7 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2021 in Bergen County
Our area is hosting a handful of in-person, socially-distanced Earth Day events this week and next.
Earth Day celebrations, like every other celebration, were put on hold in 2020 for obvious reasons, but they’re back for Earth Day 2021. This international holiday is about bettering our planet and supporting our environment, and this year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth,” a sentiment that’s more important than ever after the world has been ravaged as of late by both climate change and the pandemic.
But what’s an Earth Day celebration if it’s done in front of a computer screen rather than in the great outdoors? Thankfully, there are plenty of in-person, COVID-safe ways to take part in Earth Day 2021 in and around Bergen County. Here are a few not to miss listed in the order that they’re happening—just be sure to mask up and keep your distance!
Earth Day Hike at Jackie Jones Mountain, Suffern. Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Technically this is not in Bergen County but it’s worth the trip up north for a hike at Harriman State Park. The guided tour will take visitors along the Bear Mountain Trail, with an optional trip up to the Jackie Jones Fire Tower, which offers breathtaking views of Lake Welsh and Manhattan. Register HERE.
Northern Valley Earth Fair, Norwood. Saturday, April 24, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Green and sustainable are the names of the game at this Earth Fair, held at 177 Summit St. in Norwood. The whole family will enjoy live music, a nature show, a bee exhibit, crafts, a petting zoo and food trucks.
Green Week: Earth Day to Arbor Day at Thielke Arboretum, Glen Rock. Saturday, April 24–Friday, April 30, times vary. If you can’t commit to just one of the Earth Day events listed here, the Glen Rock arboretum has you covered with a full week of environment-centric programming. Highlights include recycling scavenger hunts, nature walks, gardening advice, tree identification for kids and more. Check out the full schedule HERE.
Teaneck Creek Conservancy Volunteer Clean-Up, Teaneck. Sunday, April 25, 10–11 a.m. Bring your kids and join your neighbors for an hour of cleaning up the trash on the trails, woods and creek at the Fycke Lane entrance to Teaneck Creek. Sanitizer and garbage bags will be provided, but it’s recommended that you bring your own gloves. Register HERE.
Sustainable Crafts and 60 Year Celebration at Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly. Sunday, April 25, 2–4 p.m. Celebrate 60 years of TNC and the 51st anniversary of Earth Day with a fun sustainable craft for kids (or the kids at heart). Afterward, help keep the park clean by walking the trails and picking up litter. Register HERE (tickets are $5 for non-members).
Earth Day Green Fair, Ridgefield Park. Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. This all-day fair at Riverfront Park has something for everyone, including live music, fishing with the Hudson Fisherman’s Association, boat rides with the Hackensack Riverkeeper available all day. Each hour has a different show on the schedule from the likes of Mad Science, the Tenafly Nature Center and even one about the past, present and future of bats.
Nature Walk and Volunteer Day at Demarest Nature Center, Demarest. Saturday, May 1 at 10 a.m. Join a naturalist on an educational hike and then pick up litter on the trails. Meet by the Imaginative Playground—and come armed with your own gloves!
