Established in 1970 Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 as a day to demonstrate and support environmental protection and preservation. Whether you’re living a sustainable lifestyle or are just looking to take steps to take better care of the Earth and your family, there’s an Earth Day activity locally here in Lake County that will meet your needs!
Earth Week in Lake County
Educational Events | Recycling Events | Celebrations | Clean-ups | Tours
Many of these events require prior registration so please check the listing and call ahead before heading out. If registration is required spots were available at the time of publication.
Environmental Education Events in Lake County
Astronomy Night at Volo Bog
April 19, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 West Brandenburg Rd., Ingleside, 60041
The Lake County Astronomical Society welcomes people of all ages who are interested in the science of astronomy. Classroom discussion starts at 8:30 followed by the star party.
Earth Day EcoFair
April 27, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Antioch Township Center, 1625 Deep Lake Rd., Lake Villa, 60046
Learn about ways to enjoy and protect the environment. Visit vendors with earth-friendly products. Gather information about alternative energy, native plants, and animals. Kids – enter your creation in the recycling poster contest! Raffle prizes and much more eco-family fun!
Earth Week Pond Study
April 22, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Grant Woods, 25405 West Monaville Rd., Lake Villa, 60046
Celebrate Earth Day by collecting and identifying pond critters, and learn how scientists use this information to determine the health of our ponds, lakes and rivers. Adult supervision required. Please dress for the weather and wear close-toed shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy.
Earth Week: Salamander Storytime
April 25, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area. Riverwoods 60015
Meet a live salamander, participate in an interactive story, and hike on the trail in search of local salamander species.
Earth Week: Amazing Race Letterboxing
April 26, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Lakewood Forest Preserve, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Rd., Wauconda, 60084
Bring the family and go on an amazing race adventure by following letterbox clues while learning more about Lake County plants & animals. The walk will be approximately 0.5 mile.
Earth Day Walk
April 27, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
McDonald Woods, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd. , Glencoe, 60022
Regular parking rates apply.
Take a special guided walk through McDonald Woods to celebrate Earth Day. Learn about the on-going McDonald Woods restoration efforts as well as how you can get involved in the Garden’s Budburst citizen science program will also be part of this informative and timely walk in honor of Earth Day.
Earth Week: Amphibian Amble
April 28, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago, 60064
Join the LCFPD for an evening walk to search for frogs and salamanders. Learn why these amphibians are an indicator species and what they tell us about our local watershed.
Earth Day Celebrations in Lake County
Earth Day Nature Play
April 20, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Rd., Barrington, 60010
Play, plant, paint and pretend. Special Earth Day family-fun activities near the Visitor Center.
Earth Day Expo & Beat Bugs Show
April 20, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Hawthorn Mall, Vernon Hills
Enjoy Earth Day Crafts, Enter to Win Raffle, Face Painting as well as a live performance by In the Green Productions and a sing-a-long with Beat Bugs.
Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pederson Preserve, Hart Rd. & W. Count Line Rd., Barrington, 60010
Join Barrington Area Conservation Trust in a conservation event that joins the entire community in celebrating Earth Week! Participants will plant native plants, clear buckthorn and help with habitat restoration. Children are welcome! Crafts and educational opportunities will be available for those younger land stewards in the community.
Earth Day
April 22, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Warren Newport Public Library, 224 O’Plaine Rd., Gurnee, 60031
Honor the earth with an eco-friendly craft and other Earth Day activities. For grades K-5.
Earth Day Family Event
April 22, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Century Park, Vernon Hills
Celebrate the 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration with environmentally friendly giveaways, games, crafts, entertainment, and a nature walk.
Make your Own Seed Bombs
April 22, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake
Celebrate Earth Day by creating seed bombs to plant in your garden. All materials will be provided.
Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Bowen Park, 39 Jack Benny Dr., Waukegan, 60087
Event includes a drum circle and a showing of the documentary “Straws” followed by a discussion on single use plastics and how to recycle.
Earth Week Playdate with Nature
April 23, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Independence Grove, 16300 Buckley Rd., Libertyville, 60048
Move your kids outdoors for unstructured seasonal play activities, proven healthful and beneficial. Celebrate seasonal fun outdoors. Exploration and imagination; muck and build in mud, scoop in water, hunt for critters.
Adult supervision required.
Earth Day Celebration
April 27, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Prairie Grass Nature Museum, 860 Hart Rd., Round Lake
Admission: $1
Reduce, reuse, recycle! With this motto in mind, use our re-purposing stations to create small items or gifts. Bring your creativity and dress to get messy
Earth Day Celebration
April 28, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Heritage Park, 100 Community Boulveard, Wheeling 60090
Celebrate Earth Week with the whole family. Take a nature walk, view the butterfly garden, and fly your own kite. Exhibitors are on hand to present information on the environment and answer all your questions about how to make our planet a better place.
Recycling Events in Lake County
See individual links for accepted items and limits.
Lindenhurst Celebrates Earth Day
April 20, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Collecting: Textiles, clothing, shoes, and hangers.
Full details under Earth Day Celebrations.
Earth Day Expo & Beat Bugs Show
April 20, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Collecting: shoes and plastic grocery bags
Electronic Recycling Drop-Off
April 22 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
State Representative Sam Yingling, 1919 IL Rt. 83, Round Lake Beach, 60073
Collecting: Electronics
See How to Recycle old Bicycles for upcoming bike recycling events.
Earth Day Clean-up Events for Families
Get your hands dirty while cleaning up the Earth at one of these hands-on activities for families. Some events have age restrictions and some have pre-registration so please check each listing before heading out.
Earth Day Clean-up
April 19, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Glencoe
Children in grades K-8 are invited to celebrate Earth Day by volunteering to help clean-up various sites throughout Glencoe. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Lindenhurst Celebrates Earth Day
April 20, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Full details under Earth Day Celebrations.
Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Full details under Earth Day Celebrations.
Buckthorn Busters
April 25, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Old School Forest Preserve, 28285 N. St. Mary’s Rd., Libertyville, 60048
Grab your work gloves and drop in to help improve habitat health. Buckthorn is having a negative impact all over the county. Adult supervision required.
3rd Annual Lakefront Clean-up
April 27, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Waukegan/Joseph Conrad Yacht Club, 199 N. Harbor Pl., Waukegan
Waukegan Harbor & Marina will provide gloves, trash bags, and trash pickers. This year’s event is sponsored by Waukegan Harbor & Marina, Waukegan Police Department, City of Waukegan and Waukegan Harbor Citizen’s Advisory Group. Last years event collected over 1,000 pounds of trash!
How will you be showing your love for Mother Earth?
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