For over 50 years, Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22. We can all do our part to thank our Earth for providing us with air, land and water. Whether you choose to show your appreciation by picking up litter, walking or cycling to your nearby destination, growing plants that attract pollinators, or adding a rain barrel to collect and reuse rainwater, the options are endless.
Below are some upcoming events that you can participate in. Please note that some events require registration.
Earth Day Related Events
Annual Clean Up Green Up – On now to Oct. 29
This year BurlingtonGreen is celebrating their 15-year anniversary and hope to have 15,000 people participate in their annual community Clean Up Green Up. Register your school, community group, family or business and help BurlingtonGreen reach their goal. Report your clean up data for your chance to win an eco-prize. You can choose to participate anytime between now and the Oct. 29, 2023, using your own clean-up supplies or pick some up while quantities last. Additional information is available on the Clean Up Green up web page.
Burlington Butt Blitz – April
Did you know that cigarette butts are the most common form of litter globally and cause negative impacts on our environment when not disposed of properly? To help raise awareness and remove the butts from our environment, a national Butt Blitz is taking place in April to remove 1 million butts. Locally, the Burlington Butt Blitz is being coordinated by BurlingtonGreen. Anyone 19 years or older can participate in cigarette litter cleanups and bring the collected butts to BurlingtonGreen for proper disposal with Terracycle.
Celebrate Earth Day with BurlingtonGreen – April 22
BurlingtonGreen is hosting eco-activities at their Eco-Hub headquarters on the beach, 1094 Lakeshore Rd., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fun and family-friendly activities include pollinator seed ball making, a guided tree walk, shoreline clean up, a repair cafe, e-bike raffle opportunity, cycling giveaways, and more.
Earth Day Tree Planting Event – April 22
The City of Burlington and BurlingtonGreen are organizing a tree planting event at Millcroft Park, 4250 Millcroft Park Dr., starting at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine. A total of 500 trees will be planted and 10 lucky participants will each win a tree to plant at their Burlington home. Advance registration is required at burlingtongreen.org. Space is limited. Participants are asked to bring their own shovels and gardening gloves.
Tree Giveaway – April 29
The City of Burlington is giving away trees to residents with a limit of one tree per property in Burlington. To receive a free tree, you must register in advance and have a vehicle able to safely transport the tree. The trees will be in 5-gallon pots, weigh between 13-23 kg (30-50 lbs) and be 1.5-2.1 m (5-7 feet) in total height. Quantities and types of trees are limited.
Trees can be picked up from the Roads, Parks and Forestry Operation Centre Parking Lot, 897 Cumberland Ave., Burlington on April 29. The pickup time is dependent on the species selected but will range between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Registration is open until April 18, 2023 or while quantities last.
Other Events in April and May
Your City: Taking Climate Action – April 13
Hosted by the Bay Area Climate Change Council, the cities of Burlington and Hamilton will highlight how they’re working to take action on climate change. Register for the one-hour event taking place from 7 to 8 p.m. at Eventbrite.
Healthy Neighboursheds Spring Series – April 26, May 3 and 10
Do you want to create beautiful, healthy gardens that help direct rainwater away from your home, use less energy and resources while attracting pollinators and increasing biodiversity, and benefit water quality? Then this series, presented by Conservation Halton, is for you.
Register for one or all online sessions which run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Please note that there is a cost of $9 per session.
Spring Electronic Waste Drive – May 13
BurlingtonGreen is teaming up with the Burlington Centre and the Burlington Repair Café to help you eliminate clutter from your homes, offices, schools and community centres. Located at the Burlington Centre parking lot, 777 Guelph Line, crew members from Electronic Recycling Association will be onsite to accept computer and cell phone electronics. A series of Terracycle Zero Waste bines will also be stationed at the event to accept unique waste items not currently accepted in Halton Region’s recycling program.
Connection to Burlington’s Climate Initiatives
Trees and natural areas, or green infrastructure, are an important part of being a climate resilient community. Trees capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also provide shade and cooling, reducing the urban heat island effect, and help reduce runoff and erosion when it rains.
Restoring our natural environment helps to increase biodiversity and provides suitable habitats for pollinators.
Interested in finding more about the City’s climate initiatives? Visit burlington.ca/environment or check out other Take Action Burlington blog posts.
Take Action Burlington! Let’s show our appreciation for our planet by reducing our impact and helping to restore our environment. Collectively we can make a difference.
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