Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22 since 1970, is dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring sustainable action to protect our planet.
This year, local cities, nonprofits and businesses across Sonoma County are offering a variety of ways to get involved and make a difference — from eco-friendly festivals and wildflower walks to plant sales and volunteer days in community parks.
Here’s how you can celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County.
Events
Sonoma Valley Cleanup Day, April 19
Sonoma County Regional Parks is partnering with Rotary Sonoma Springs, Homeless Action Sonoma and Sonoma Ecology Center for two volunteer creek cleanups at Sonoma’s Larson Park and Maxwell Farms Regional Park. Tools and snacks will be provided, but guests are asked to bring their own water, dress in layers and bring sun protection. The cleanups will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon, April 19. To volunteer for the creek cleanup at Larson Park, register here. To volunteer for the creek cleanup at Maxwell Farms, register here. Larson Park, 329 DeChene Ave.; Maxwell Farms, 100 Verano Ave., Sonoma, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Earth Stewardship Volunteer and Fun Day at Sonoma Garden Park, April 19
The Sonoma Ecology Center will host a free volunteer day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 19 at Sonoma Garden Park. The event will offer the community an opportunity to get their hands dirty helping in the garden until 11:30 a.m., followed by fun nature-inspired activities and an egg hunt. No experience is necessary. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and bring garden gloves. RSVP for the event here. Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 Seventh St. E., Sonoma, sonomaecologycenter.org
Earth Day Open House at Laguna Environmental Center, April 19
Join the Laguna Environmental Center for an Earth Day open house from noon to 3 p.m. at the center. The event will include a guided tour of the center’s native plant garden, at 1 or 2 p.m., along with a native plant sale. There will also be opportunities for bird-watching on the observation deck and a last chance to see the art exhibit, “Sonoma Impressions,” at Heron Hall Art Gallery. Activities for children include a play area with a living willow tunnel and a nature-inspired craft station. Reservations are not required, but donations are welcome on Eventbrite. 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org
Earth Day Wildflower Walks at Sugarloaf, April 19 and 22
In collaboration with Sonoma Ecology Center, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park will host two Earth Day wildflower walks. The first — from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., April 19 — will join Certified California Naturalist John Lynch on a stroll along Vista Trail’s manzanita forests and seasonal pond via Lower Bald Mountain and returning to the White Barn (the starting point) on Meadow Trail. Sugarloaf’s evening wildflower walk, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., April 22, will also meet at the White Barn for a 2-mile hike with 250-foot elevation gain. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for youth 12-17 and free for children under 12. Purchase tickets for the April 19 event here and for the April 22 event here. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org
Earth Day Lower Russian River Cleanup, April 22
The Russian Riverkeeper will host an Earth Day cleanup of the Lower Russian River Watershed from 9-11 a.m., starting at Sunset Beach off River Road in Forestville. All supplies will be provided and there will be free parking available. Sign up online. Sunset Beach, 11403 River Road, Forestville, russianriverkeeper.org
Earth Day at Montage Healdsburg, April 22
Montage Healdsburg will host two Earth Day events April 22. At 11 a.m., the resort’s outdoor recreation hub Compass Sports will host a hike starting among heritage oaks at the 155-acre Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve. Reservations are required and exclusively available to resort guests. The hike is $55 per guest. Book online. At the resort’s Spa Montage, there will be an Earth Day sound bath meditation experience starting at 4:30 p.m., available to resort guests and those 16 and older. The transformative wellness session will include reflective journaling. Reservations are required; book online. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montage.com/healdsburg
Earth Day Bioblitz with Sonoma Land Trust, April 22
Sonoma Land Trust will host an “Earth Day Bioblitz“ from 4-6 p.m. on the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway by Montgomery High School. The event will kick off with a brief orientation, followed by a presentation from guest speaker Sarah Reid, who will demonstrate how to use the iNaturalist app and share tips for capturing great photos for species identification. Afterward, participants are invited to explore the Greenway, photographing and documenting the nature they discover. The event is free, but space is limited — reserve your spot on Eventbrite. Southeast Greenway, 1370 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org
Earth Day Trash Cleanup in Windsor, April 22
To help protect local creeks and the Russian River, the Town of Windsor’s Storm Water Quality Program will host two free community trash cleanup events from 4-5:30 p.m., April 22. One event will start at the corner park near Victory and Hembree lanes, and the other at the picnic tables near Market Street and McClelland Drive. Meet at one of the designated locations to pick up safety vests, trash pickers, gloves and bags. Participants will receive a free gift and snacks. Sign up for the Victory and Hembree cleanup on Eventbrite, and for the Market Street and McClelland Drive cleanup on Eventbrite. Windsor, 707-838-5385, stormwater@townofwindsor.com
Earth Day Plant Sale at SSU, April 22-24
Sonoma State University’s Biology Graduate Students Club will host an Earth Day plant sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 22-24, in the Darwin Lobby. A variety of plants will be available, including some hand-grown selections from club members and offerings from local shops. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, sonoma.edu
Earth Day in the City of Sonoma, April 22-26
Sonoma’s 55th annual Earth Day celebration will include a “Hidden Gems” Photography Contest and a Green Business of the Year Award to recognize a sustainable local business. Winners of the photo contest and Green Business of the Year Award will be announced April 22. One of Sonoma’s Earth Day community events includes a film screening of the documentary “The Last of the Nightingales” from 1-2:30 p.m., April 26, at Sebastiani Theatre (476 First St. E.). The City of Sonoma website has virtual learning activities for people to test their ecology knowledge. Sonoma, 707-339-2534, sonomacity.org
Climate Action Night at SRJC, April 24
Santa Rosa Junior College will host its annual Climate Action Night from 5-7 p.m. April 24 in the Bertolini Student Center. The event aims to educate the public on taking action for local ecological sustainability and climate justice. College and high school students will present in a science fair-style format, sharing information and helping attendees learn how to contact elected officials in support of environmental legislation. Topics will include agricultural composting, climate-friendly transportation, geothermal energy development and more. RSVP for Climate Action Night here. 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, climateactionnight.com
Earth Day at Safari West, April 26
Sonoma’s Serengeti will host an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 26. Enjoy a safari adventure and meet over 40 conservation groups from the Bay Area and beyond on the lawn, where you will learn about California’s flora and fauna. Special guests include members from Pepperwood Preserve, River Otter Ecology Project, Stewards of the Coasts and Redwoods, The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County and East Bay Vivarium (who will bring live animals). Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite animal. 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com
Earth Day Festival at Courthouse Square, April 26
The City of Santa Rosa will host its annual Earth Day Festival from noon to 4 p.m. on April 26 at Old Courthouse Square. The free festival will include over 50 exhibitors, kids’ crafts and activities, a beer and wine garden, a live performing arts showcase and local eco-friendly products. Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition will provide free bike parking and local buses will be free all Earth Day. Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, srcity.org
Circuit Rider Earth Day Celebration, April 27
Local nonprofit Circuit Rider will host an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 27, at its Ecological Center in Windsor. The event will include educational workshops and hands-on activities, such as native plant potting and DIY bee houses. There will also be refreshments as well as a raffle and silent auction to support youth-led ecological projects. Email karina.zappa@circuitridercs.org to learn more or RSVP. 9619 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-838-6641, circuitridercs.org
Volunteer
Sonoma County is home to a wealth of parks, preserves, and environmental organizations that offer volunteer opportunities year round. Tasks range from trail restoration to litter cleanup and invasive plant removal.
Here’s where you can volunteer your time this Earth Day — and beyond — across the county.
Daily Acts: Petaluma-based nonprofit with a holistic approach toward environmental health with a mission to inspire transformative action to create climate resilient communities. 707-789-9664, dailyacts.org/volunteer
Forest Unlimited: Forestville organization aiming to protect, enhance and restore the forests and watersheds of Sonoma County. 707-632-6070, forestunlimited.org/take-action/volunteer-for-forest-unlimited
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation: Santa Rosa nonprofit focused on restoring and conserving the Laguna de Santa Rosa and surrounding wetlands. 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org/volunteer.html
LandPaths: Santa Rosa-based organization dedicated to fostering a love of the land in Sonoma County through stewardship and outdoor experiences. 707-544-7284, landpaths.org/participate
Pepperwood Preserve: Santa Rosa biological preserve with a mission to inspire conservation and care of the earth through science. 707-591-9310, pepperwoodpreserve.org/volunteer
Russian Riverkeeper: Healdsburg-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Russian River. 707-433-1958, russianriverkeeper.org/volunteer
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District: Ag + Open Space works to protect the county’s open spaces, agricultural lands and natural resources. 707-565-7360, sonomaopenspace.org/get-involved/volunteer-patrol
Sonoma County Conservation Action: Grassroots political organizing group working to ensure there’s environmental representation in Sonoma County government. 707-571-8566, conservationaction.org/get-involved
Sonoma County Regional Parks: More than 50 parks and beaches across the county offering camping, hiking and biking trails, bird watching, horseback riding, swimming and fishing to the public. 707-565-3356, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/support/volunteer
Sonoma Land Trust: Santa Rosa-based nonprofit organization working to conserve scenic, natural, agricultural and open landscapes for the future generations of Sonoma County. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org/outings
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods: Nonprofit environmental organization working with California State Parks in the Russian River District to cultivate land stewardship, establish environmental education programs and restore local natural habitats. 707-869-9177, stewardscr.org/volunteer-opportunities
Find more local organizations and nonprofits to volunteer with or donate to on the Sonoma County Conservation Council’s directory of environmental groups.
Places to buy plants, produce and garden supplies
Celebrate Earth Day in your own backyard by planting native plants to connect with nature and aid pollinators. There’s an abundance of farms and nurseries in Sonoma County where you can get plants and seeds, gardening supplies, boxes of sustainably sourced produce and more.
MIX Garden
1531 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-4327, mixgarden.com
Prickett’s Nursery
Locations in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, prickettsnursery.com
King’s Nursery
1212 13th St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-4782, kingsflowernursery.com
Bennett Valley Gardens
2780 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-569-8624, bennettvalleygardens.com
Swede’s Feeds
9140 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com
Flatbed Farm
13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen, flatbedfarm.com
Sonoma Mission Gardens
851 Craig Ave., Sonoma, 707-938-5775, sonomamissiongardens.com
Wine Country Garden Center
21095 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-2727, winecountrygardencenter.com
Sonoma Valley Wholesale Nursery
19655 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-732-8019, sonomavalleynursery.com
Petaluma Bounty
1500 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-775-3663, petalumabounty.org
Petaluma Seed Bank
110 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-773-1336, rareseeds.com/petaluma-seed-bank
Cottage Gardens of Petaluma
3995 Emerald Drive, Petaluma, 707-781-9365, cottagegardensofpet.com
Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
Locations in Petaluma and Sebastopol, 707-823-9125, harmonyfarm.com
Botanica Nursery and Gardens (formerly Hidden Forest Nursery)
3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol, 707-823-6832, botanicanurseryandgardens.com
Check out more specialty nurseries in Sonoma County, as well as our favorite farmstands, for locally sourced plants and produce.