Celebrate Earth Day 2018 with walks, storytime, music and more

Earth Day 2018 offers a chance for residents across the region, state and world to celebrate the planet and take part in projects to help make it clean and healthy for generations to come.

Whether you're required to do something for a class, you're looking for opportunities for your family or you seek a way to give back, there are plenty of local events right here in Greater Lansing for you to take part in.

April 19

State of Michigan Earth Day Event: The Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will come together to celebrate Earth Day from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on April 19 at Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan St., Lansing.

This year's participants will include school groups, families and friends of Earth Day poster contest winners, partnering organizations and children of staff members of DEQ; DNR; MDARD; and Department of Technology, Management and Budget in celebration of Bring Your Child to Work Day.

Collateral Damage, A Movie Screening & Talk: 7-9 p.m., Edgewood United Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing. Celebrate Earth Day with a free screening of "Scarred Lands & Wounded Lives", followed by a panel discussion on the environmental impacts of war and militarism hosted by the Greater Lansing United Nations Association. Find event information here.

April 20

Earth Day Storytime: (ages 2-6), 10:30-11:30 a.m. Capital Area District Libraries Mason branch, 145 W. Ash St., Mason. Registration required, call 676-9088 or visit their website.

April 21

Earth Day Extravaganza: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing. Register to volunteer here. You also can visit their Facebook page.

Meridian Spring Recycling Event: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chippewa Middle School, 4000 Okemos Rd., Okemos. Bring your bikes, electronics, paint, metal, household items and more to this event designed to help you recycle those difficult to dispose of items. Click here for more information.

Lansing Earth Project Trail & River Clean up: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lansing City Market, 325 City Market Dr., Lansing. Litter pickup will take place on land along the river trail, and on the Grand River if conditions are safe. Earn discounts to future kayaking with River Town Adventures when you join in. Click here for more information.

Dome Roam 5K Fun Run Walk Roll: Noon. Registration at 11 a.m. at the “Rock” on Farm Lane by Fairchild Auditorium in the center of the MSU campus, East Lansing. The route runs predominately along the Red Cedar River, with a loop in the center of the MSU campus. Proceeds will help build the Student Biodome, the future tropical garden conservatory at MSU. The Biodome will bring plants from around the world for you to enjoy. Cost is $25 per person, $20 for students. For more information and to register, visit their website.

East Lansing's Big Green Gig, 3-6 p.m. Valley Court Park, behind Biggby Coffee in East Lansing. The Big Green Gig is a local Earth Day festival celebrating the environment and community. Local musicians will provide entertainment and local food trucks will be present. Student environmental groups will have kid-friendly activities. If you go to all of the activities, you will be entered in the raffle.

Presented to you by East Lansing’s Community Relations Coalition and MSU’s Green Alliance. For more information, click here.

April 22

Earth Day Walkabout: A Guided Walk, 2-3 p.m. April 22. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Okemos. Cost is $3 a person or $7 a family. For more information, click here or contact 349-3866 or email hnc@meridian.mi.us.

Earth Day at MSU: Join University Activities Board organizers for a guided meditation at The Rock, beginning at 7 p.m., followed by a nature hike through the Sanford Nature Area beginning at 8:30 p.m. Participants must show student ID. Click here for more information.

Earth Day at Hop Cat: Hop Cat will be partnering with and raising funds for 15 different non-profit organizations. Hopcat East Lansing is partnering with the Ingham County Land Bank Garden Program.

Participating breweries will donate $1 of every pint sold to Ingham County Land Bank Garden Program, in which HopCat will match, up to $300.

Also, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., a representative from Ingham County Land Bank Garden Program will have a table set up in HopCat to share more information about the great work that they do within our community, as well as opportunities to get involved!

Click here for more information.

April 28

“Going Solar” Presentation: At The Islamic Center of East Lansing, 920 S. Harrison Road, several organizations will co-host a presentation on “Going Solar” from noon-1 p.m. Topics will include recent solar panel installations in the greater Lansing area, names of installers working locally at competitive prices and the 30% federal tax credit. Information will be relevant to both single-family homes and larger buildings such as churches, with ample time for questions. This event is organized and co-sponsored by Haslett Community Church, The Islamic Center of East Lansing, Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, Solarize Meridian and University Lutheran Church. All are welcome and the event is free. Refreshments provided. For more information, click here or email info@lansingislam.com.

More:

An Earth Day 'Brunch on the Farm' with FARE: eat differently at Swallowtail Farm

Tips on how to be less 'trashy' for Earth Day

Ongoing

Earth Day 5K/10K Virtual Race: Complete your race any time during the month of April, even better if you can do it on Earth Day, April 22. This is a virtual race; you choose to complete a 5K or 10K, complete it on your own and submit your time to Virtual Run Events who will then ship your medal directly to you.

Cost is $18, and at least 15% of every entry will be donated to Wild Earth Allies. Register at www.virtualrunevents.com/earth-day-5k-10k.

Capital City Clean Sweep: May 8, Noon – 3 p.m., begins with lunch at City Hall Plaza. Join volunteers from across the region to help clean up and beautify the city of Lansing. Email holly@downtownlansing.org for more information or to sign up a team.

Did we miss anything?

If you know of an Earth Day activity or event in Greater Lansing that's not on this list, please email events@lsj.com and let us know. We are looking for events that are open to the public only. Contact us with questions.