Celebrate Earth Day

With both Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 29) right around the corner, this is a great time to remind our children just how important it is to take care of this planet we call home. Below are some great opportunities to celebrate our Earth this month in and around Hamilton County:

Recycle old electronics at Tom Wood Suburu

With the help of Recycle Force, the folks at Tom Wood Suburu on E. 96th Street will take old electronics off your hands. As an added bonus, they will also be handing out seedlings (a Redbud or Buttonbush) to customers who bring in electronics.

• Date/Time: Friday, April 22. 7:30am-2pm
• Location: Tom Wood Subaru, 330 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis

Take part in Mission Monarch at Cool Creek Park

Celebrate Earth Day by learning all about monarchs and the importance of native plants to butterfly pollinators. Learn how to grow milkweed and take home your own milkweed plants so you can jump-start your garden and provide needed habitat for
monarchs.

• Date/Time: Saturday, April 23. 1-4pm
• Location: Cool Creek Nature Park, 2000-1 East 151st Street, Carmel

Head to Z’GreenFest of Zionsville

Now in its 10th year, this festival brings the community together to celebrate sustainability, protection and conservation of our natural resources. Learn how to attract bluebirds or participate in a rain gardening workshop.Kid’s activities include face painting, crafts, games and a Library Story Walk. Anderson Beck will provide hands-on interactive music.

• Date/Time: Sunday, April 24. 2-5pm.
• Location: Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Library, 250 N. 5th Street, Zionsville

Get creative during Fishers Parks and Recreation’s Flamingo Decorating Competition

As a Tree City USA member for the seventh consecutive year, Fishers takes great pride in its Arbor Day celebration, and this year they are bringing back their Flamingo Decorating competition.Pick up a flamingo now-thru April 28th and decorate as a family. Drop your creation off in time for public voting on April 29th when the Nickel Plate Amphitheater shows family-friendly film Pixels. FREE.

• Date/Time: Now-Thursday, April 28.
• Location: Fishers Parks & Recreation Office – City Hall, 1 Municipal Drive, Fishers

Attend the Arbor Day Celebration at Conner Prairie

It’s a perfect time to get outside and explore nature! During the Arbor Day celebration at Conner Prairie, talk with foresters, discover what trees grow in Indiana and how they are used, and meet local craftsmen as they demonstrate their skills. Stop in at the carpenter’s shop in 1836 Prairietown to find out how wood was historically used, and explore the grounds to see how many different types of trees you can identify. How about making your own Treetop Outpost? End the visit by getting your own free tree to take home and plant (while supplies last).

• Date/Time: Friday, April 29. 
• Location: Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Fishers

Take your little ones on an Exploration Celebration at Founders Park

This afternoon of nature exploration with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation will include hands-on learning about plants and bugs, a scavenger hunt in the woods and nature-themed crafts. Registration requested. FREE.

• Date/Time: Saturday, April 30. 10am-2pm
• Location: Founders Park, 11675 Hazel Dell Parkway, Carmel