Earth Day celebration at Stinson Beach on Sunday, April 22, 10 am–3 pm. Photo: Marco Sanchez.

Earth Day 2018 takes place on Sunday, April 22. It’s a great time to celebrate and teach our children the importance of preserving our planet’s resources. Families will find plenty of ways to observe the occasion here in Marin and the Bay Area, and we've created a list of local Earth Day events, volunteer opportunities, or ways to celebrate nature and the planet.

Saturday, April 14

• Earth Day 2018
  Oakland Zoo
  Saturday, April 14, 10 am–3 pm
  Celebrate our beautiful planet, and the power of your own voice and actions with over 50 hands-on Earth Stations and local environmental organizations! For all ages. Zoo admission applies. Location: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Event details.
• Marine Science Institute's Earth Day on the Bay
  Redwood City
  Saturday, April 14, 10:30 am–4 pm
  Free family fun for all ages. Activities include: arts & crafts, touch a shark, ride a boat, animal exploration, environmental fair, live music and more. Location: 500 Discovery Parkway, Redwood City. Event details.
• My Earth Day Marin
  Various locations throughout Marin County
  Friday, April 14–Wednesday, April 26
  The My Earth Day Marin Coalition will host a wide variety of service projects, e-waste collection and activities throughout Marin County in honor of Earth Day. Most events are for all ages and abilities. Visit My Earth Day Marin for more info and a complete list of opportunities.

Saturday, April 21

• Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
  Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley
  Saturday, April 21
  Come experience the national parks! On four days in 2018, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Event details.
• Earth Day at China Camp
  San Rafael
  Saturday, April 21, 8:30 am–3 pm
  This is the 20th annual Earth Day event sponsored by California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) and once again FOCC is participating. Please join us for a morning of invasive plant removal, split rail fence repair, wood splitting, firewood bundling and trail grooming. There is something for everyone. Registration begins at 8:30 am and lunch provided at noon. After lunch there will be a hike from 1–3 pm. Register here. Event details.
• Earth Day at Hal Brown Park
  Hal Brown Park at Creekside, Greenbrae
  Saturday, April 21, 9 am–noon
  Join us to clean up litter from the Corte Madera Creek watershed and restore habitat at Hal Brown Park at Creekside. All skill levels are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. All ages are welcome; anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Dress in layers you can get dirty, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and a pair of gloves. Snacks will be provided. Location: Meet across from Marin General Hospital at Hal Brown Park at Creekside (at the pedestrian bridge near the bike path). Questions or to RSVP: Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kirk Schroeder at (415) 763-2977. Event details.
• "Back into the Earth" Day
  Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco
  Saturday, April 21, 9 am–noon
  Join the archaeology team as they get “back into the earth” and kick off the 2018 excavation season! This is your chance to get dirty with the archaeologists by helping to remove the sand that protects the site during the off-season. Don’t worry, we’ll provide the shovels. Family-friendly. RSVP here. Location: Archaeology Field Station across from the Presidio Officers' Club. Event details.
• Novato Clean & Green Day
  City of Novato Civic Green
  Saturday, April 21, 9 am–1 pm
  Bring the family and celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up our beautiful town.Help remove litter from schools, city streets, median strips, creek banks, parks & bike paths. Some supplies will be provided. Sponsored by the Novato Streetscape Committee. For more information or to register, please leave message on the Clean and Green hotline (415) 899-8244. Meet at Novato Civic Green, 901 Sherman Avenue. Event details.
• Presidio Earth Day
  Fort Scott Field, San Francisco
  Saturday, April 21, 9 am–2 pm
  Join us for Presidio's annual volunteer event devoted to celebrating Earth Day! We’re excited, yet again, to be a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area's Earth Week celebration.. As a part of this event, Presidio volunteers are invited to bring friends and family for a morning of stewardship projects with a BBQ Potluck to follow. All ages are welcome, and there will be a volunteer project activity geared towards families with children 9 years-old and younger. Registration is required for this Earth Day event! Event details.
• Celebrate Earth Day at Samuel P. Taylor Park
  Lagunitas
  Saturday, April 21, 9:30 am–1 pm
  Join us for a morning of learning and helping at one of our favorite local parks. We will be offering several walks suitable for families with kids along local trails and Lagunitas Creek with local naturalists to learn more about the native flora and fauna that live in this park. To help preserve the integrity of the Park’s plant communities, help us remove a variety of invasive weeds that are pushing out our favorite native wildflowers. Location: 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, about 15 miles west of the Sir Francis Drake exit on Hwy 101. Event details.
• Earth Day Beach Cleanup hosted by Aquarium of the Bay
  Aquatic Park, San Francisco
  Saturday, April 21, 10 am–1 pm
  Aquarium of the Bay will celebrate with a special beach cleanup at Aquatic Park alongside our longtime partner, SF Maritime National Historical Park. Register online here. Event details.
• Family Nature Day Honoring Elizabeth Terwilliger
  Stafford Lake Park, Novato
  Saturday, April 21, 10 am–2 pm
  Celebrate Earth Day and learn about our local wildlife “Mrs. T-style.” Go for a naturalist-led hike (bilingual Spanish hike also offered). Catch and release frogs and newts using dip-nets. Meet WildCare’s live non-releasable, educational, Ambassador Animals. Explore and touch taxidermy from WildCare’s Nature Van. Do a “Nature Scavenger Hunt Challenge”. Create a wildlife-themed arts and crafts project. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lake shore. Location: Novato Boulevard, Picnic Area #2. There is a $5 parking fee at Stafford Lake. Event details.
• Earth Day at Kent Island Restoration
  Wharf Road, Bolinas
  Saturday, April 21, 10 am–2 pm
  Be a part of the team working to restore the unique ecosystem on Kent Island in Bolinas Lagoon! All skill levels are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. It is possible for volunteers as young as 5 years old to join if teamed with a parent or guardian. Dress in layers you can get dirty, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Rubber boots strongly recommended, although not required. Snacks, lunch, and extra water will be provided.pace is limited, so RSVP to save a spot! Questions or to RSVP Contact Volunteer Coordinator Greg Reza at [email protected] or (415) 473-3778. Event details.
• Earth Day 2018
  Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing, San Francisco
  Saturday, April 21, 10 am–2 pm
  Join us as we celebrate Earth Day for a day of fun, family-friendly activities at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing! Free and open to the public. Event details.
• John Muir Birthday–Earth Day Celebration
  John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez
  Saturday, April 21, 10 am–4 pm
  Celebrate Earth Day and John Muir's birthday. The celebration will include misc, stories, recycled fashion show, silent auction and a birthday cake. Location: 4202 Alhambra Avenue at Highway 4 in Martinez. Event details.
• Earth Day Celebration
  Quarryhill Botanical Garden, Glen Ellen
  Saturday, April 21, 11 am–3 pm
  Bring the entire family (all ages welcome) for a day of fun and celebrate Earth Day at Quarryhill Botanical Garden. Activities include arts and crafts, face painting, wildlife displays, music and dance performances, lion dancers, and more. Free admission; $10 parking fee per car (cash only). Location: 12841 Highway 12 in Glen Ellen. Event details.
• Earth Day San Francisco
  Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco
  Saturday, April 21, 11 am–7 pm
  On Saturday April 21st celebrate the 49th year of Earth Day, and the 100 year anniversary of the Save the Redwoods League. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Stand for the Redwoods/Stand for the Future“. This unique partnership  includes a “Redwood Canopy Tent” featuring renowned speakers and panel discussions with participation from the Save the Redwoods League, Bioneers, the California Academy of Science, and SF Sustainable Fashion Week. Talks will go throughout the day with topics including conservation, climate change, recycling, and the intersection of politics, technology and the environment. Event details.
• Earth Day OnStage
  Santa Rosa City Hall
  Saturday, April 21, noon–4 pm
  Santa Rosa’s annual Earth Day festival is a FREE, family-friendly event that brings the community together through live performances On Stage, local and earth friendly products, and eco-friendly crafts and activities for kids. Celebrate the Earth with great people, local food, beer, and wine! Location: Courthouse Square, 25 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa. Event details.

Sunday, April 22

• Earth Day at Stinson Beach
  Stinson Beach
  Sunday, April 22, 10 am – 12 pm
  Join Marin County Parks, One Tam, and GGNRA volunteers to remove litter from Stinson Beach and Upton Beach. All skill levels are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. All ages are welcome; anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Dress in layers you can get dirty, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water. Please bring gloves if you have them. Snacks, lunch and extra water will be provided. In the event of heavy rain and/or high winds call (415) 763-2977 to find out about event status. In the event of cancellation, program will be rescheduled. RSVP’s are appreciated but not required. Questions or to RSVP: Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kirk Schroeder at  (415) 763-2977. Event details.
• Celebrate Earth Day with Safari West
  Santa Rosa
  Sunday, April, 22, 10 am–2 pm
  There’s no better place to appreciate the beauty of planet Earth than right here on the Sonoma Serengeti! The Safari West Nairobi bus ventures out to explore herds of Giraffe and antelope, Long-horned Cattle, and our awe inspiring Southern White Rhinos! Trek loops last for 35-40 minutes and so are great for even the youngest members of your herd! the Nariobi bus will depart every 45 minutes. Only 20 seats available for each loop so reserve your spot today! A special lunch is included and will be served from 11:30 am–2:30 pm. Tickets (includes tour and lunch): $50 per adults, $25 per child, toddler (1-–2 yrs) free. Book your trek before arriving. Purchase tickets here.
• Free Create-with-Nature Earth Day Celebration
  Stinson Beach
  Sunday, April 22, 10 am–3 pm
  Celebrate Earth Day by creating art on the beach! Join in as community members, professional artists, and passers-by construct sculpture using sand, rocks, shells, seaweed and other beach treasures. The event starts with beach cleanup (bags and gloves supplied). Event details.
• Earth Day Celebration with Charity Kahn
  Mill Valley Library
  Sunday, April 22, 11 am
  Join us in the Main Reading Room of the Library for an Earth Day Concert with Charity Kahn!   Get your dancing shoes on and be ready to jam, sing, and spin while celebrating Mother Earth! For all ages. Free. Location: 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Celebrate Earth Day
  Tam High School, Mill Valley
  Sunday, April 22, 2–5 pm
  Come celebrate Earth Day with art, music and talks on how we can all take care of mother earth. All ages welcome to this free event (children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult). RSVP to get your free tickets here. Location: Student Center, Homestead Boulevard, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Earth Day Campfire
  Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
  Sunday, April 22, 7–9:30 pm
  Join us for a fun, interactive evening celebrating Earth Day as we listen to owls hoot, catch a glimpse of bats at dinner hour, and learn about the nighttime habits of Spring Lake Park’s nocturnal residents. We'll have a leisurely night walk followed by games, poems, songs, stories and s'mores around the campfire. Come dressed in layers with comfortable walking shoes, a flashlight, and a water bottle. This is a bilingual (Spanish/English) program. Meet at the Group Campsite from the Newanga Avenue entrance. Free. Parking $7 or free for Regional Parks members. For more information, call (707) 565-7888 or visit their website.