22 things to do for Earth Day in Toronto

By Jeff Cottrill

We’ve only got one planet to live on, so we should try our best to take care of it better. (I’m talking about Earth, in case you were a little confused). Every April 22, we’re reminded of this via Earth Day, a worldwide event in which cities and communities everywhere recognize the need for environmental protection. This year’s Earth Day conveniently falls on a Saturday, and as always, Toronto has plenty going on. Here are 22 events and things to do that happen before, during and after Earth Day, where you can show your support and celebrate Mother Earth. [Photo credit: iStock]

How can we make Toronto more hospitable for wild pollinators? This five-hour workshop discusses the growing population and diversity of urban bees and how to support them, including nest building and garden planting. Participants also learn the basics of beehives, such as the different types and components. Part of the Arboretum’s Sustainable Urban Beekeeping series of classes.

• When: April 15, 10 am to 3 pm
• Admission: $75 registration fee
• Where: Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology
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A short Lunch and Learn session by Toronto and Region Conservation, offering a homeowners’ guide to stormwater-friendly landscaping using rain barrels, rain chains, rain gardens and permeable paving. You even get your own free copy of the Greening Your Grounds Homeowner’s Guide. Preregistration is encouraged.

• When: April 19, 12 pm to 12:45 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology
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The Toronto chapter of Green Drinks, an international network of environmental workers, holds its annual Earth Week shindig with free snacks, one free drink per attendee and even a mechanical bull. Proceeds from ticket sales go to Earth Day Canada’s new program, EarthPLAY, which promotes outdoor play for kids.

• When: April 19, 6 pm to 9:30 pm
• Admission: $26.48
• Where: Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon
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The Gladstone’s fifth annual exhibition of landscape and contemporary art inspired by nature and ecology, blending a garden show with numerous creative disciplines. Events include a food festival, a flea market and a talk with artists Monica Guttierez, John Haney and Martha Barron Griffith.

• When: April 19, 7 pm to 9 pm; April 20 and 21, 11 am to 10 pm; April 22, 10 am to 9 pm; April 23, 10 am to 5 pm
• Admission: $10 general, $25 families of four and student groups; individual students get in for $5 on April 21, which is Student Day
• Where: The Gladstone Hotel
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You know him as the former mayor, but David Miller is now the president and CEO of WWF Canada. The Rotary Club of Toronto is hosting Miller for a special Earth Day talk at the Fairmont’s Confederation Room 5 and 6. No word on whether you must be a Rotary member to attend.

• When: April 21 at 12 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Fairmont Royal York Hotel
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The City of Toronto and Clean Toronto Together is asking businesses across the municipality to allow employees to take twenty minutes out of their workday to find a public space – whether that’s a parkette, sidewalk or laneway – and clean it up. Registration closes on April 11.

• When: April 21, 2 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Citywide
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The City is also encouraging residents, organizations and community groups to remove litter in designated public spaces. Participants can pick up garbage and recycling bags in advance at City Hall, selected recreation centres and some Pizza Pizza locations. Registration closes on April 13.

• When: April 22 and 23, times scheduled by registrees
• Admission: Free
• Where: Citywide
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Celebrate Toronto, an organization that promotes our city’s history and culture, is collaborating with Pitch In Canada to clean up litter on Black Creek and at Black Creek on the southeast side of Lawrence Avenue West. Trash bags and gloves are provided.

• When: April 22, time TBA
• Admission: Free
• Where: Black Creek Drive
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With the assistance of Bullfrog Power, the Toronto Zoo hosts workshops and activity stations to teach kids of all ages to reduce waste and greenhouse gases. Hands-on workshops show how to make keychains and other accessories from recycled material, build a tire swing and mend clothing. The Toronto Zoo is also selling rain barrels that can be pre-purchased and picked up that weekend.

• When: April 22 and 23, 10 am to 4 pm
• Admission: $23 adults and teens, $18 seniors, $14 kids under 13, free for kids under three
• Where: Toronto Zoo
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Kids both big and small are invited to Trinity Bellwood’s “Wild About Canada” pop-up adventure playground, which is part of Earth Day Canada’s aforementioned EarthPLAY program. It’s a chance for children to rediscover the joys of outdoor play, with minimal supervision.

• When: April 22, 11 am to 3 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
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The TBG is a great place to be close to nature, and it’s observing Earth Day with a family-friendly event in the Teaching Garden. Visitors can help plant the garden, make nature crafts, listen to stories with a nature theme and learn about wildlife in the city. You can even get a free smoothie.

• When: April 22, 12 pm to 4 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Toronto Botanical Garden
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One of the oldest historical sites in the city has the skinny on how people used to respect the environment in the olden days, offering information on “make do and mend” habits. Families can learn how to create green-friendly artwork and take a tour of the Wildflower Preserve.

• When: April 22, 12 pm to 4 pm
• Admission: $6.19 adults, $3.54 seniors and teens, $2.65 kids under 13, free for kids under six
• Where: Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum
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The West Toronto Junction Historical Society and Toronto Green Community lead this walking tour along the former path of Wendigo Creek, with discussion of where the water went and how to rebuild the city’s natural water cycle. Group meets at Malta Park, Dundas Street West and St. John’s Road.

• When: April 22, 2 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: High Park
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The Morningside library invites kids to compete in a one-hour indoor scavenger hunt, in which they can find hidden objects while learning about Earth and simple ways to keep it sustainable. Suitable for children of preschool and school age.

• When: April 22, 2 pm to 3 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Toronto Public Library, Morningside Branch
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Another Scarborough library event, but this one’s aimed at all ages, from preschoolers to adults. Visitors get to see a real worm bin in action while learning about vermicomposting and its benefits, as well as how to help Monarch butterflies, honeybees and other endangered pollinators. You even get your own free milkweed seeds.

• When: April 22, 2 pm to 3 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Toronto Public Library, Malvern Branch
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The west end’s best second-run movie house shows Vicki Lean’s 2015 documentary After the Last River, about the First Nations community of Attawapiskat in northwestern Ontario and its ongoing water and infrastructure crises. It’s not just a film screening, though; there will also be an audience Q&A with Lean, as well as music by The Métis Fiddler Quartet.

• When: April 22, 4 pm
• Admission: $17, or $15 for students or “Bronze/Silver Members”
• Where: Revue Cinema
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Brought to you by Redwing Institute, Earth includes the co-creation of an Earth Day-inspired painting with artist Bareket Kezwer, plus talks by mindfulness coach and yogi Brigid Dineen and experiential learning leader Lisa Gervais. There’s also organix food by vegan chef Nathan Isberg, the owner of awai.

• When: April 22, 6:30 pm to 10 pm
• Admission: $150 plus HST
• Where: awai Restaurant
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Evergreen Brick Works celebrates Earth Day weekend with a ninety-minute nature hike through the Don Valley, starting from the Children’s Garden. It’s a chance to see trees, flowers and other plants as they bloom into spring – but participants will also pick up and dispose of litter. Let’s hope the weather cooperates.

• When: April 23, 10:30 am
• Admission: Free
• Where: Evergreen Brick Works
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For those who’d rather cycle than stroll, Evergreen Brick Works also offers an obstacle course for bikers of all ages, with the help of nearby Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop. And children don’t even have to bring their own bikes: there are bikes with training wheels available for kids from three to five and those without for ages six and older. Parental supervision is mandatory, though.

• When: April 23, 11 am to 2 pm
• Admission: PWYC ($5 suggested)
• Where: Evergreen Brick Works
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This park in north T.O. is holding its annual Earth Day tree planting, but it’s also a celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, so there are additional activities going on. The planting is part of the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute, which aims to plant 117,000 trees (one for each lost Canadian soldier since 1867) between Trenton and Toronto.

• When: April 23, 11 am to 4 pm
• Admission: Free, but a non-perishable food item is required, as is preregistration.
• Where: Downsview Park
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The ROM gets into the Earth Day spirit with nature-themed, hands-on activities: a live insect showcase from Sault Ste. Marie’s Entomica insectarium; a Wildlife Preservation Canada exhibit on the different types of bumble bees; and a chance to learn about exotic animals.

• When: April 23, 11 am to 4 pm
• Admission: $20 adults, $17 seniors, $15.50 students and teens aged 15-19, $14 for kids under 14, free for kids under four
• Where: Royal Ontario Museum
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The Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue and its Greening Committee join Michael Levitt, the federal MP for York Centre, in Downsview Park for more tree planting.

• When: April 23, 11 am to 4 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Downsview Park
• More Event Info