Celebrate Earth Week with Events Across Evanston

Celebrate Earth Week (April 19 - 25)  in Evanston with a full lineup of events focused on sustainability, community action, and environmental education. From hands-on activities and family-friendly programs at the Ecology Center to special presentations, a film screening, and opportunities to plant trees and help clean up local parks, there are plenty of ways to get involved throughout the week. Here are a few Earth Week highlights happening around Evanston.

Daily drop-in programs at the Ecology Center

Monday | Plants and Pollinators
April 20  |  4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Kick off Earth Week with community partners, including Friends of the Ladd Arboretum, Ladd Arboretum Stewards, and Natural Habitat Evanston. Enjoy a Native Plant Walk & Talk, Tree Identification Walk, and a drop-in nature craft for kids. Learn about lasagna composting and planting at 4 p.m., and pick up a free native whip (seedling) from 4 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday | Water and Wetlands
April 21  |  4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Stop by the Ecology Center from 4 to 7 p.m. for a drop-in Macroinvertebrate Workshop with Ecology staff and learn how wetlands support local ecosystems. Edible Evanston volunteers will also lead tours of their new rain garden.

Wednesday | Wildlife and Habitat
April 22 |  All Day
Start the day with a morning birding walk in Perkins Woods at 7:30 a.m., then head to the Ecology Center from 4 to 7 p.m. for bird-themed activities, including a Bird Collision Workshop with Holly Greenberg, bird walks, and a drop-in table with artifacts and birding tips. Free native whips will also be available from Natural Habitat Evanston.

Thursday | Farm to Fork
April 23  |  4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join Evanston Grows from 4 to 7 p.m. for a vermicomposting workshop and creative art activities using veggie scraps. It’s a fun, hands-on way to learn about sustainable food practices and local agriculture.

Friday | Repair Café
April 24  |  3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bring broken items to the Ecology Center from 3 to 7 p.m. and learn how to repair and reuse with expert volunteers. Repair stations include electronics, eyeglasses, jewelry, sewing, bikes, and more, plus a music jam session for all ages.

Saturday | Earth Day Fest
April 25  |  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebrate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with tree plantings, tree mulching workshops, Litter Leagues, a Kids’ Zone, volunteer opportunities, and eco resources from local organizations. Be part of a special street sign unveiling at 1:30 p.m., honoring Evanston’s Natural Area Stewards.

Business District Cleanups

Main-Dempster Mile Earth Day CleanUp
Saturday, April 18  |  11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  |  Main-Dempster Mile
Celebrate Earth Day by participating in the Main Dempster Mile Earth Day Cleanup. Volunteers can check in anytime during the event at one of two locations: Hive Center for the Book Arts, 840 Custer Ave., for the Main Street area, or Windfree Solar Cafe, 517 Dempster St., for the Dempster Street area. Cleanup supplies, including trash bags, gloves (with a limited number of children’s sizes available), and route maps for individuals and groups, will be provided. Sign up to participate. 

Downtown Evanston Earth Day Clean-Up
Sunday, April 26  |  Noon–2 p.m.
Join Downtown Evanston, The Woman’s Club of Evanston, and Brightview Landscaping for a community clean-up in the downtown business district. Volunteers will meet at the north side of Fountain Square to pick up supplies before heading out to collect litter along assigned routes. Pre-registered participants will be entered to win a $100 Evanston e-gift card.

Other Community Events

Art Maker's Outpost Earth Day Extravaganza
Saturday, April 18  |  10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |  Art Makers Outpost, 609 South Blvd.
Celebrate Earth Day with Art Makers Outpost on April 18! We have a festive day of interactive activities that honor and acknowledge Mother Earth. This event is free and open to everyone! Embrace your creative side with crafting projects using recycled materials, dive into the spirit of sustainability with our plant exchange, and gather ‘round for a delightful story time! Consider bringing art supplies to donate to community members in need! 

Community Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 18  |  2–5 p.m.  |  Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave.
Earth Week kicks off with presentations, free native trees and shrubs, and activities focused on sustainability and environmental justice.

Run on Climate Meet & Greet
Wednesday, April 22  |  4:30–6 p.m.  |  Windfree Solar Cafe, 517 Dempster St.
Meet Evanston native Jack Hanson and local elected officials for a climate-focused gathering with live music, refreshments, and a silent auction.

The Modern All-Electric Home
Wednesday, April 22  |  6:30–8 p.m.  |  Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.
Free presentation on healthier, safer, and more comfortable all-electric living.

Lovelace Stewardship Workday
Thursday, April 23  |  1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  |  Lovelace Park
Last fall, Lovelace Park stewards and the City teamed up to restore the meadow—and recently, the area was mowed to help clear invasive plants and make room for native species to thrive. Now we need your help! After mowing, a layer of thatch remains, and removing it will give new growth the best chance to flourish. Join in on April 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to pitch in and make a difference. Bring gardening gloves, leaf rakes, or pruners if you have them—we’ll have extras on hand.

One Earth Film Festival Screening: Plastic People
Thursday, April 23  |  6 p.m.  |  Annenberg Hall G15, Northwestern University
Documentary screening exploring plastic pollution and the health impacts of microplastics.

Healthy Buildings Ordinance: Looking at the Future 
Thursday, April 23  |  Noon  |  Virtual
Marking one year since Evanston’s landmark Healthy Buildings Ordinance (HBO) was adopted, Climate Action Evanston is hosting a virtual event to share updates on the rulemaking process and what’s ahead. Hear from members of the Healthy Buildings Technical Committee and Accountability Board, along with City staff, as they break down the ordinance, highlight progress to date, and discuss how buildings can prepare for future implementation. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions. Join the event virtually. 

Earth Week Repair Cafe
Friday, April 24  |  3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  |  Ecology Nature Classroom
Celebrate Earth Week at the Friday Repair Café from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Evanston Ecology Center. Bring broken items and work with expert volunteers to repair and reuse everything from electronics and bikes to jewelry and clothing. With hands-on help, music, and a community jam session, it’s a fun, practical way to reduce waste and support sustainability.

Spring Ephemeral Walk
Saturday, April 25  |  2:30 p.m.  |  Harbert-Payne Park, McDaniel Ave. & Greenleaf St.
Catch the magic of spring ephemerals—those fleeting plants that bloom just for a short time each year. Join a guided walk with Celia Michener, co-steward of Harbert-Payne Park, and discover what’s popping up this season. Explore what only spring can show!

Prayer & Action for Earth Day
Sunday, April 26  |  3–5 p.m.  |  Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd.
Interfaith Action of Evanston closes out the week with a pop-up choir, litter pickup, and an interfaith prayer service.

Howard Street Litter League: Evanston vs. Rogers Park
Saturday, April 26  |  1-3 p.m.  |  Peckish Pig, 623 W. Howard St.
Join Climate Action Evanston on April 26 for the Evanston Litter League’s “Howard Street Classic,” a team-based cleanup competition between E-Town and Rogers Park. Recruit volunteers, pick up litter, and show your neighborhood pride while helping keep the community clean.

Evanston Art Center Activities
April 20–21  |  Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St.
Celebrate Earth Week at the Evanston Art Center with an Eco Art Supply Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring gently used donated art materials, and a free Earth Day Family Art-Making Event on April 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (with a bonus session on April 21 at 10 a.m.). Hosted by the EAC Teen Board, the all-ages collage activity uses recycled materials.