Here is a message from California State Parks:
Natural Resources Agency and State Parks Celebrate Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary Virtually
Celebrate Earth Day’s 50th anniversary Wednesday, April 22, with California Natural Resources Agency (Resources Agency) and California State Parks. The anniversary will be commemorated with a variety of events—all done virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic—to mark this special day.
The first Earth Day launched the modern environmental movement and this year’s theme is climate action. From the first Earth Day to this 50th Earth Day, the celebration focuses on informing and mobilizing people worldwide to help protect and restore our planet.
All week from Monday, April 20, to Friday, April 24, Resources Agency will feature a series of online Earth Day events, including the launch of an educational portal full of fun resources from different departments to bring nature and science to all, a talk by Secretary Wade Crowfoot and guests reflecting on this anniversary and looking ahead to the next 50 years, as well as TED Talks by different scientists on what they’re working on to protect our natural resources.
California State Parks also will virtually celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. On Wednesday, April 22, the public is invited to commemorate the day on Facebook as state park interpreters share various efforts for climate action to ensure the preservation of cultural, natural and historical resources within the nation’s largest state park system for future generations. State Parks interpreters will be broadcasting live from a variety of parks across the state and the public will have an opportunity to engage with them on a multitude of exciting programs.
Here’s the schedule of the various activities State Parks will be sharing live:
9 a.m. Coffee with a Ranger
11 a.m. Our First Ever Earth Day 2020 Game Show!
1 p.m. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with Secretary Wade Crowfoot
2 p.m. Earth Day 2020 Game Show 2nd Round!
4 p.m. AquaSmart Live – Clean and Green Puppet Show
5 p.m. Earth Day Wrap-up with a Ranger
Throughout the day other programs will be offered by State Parks for the public to engage with nature around their home during the stay-at-home order and to help flatten the COVID-19 curve. In between livestreaming events there will be opportunities for the public to participate in Earth Day challenges such as the Parks in Your Home Challenge and the Backyard BioBlitz. In the Parks in Your Home Challenge, State Parks is asking the public to share a one-minute interpretive program on social media and tag it with #ParksInYourHomeChallege to celebrate the natural and cultural wonders that inspire Californians where they live. The Backyard Bioblitz encourages the public to go on an adventure to discover and identify the interesting variety of plant life around their homes by using iNaturalist app.
Make sure to watch out for updates and information in the next few days on California State Parks’ Facebook account on how you can take part in climate action for Earth Day and every day with California State Parks!
EARTH DAY 2020
Join us for a week of online events celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!
APRIL 20
#CalEarthDay50 Social Media Kickoff:
Join the Natural Resources Agency and departments all week on social media as we share how we are celebrating Earth Day. Share how you are celebrating Earth Day with #CalEarthDay50, #HowISaveThePlanet, and #WhyISaveThePlanet.
APRIL 22
Earth Day Secretary Speaker Series:
Join Secretary Crowfoot and special guests to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in today’s current climate and look ahead to the next 50 years.
APRIL 23
Natural Resources Science “Ted Talks”:
Learn about different science underway at the Natural Resources Agency. Hear directly from scientists on what they’re doing to protect and enhance our natural resources.
APRIL 24
Nature Near You Bioblitz:
The Natural Resources Agency is teaming up with the California Academy of Sciences for a neighborhood bioblitz. Join a global network of people by downloading the iNaturalist app, and start observing, sharing, and discussing nature found near you.
