Sample Activities 

Following are a list of activities that your organization might want to sponsor in conjunction with Earth Day. These could be conducted in a school(s), mall, park, library, or at some other location. It is important to identify the primary goal(s) and the target audience before beginning.

• Team up with a recycling agency to conduct a trash-clean up of area streams, highways, parks, trails, vacant lots or other key places.
• Conduct stream seining demonstrations and investigations.
• Conduct a canoe float to increase understanding of nonpoint source pollution.
• Submit Earth Day press releases to local media dealing with topics of soil and water conservation. You might also want to team up with other environmental agencies to have an expanded series of environmental topics for newspapers, radio, and/or television. Topics might also appear as a series in each agency's newsletter.
• Conduct a field day in conjunction with Earth Day.
• Present a workshop on “Planning an Earth Day Event at Your School.” Invite representatives from area schools to participate in the workshop, so that they can coordinate an Earth Day event at their school.
• Re-package a watershed festival into an Earth Day event, or plan a completely new event
• Team up with a local theater group or high school drama club to present an Earth Day play at the local mall, area libraries, in schools, and at other locations. Donations or grants can assist with costumes, props, freebies and other things needed to compliment the event. A fashion show comprised of recycled items could also be a part of the fun.
• Ask the county commissioners' or Mayor's office to issue an Earth Day proclamation. (See a sample of an Earth Day proclamation.)
• Conduct a bicycle tour, walking trail, or drive-it-yourself tour to highlight best management practices that address nonpoint source pollution problems.

Earth Day Event—Case Scenario Agenda

Of all of the Earth Day activities that one could choose from, the Earth Day event is, quite possibly, the most involved and time-consuming. For assistance with the planning of an Earth Day event, a sample "Who, What, When, Where & Why of Planning an Earth Day Event" timeline follows:

Who, What, When, Where and Why of Planning an Earth Day Event—Sample Timeline 

I. Who

A. First determine if the event will be conducted for staff and students at a specific school(s), or if it is for the general public. If it is for a school, the following people will need to be involved:

• Principal
• Teachers—all teachers, or a planning committee that informs the other teachers
• Students
• Curriculum consultants for the school districts
• Custodial staff
• Cafeteria staff (if special foods will be served)

B. If the event is for a school or the general public, involve these individuals:

• Resource personnel from environmental organizations, governmental agencies, community groups, and business and industry. (Be sure that their mission statements are compatible with the overall goal of the event)
• Schools who may bring students on a day-of-event field trip and participate in pre- event contests and activities
• Volunteers/Parents
• Government officials who might want to attend and issue a proclamation
• EMS, security personnel, scouting groups for clean-up, and other like-minded groups

II. What

A. School Events:

• In-school activities on the day of the event could involve themed rooms (e.g., oceans, stream life, soils, and other environmental subject areas). Children could rotate in small groups from room to room to complete hands-on activities. Whole group activities involving games, presentations, speakers, and other special activities could be held in the gymnasium, or other large room.

B. General pre-Earth Day events:

• Some general pre-Earth Day events could include recycling, tree planting, environmental surveys of schools and neighborhoods, and/or contests.

C. Day of Event Earth Day activities:

• Activities on the day of the event could involve hands-on activities presented by environmental and other agencies or groups, special displays, speakers, dramatic presentations, and other special programs.
• Participants could complete an “environmental passport” at each station.

III. When

  A. Suggested event planning timeline is as follows:

• At the minimum, start planning at least five to six months in advance.
• One to two years in advance is ideal for a large event that will be attended by the general public. To begin, organize the planning committee (monthly meetings are ideal), determine date and location of the event, and confirm with scheduling personnel. Define theme of the event, identify target audience, establish objectives, determine key activities, identify budget, contact environmental educators, librarians and others to do programs; contact sponsors and, it appropriate, seek grant funding.
• Three to four months in advance (or sooner): Determine supplies needed, start to order and assemble materials, seek and schedule volunteers.
• Two month in advance: Start to generate excitement through contests, publicity, special events, speakers, public service announcements and other methods. Obtain liability insurance if needed
• One month to two weeks: Publicize the event if appropriate, develop media packet, call media for on-site coverage, contact speakers to re-confirm their participation on the day of the event, conduct pre-event activities such as flower planting, speakers, and other related programs if desired; map out floor plan/table set-up assignments, and other logistics for the event.
• Develop one or more evaluation forms geared to students, teachers, volunteers and others as needed.
• Day before the event: Finalize last minute details. Set up room(s), gym, tents, whatever with aid of volunteers and other personnel.
• Day of the event: Have “ambassadors” greet speakers and special guests; Assign a person to hand out media packets. Have volunteers assigned to assist with carrying items, set-up and other tasks; offer restroom and lunch breaks to exhibitors/presenters. Serve lunch if affordable. Collect evaluation forms. If possible, enter those who complete and return the evaluation form in a prize drawing. If you collect their name and address, you might also offer them the option of being included in future mailings related to the event.
• After the event: Rest, self-evaluate, review comments from participants, send thank you letters to everyone involved, especially sponsors and funders, start planning for next year!

IV. Where

1. What areas will be utilized? (e.g., parks, museums, schools, mall). Is it an indoor or outdoor event? Are there any special considerations such as sound or lighting equipment? Will exhibitors be offered the chance to use electricity? Is parking adequate for cars and buses? Are tents needed? Are there any fire codes? Are fire extinguishers required in tents or other buildings? Is liability insurance needed? Are there site rental fees? If food is served, are there health regulations or placement considerations based on electricity? Are restroom facilities and trash receptacles adequate? If not, where will recycling containers and portable toilets be placed?
2. How will the clientele rotate? Will it be from tent to tent, display-to-display, room to room or at will? Is a staging area needed?

V. Why

1. Increases knowledge and skills related to the environment and conservation. Supports school curriculum and proficiency test outcomes
2. Offers clientele significant conservation experiences
3. Motivates people to take environmentally responsible action (positive behavior)
4. Provides an opportunity to establish liaisons with outside resource people, local schools, parents, volunteers, government officials and others who are working together for a common goal.
5. Could lead to an annual educational event
6. Fun!

Resources 

For a free copy of “The Happy Earth Day Activities Book,” contact Region 5 EPA at: Office of Public Affairs, Chicago, IL 60604. Ask for document #905-M90-002. The activity pages may be photocopied, and are geared to lower elementary students.

Websites

• Earth day Network: http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/edn/
• All Species Project: http://www.allspecies.org/
• Celebrate Earth Day Catalog: http://www.greateventspublishing.com/Default.asp
• Kid's Domain: http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/earthday/
• Earth Day Grocery Project: http://www.earthdaybags.org
• These and many more sites are listed at http://eelink.net/