Earth Day Celebrations Around Columbia

Columbia Wide Clean-Up Day, April 14, 9 a.m. – 12

Bring your family, scout troop, neighbors and friends to Claret hall to begin a neighborhood project of collecting trash behind Gentle Call past Ascending Moon path along the pathway that parallels MD32. To register your group, call 410-531-1749 or email riverhill@villageofriverhill.org.

GreenFest – Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The 5th annual GreenFest will be held at Howard Community College. This year’s theme is “Saving the Environment One Yard at a Time.” This free event offers something for all ages including green vendors, mini farmers’ market, workshops, recycling and reuse collections, paper shredding, tree planting, rain barrel and gardening workshops, an outdoor playspace, and a wildlife room with live birds of prey, turtles and snakes.

Please visit Howard County’s website www.howardcountymd.gov for more information.

Project Clean Stream – Sunday, April 15, 12-3 p.m.

The Howard County Natural Resources Division is leading a stream cleanup of the Patuxent Branch Trail. Participants will meet in the park’s parking lot, across the street  from 9175 Guilford Rd, Columbia.  No experience required. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and gloves. Bring your own drinks.  Volunteers will be moving tires and metal out  of one section and doing a general litter cleanup along another section. Community service hours available! Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

Email Sue Muller at smuller@howardcountymd.gov to sign up or if you have questions.

20 Minute Cleanup – Thursday, April 19

20 Minute Cleanup is a Howard County-wide effort to remove trash from the environment and raise awareness of the problem of littering. People all over Howard County will get outside for a quick cleanup of litter anytime that day in an area of their choice. Last year over 1500 people participated! This is a satisfying and easy project for businesses, schools, HOA’s, Scout Troops, and individuals.  For more details  please visit www.livegreenhoward.com website or email 20minutecleanup@howardcountymd.gov

Earth Day with Recreation and Parks – Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. -Noon

Volunteers can plant trees with Howard County’s Department of Recreation and Parks in West Friendship Park.  Email Volunteer Coordinator Ann Combs at acombs@howardcountymd.gov to sign up or ask questions.

Howard County Conservancy Earth Day Event – Saturday, April 21, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Visit www.hcconservancy.org for more information.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway

The Patapsco Heritage Greenway is doing a number of Project Clean Stream cleanups. Please visit www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org/index.html for more information on locations and times.