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Last updated on March 27, 2024

Earth Day is an opportunity to give back to Mother Earth. There are so many ways to do this that it can feel overwhelming to attempt to give back what nature provides to us. We’re here to help by giving you seven ways you can make a big impact this Earth Day. Virginia State Parks are hosting Earth Day events between April 20-27, 2024, across the commonwealth to make it even easier for you to give back. This year's theme is "Planet vs. Plastics".

1. Plant natives for nature 

 Monarch butterfly on butterfly milkweed in Kiptopeke State Park’s Native Plant Garden
A monarch butterfly on native butterfly milkweed in Kiptopeke State Park’s Native Plant Garden  

Say thank you to pollinators this Earth Day by planting native, pollinator-friendly plants. Native species are those that naturally occur in the region in which they evolved. Since plants evolve over time, native plants possess certain traits that make them uniquely adapted to local conditions and provide the best resources to wildlife.  

The following parks are hosting planting events:  

2. Remove invasive plants

Invasive plants are species that have been introduced to our environment, are out of place and cause harm to our biodiversity. Invasive plants often crowd out or even kill native plants. Removing invasive species helps native flora and fauna to thrive with their native habitat.  

Removing invasives at Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Removing invasive plants at Staunton River Battlefield State Park

Learn which plants are invasive at Virginia State Parks by attending a removal event, such as the following.  

3. Clean up a trail

9 visitors and a park ranger stand proudly on a trail holding bags of trash and tires they cleaned up
A successful cleanup at James River State Park 

Virginia State Parks depend on volunteers to help us maintain our 700+ miles of trails. Enjoy a hike and feel good about making the trail look better than how you found it by going to one of the following events. 

4. Clean up a beach or waterway

Help improve water quality by removing trash from beaches, creeks, lakes, etc. Trash in natural waterways doesn’t only look bad, it can harm wildlife and pollute our drinking water.  

Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park. Photo by Bob Diller
Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park. Photo by Bob Diller

Get creative by turning trash into treasure after a park cleanup. Participants are challenged to create a work of art out of the litter they collected at the following events. 

5. Participate in community science

Community science (aka citizen science or participatory science) is simply observing nature and logging it publicly to share what you find. An example of community science is counting birds you see in an environment and logging what you spot in eBird — an online database of bird observations. This data provides scientists, researchers and naturalists with real-time information on bird migration and population. 

Birdwatching at Claytor Lake State Park
Birdwatching at Claytor Lake State Park 

Engage in community science by participating in a bird count at New River Trail State Park on the newly developed Ivanhoe Birding Trail. You can also participate in the "Restore our Earth" Wild Bird Survey at High Bridge Trail State Park. 

Eastern bluebirds scout out areas for nesting early in the spring season. Help them out by building bluebird boxes at Powhatan State Park and Natural Tunnel State Park. Make a bird feeder at Westmoreland State Park's A Park in your Backyard event.

Visitors show off their kestrel boxes (bird houses)
Visitors show off their kestrel boxes (bird houses) made at Caledon State Park
 

6. Recycling and Composting Events

Make a difference this Earth Day by donating your plastics. Learning about recycling, upcycling and composting at workshops at various parks. 

7. Plant a tree

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”— Greek proverb  

This quote sums up how planting a tree is a selfless act. Shade is just one benefit from trees! Planting a tree improves the environment immediately by providing more oxygen and habitat for wildlife like birds. Plus, trees like the state tree flowering dogwood add beauty to landscaping!  

Tree planting at Bear Creek Lake State Park
Tree planting at Bear Creek Lake State Park in 2022


Thank you for looking for ways to help our environment this Earth Day! We hope Virginia State Parks inspires you to take care of the world around you every day. 

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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