County Commission is proud to participate in the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth.”
County Earth Day events include:
Passport to the Preserves (from April 10 to May 3) – In celebration of Earth Day, Alachua County invites residents to travel to the beautiful local
nature preserves. After visiting the preserves, participants can fill out a
web form for an entry to win an earth day celebration prize. To participate and learn more, visit the
Alachua County Environmental Protection website, or contact Hollie Greer at 352-264-6827.
Earth Day 2021 and Water Conservation Month Proclamations – The County Commission will announce both Earth Day and Water Conservation Month proclamations at their April 13 Regular Commission Meeting.
8th Annual ‘Saving My Alachua’ Environmental Art Contest Winners Ceremony (April 22, at 5:30 p.m.) – The 8th Annual ‘Saving My Alachua’ Environmental Art Contest Winners Ceremony takes place at the County Administration Building West Lawn (12 S.E. 1st Street, Gainesville). Participants must RSVP by contacting Eliana Bardi at 352-264-6810.
Cross Creek Boat Ramp Tree Planting Event (April 23, at 10 a.m.) – The County will be planting trees at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Park, Kate Barns Boat Ramp (18800 S. County RD 325, Cross Creek). Those interested in volunteering should contact Lacy Holtzworth at 352-548-1266.
iNaturalist City Nature Challenge (from April 30 to May 3)- Alachua County and the City of Gainesville are joining 250 other cities and counties around the world in participating in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge. To participate, residents must download the free
iNaturalist app on their smartphones. Participants take photos of all the plants and animals they can find in their yards, neighborhoods, local parks, and at one of the County Preserves, and post the photos to iNaturalist through the website or app. To learn more, go to the
City Nature Challenge website.
Other community Earth Day events include:
Party for the Planet – The Santa Fe Teaching Zoo is hosting a virtual Party for the Planet throughout the month of April. Visit their Facebook and Instagram pages for hands-on activities in the community and meet animal ambassadors. For information, go to
Party for the Planet (sfcollege.edu)
Florida Climate Week videos (from April 19 to April 23) – This is a week-long series of videos on climate. For more information, go to the
Florida Climate Week website.
The Florida Springs Institute (from April 19 to April 23) – The Florida Springs Institute is hosting digital presentations for protecting springs. Learn more at the
Florida Springs Institute website.
Melrose Earth Day Celebration (April 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) – This is a free public event with activities for kids and adults, located at Mossman Hall (301 S.R.-26, Melrose). For more information, call 352-475-2924.
University of Florida events include:
Audrey Peterman’s (Conservationist and Author) Earth Day Talk entitled “Exposure to Love to Action: Mobilizing Advocates for our Earth” (April 22, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) – Conservationist and author Audrey Peterman will be speaking at the UF Natural History Museum. For more information, visit the
event website.
Florida Springs Film series: Biodiversity (from April 22 to April 27) – The Florida Museum of Natural History is hosting the Florida Springs Film series: Biodiversity. The series culminates in a panel discussion from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 27. starting on April 22 and culminating in a panel discussion from 7 – 8:30 on April 27. For more information, visit the
event website.
“The variety of events our citizens can participate in is wonderful,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Acting Director Stephen Hofstetter. “Striving for a healthy and sustainable planet is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity.”
For more information about any of the events listed above, visit the associated link or contact number provided or contact Stephen Hofstetter at 352-264-6811 or
shofstetter@alachuacounty.us.