While we believe that every day is Earth Day around here, this special day is the time to show our planet some extra love and appreciation. In Western Montana’s Glacier Country, we’re gearing up for a week of Earth Day celebrations dedicated to treasuring this place we call home.
EARTH DAY EDUCATION
Expand your eco-consciousness and learn how you can do your part for the planet at the following Earth Day educational events in Glacier Country.
Earth Day Expo in Kalispell, April 20
Enjoy hands-on learning and conversations in sustainable solutions and environmental initiatives in the Flathead Valley. Explore panels on issues facing the region, booths featuring local community groups, and workshops about saving money and polluting less. You’ll also find engaging activities for kids, including a live raptor display, an augmented reality sandbox, and more.
All Under One Roof Earth Week in Missoula, April 20-27
Join Missoula Public Library, spectrUM Discovery Area, Families First, UM Living Lab, and MCAT for a week of Earth Day celebrations. Discover how air quality, wildfires and smoke impact our planet and learn how to make a difference with engaging activities for the whole family. From nature journaling to exploring environmental issues in Montana, there’s something for everyone.
MUD Earth Day in Missoula, April 21
Missoula Urban Demonstration Project’s 18th annual Earth Day celebration theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” and Missoula’s thriving sustainability community will be on display with hands-on demonstrations showcasing sustainable living skills, an environmental expo, workshops, educational programs, as well as live local music and an ice cream truck.
EARTH DAY ADVENTURES
Celebrate the planet and our extraordinary region with earth-minded activities and fun for the whole family.
WildWalk + WildFest in Missoula, April 20
Come join the pack and celebrate all things wild! Dress up as your favorite flora or fauna and walk, hop or crawl down Missoula’s Higgins Avenue toward the XXXX’s, where the WildFest will begin at 11:30 a.m., (just after the WildWalk ends). Enjoy live music, food trucks and fun activities featuring wildlife and conservation.
Run for the Trees in Missoula, April 20
Lace up your sneakers and hit the trails in support of Missoula’s Urban Forests. Join Run Wild Missoula and Missoula Parks & Recreation for this much-loved community event, including a 5k, 10k, and 1-mile fun run. All participants will receive a tree sapling, courtesy of Trees for Missoula.
Beginning Bird Walk at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville, April 20
Discover the avian wonders of Western Montana with expert guides. Join Larry Weeks and Five Valleys Audubon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a birding adventure. Observe and identify our feathered friends in the Bitterroot Valley on the refuge’s visitor center ponds and Kenai Trail as well as in the Wildlife Viewing Area.
International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, April 20-25
Immerse yourself in a weeklong run of captivating films that showcase the beauty and diversity of our natural world. In addition to showings, enjoy lively Q&As and engaging panel discussions with filmmakers, producers, conservationists and biologists, plus inventive programming and a wildly fun experience for all.
Spring Song Circle Plant Walk in Missoula, April 21
Honor Mother Earth’s gifts at a celebration and song circle with Sacred Ally Empowerment Arts Center. Bring a blanket and gather for an enchanting morning of solidarity, music and connection to the earth. Raise your voice in celebration of life’s cycles, expressing gratitude for our planet’s abundance. Following the circle, if weather permits, enjoy a peaceful river walk and cozy up around a bonfire for stories and laughter.
EARTH DAY CLEANUPS
Pitch in for the planet with these cleanup events around Western Montana that allow you to give back to your own backyard.
Earth Day Celebration: Star Peak #999 in Noxon, April 20
Roll up your sleeves and help maintain our precious trails and wilderness areas. Join in on clearing fallen trees, repairing tread and trimming vegetation. Afterward, refuel with hamburgers and hot dogs at Big Eddy Campground. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and sunscreen. Don’t forget your work gloves!
Flathead River Cleanup in Columbia Falls, April 21
Join forces to keep our waterways pristine and free of debris. Wild Montana’s Flathead-Kootenai Chapter and the Flathead Rivers Alliance are teaming up to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up several fishing access sites along the Middle and North forks of the Flathead River.
Annual Clark Fork River Cleanup in Missoula, April 21
Take part in this community-wide effort to preserve the health of the Clark Fork River by cleaning up trash along the riverbank before spring runoff and high water hits. Come together for a good cause and celebrate this river we love so much.
6th Annual Earth Day Cleanup by the Reserve St. Bridge in Missoula, April 23
Come out to help pick up trash and brainstorm ideas for the future of the natural floodplain area by the Reserve St. Bridge, including the development of a park with trails connecting nearby neighborhoods. Bring your work gloves and suitable shoes or boots.
Beautification Days in Thompson Falls, April 25-27
Help the Thompson Falls Main Street group “spruce up, clean up, pick up” this vibrant community for a cleaner, greener future. Dig out your pruning shears and gardening gloves and sign up for this 3-day event to keep Thompson Falls beautiful.
EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY IN WESTERN MONTANA
Let’s make this Earth Day one to remember as we come together to learn, celebrate and take action for this place we call home. Let’s also remember to always recreate responsibly so we can protect and preserve this place and our natural treasures for generations to come.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents Recreate Responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
April 15, 2024
Related: Arts and Culture, Columbia Falls, Holidays, Kalispell, Missoula, Montana, Noxon, Outdoor Fun, Recreate Responsibly, Stevensville, Thompson Falls, Vacation, Wildlife
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