SPRING CLEANUP: Among the activities offered on Earth Day is the tidying up of the Mapleton Preserve sponsored by Kingston Greenways.

By Anne Levin

Back when Earth Day was born on April 22, 1970, the idea was to inspire support for environmental protection. More than five decades later, the message is clearer than ever — many would say it is dire.

But the annual event on April 22, which is held locally and globally, is meant more as a celebration of the environment and an opportunity to get to work sprucing it up than a day to ponder its demise. Earthday.org has coined “Invest in Our Planet” as the official theme for Earth Day 2023, which reportedly includes one billion people in more than 193 countries.

In the Princeton area, there are numerous activities to join in the days leading up to Earth Day, and on the day itself. Participants can get their hands dirty cleaning up a local preserve, park, or stream; listen to a talk; take a hike; and invest in native plantings.

S.H.R.E.D. Fest gets things off to a start on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westminster Choir College parking lot off Franklin Avenue. A Rain Barrel and Composter Sale is being held in conjunction with the shredding event, which is open to Princeton residents. Visit Princetonnj.gov/1386/Shred-Fest for more information.

On Wednesday, April 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Sustainable Minds virtual speaker series will feature Cindy Taylor, Princeton’s open space manager, talking with Renata Barnes, the director of programming and community engagement, about what the town is doing to make its green spaces more resilient to climate change, and how to make them accessible to all. Visit bit.ly/register-openspace.

D&R Greenway Land Trust is holding its Spring 2023 Native Plant Sale to coincide with Earth Day and the two days that precede it, at Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place. More than 50 species of healthy local plants are ready for purchase.

“Planting natives enhances home gardens in natural beauty, attracts butterflies and birds in the landscape, and contributes to protection of a health bioregion,” reads a release from the nonprofit. Dates are Thursday, April 20 from 12-4 p.m.; Friday, April 21 from 1-4 p.m.; and Saturday, April 22 from 9-11:30 a.m. Visit drgreenway.org for more information.

An Earth Day scavenger hunt is planned for the Plainsboro Library, 9 Van Doren Street in Plainsboro, on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22. The event is held all day both days, for all ages. No registration is required.

Take part in a stream cleanup at Hilltop Park, 782 Bunn Drive, on April 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. Sponsored by the Princeton Environmental Commission and The Watershed Institute, the event rewards participants with a free tree sapling. Pre-register at thewatershed.org.

Kingston Greenways marks Earth Day April 22 with two cleanup sessions.

The first, from 9 to 11 a.m., is at Laurel Avenue and the vicinity of the Rockingham Historic Site. Meet at the Rockingham lot, 84 Laurel Avenue, Kingston. The second event is from 2 to 4 p.m. at Mapleton Preserve (park along Railroad Avenue off Ridge Road), where volunteers will collect trash. Gloves, vests, and garbage bags are provided. Visit kingstongreenways.org to sign up.

Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with spring planting sessions of native species from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 30 Mountain Avenue. Visit fopos.org to register.

Earth Day is Spring Cleanup Day at Princeton Battlefield State Park, where a pizza party and tours of the historic Thomas Clarke House reward volunteers’ efforts. Gloves and tools are provided, but bring your own if you have them. Pre-register at pbs1777.org.

Friends of Herrontown Woods celebrate Earth Day on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by exploring and learning about nature. This is the second year for the event, which includes a Flowers and Frogs Family Hike with local botanist Stephen Hiltner and other naturalists; a talk with inventor Mike Strizki on his Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle; hands-on display tables in the Botanical Art Garden (Barden) near the Veblen House; mushroom foraging; nature photography; and much more. May’s Café popup will serve Small World Coffee, baked treats, and lunch fare throughout the day. Bike racks will be available. Visit Herrontownwoods.org for more information.

A Community Green Fair is held at Morven, 55 Stockton Street, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 22. Tours of the historic garden, demonstrations of electric lawn equipment, native flower crafts, yoga on the lawn, local food vendors, free bike repairs and bike valet parking, and a flock of composting chickens are among the attractions. Sustainable Princeton will hold a do-it-yourself trash can upcycling workshop to turn old cans into rain barrels or composters. For that event, registration is required at sustainableprinceton.org.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) hosts a “Swap-o-Rama” on April 22 from 1 to 4 p.m., to bring new life into old clothes. The idea is to bring clothing that is still in good shape, but not worn anymore, to trade with others.

“The Environmental Protection Agency reports that we generate 16 million tons of textile waste annually, and that is just here in the United States,” reads a release from the ACP. “Approximately 700,000 tons of clothing gets exported, and estimates for recycled clothing are near 2.5 million tons worldwide.”

Registration is $25 and includes instruction, access to sewing machines, fabric, notions, and other supplies. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org to register.

An Earth Day hike on April 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. takes place in the Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Road in Cranbury. This event is guided and free, and geared to all ages. Call (609) 799-4013 for more information.

Unless indicated otherwise, admission is free for these events. Participants are encouraged to walk, bike, or carpool.