By Anne Levin

Since the very first Earth Day was organized on April 22, 1970, environmentally-conscious citizens across the globe have been mobilizing to try and protect the planet. The theme this year, “Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet,” is especially relevant as the Trump administration makes no secret of its intention to dismantle climate action.

According to Earthday.org, some 550 cities and towns will be holding Earth Action Day events on and around April 22. As usual, Princeton is among them. Among the environmentally-centered events in which the public can take part are stewardship sessions, cleanups of local preserves, exhibits, and festivals.

Local activities begin on Sunday, April 13 (new date) at Herrontown Woods with a day of exploring and learning in nature from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Stewarding Your Local Environment” is sponsored by Friends of Herrontown Woods at 600 Snowden Lane, and all are invited. Visit herrontownwoods.org for more information.

Princeton University’s Office of Sustainability holds its Earth Month Festival on Friday, April 25 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on the Frist South Lawn. An ever-expanding list of sustainability-themed student organizations and departments are providing the activities, which include games, free plants, food, even clothing alterations. Visit sustain.princeton.edu for more information.

Morven Museum and Garden, 55 Stockton Street, is the site of Sustainable Princeton’s Earth Festival and Trashion Show on Sunday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Innovative fashions made from recycled and repurposed materials are the focus on the Trashion Show (participation is for those aged 8 and up). Food, live music, and yoga are also on the agenda. Visit sustainableprinceton.org for more information.

The New Jersey State Museum on West State Street in Trenton holds an “Earth Day & Ecosystems” family event on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The new exhibition “Ecosystems at Risk: Threatened and Endangered in New Jersey” is on display. Talks on water health and tidal marshlands, a gardening station, bird activity station, interactive sandbox, a planetarium show titled We are Guardians, and urban birdwatching (weather permitting) are among the activities.

There are multiple opportunities for those willing to get their hands dirty. Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) is holding a land stewardship volunteer event on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. A community pot luck is held from 12-1 p.m. Light refreshments are provided and native plants will be given away.

There are two sessions — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.— led by FOPOS stewardship staff. Volunteers help with riparian and forest restoration and plant native species. Bring a water bottle, work gloves, and hand tools if you have them; wear long sleeves and pants to keep the ticks and poison ivy away. Visit fopos.org.

On Saturday, April 19, Kingston Greenways Association invites volunteers to help with cleanup of Laurel Avenue and the vicinity of the Rockingham Historic Site, from just north of Kingston up to Route 518, from 9-11 a.m. An afternoon session from 2-4 p.m. is held at the Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road. The focus there is on picking up trash in the Preserve and along Mapleton Road. Grabbers, gloves, orange vests, and garbage bags are provided. The cleanups are held rain or shine. Visit kingstongreenways.org.

Those venturing into New York City can take part in a free Earth Day festival in Union Square on April 17, from 12-6 p.m. Planned are booths, interactive workshops, and other activities. For those who observe from home, the Earth Day Virtual Stage features discussions around critical climate issues with such notables as Bill Nye the Science Guy and actor Robert Downey Jr., among others. Visit earthdayinitiative.org for details.