Earth Month

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. We all know that Earth deserves more than one day of recognition. At NEEF we celebrate Earth Month, and this year we are offering activities that can really make a difference.

Earth Month Actions to Make A Difference

In all areas of our life, we can be conscious of our actions and how they impact the Earth. Find a sustainability activity that you can implement regularly and share your action with your friends.

Unplug Unused Electronics

an electrical outlet power cord full with plugs

Energy consumption is a primary contributor to a changing climate, producing around 20% of greenhouse gases in the United States. Save money and energy at home by unplugging electronics such as phone chargers, DVRs, printers, computers, and rarely-used TVs when they’re not in use. These electronics still consume energy when left on and plugged in and can add an extra ten percent to your monthly utility bill.

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Fix Water Leaks

a sink faucet running with water flowing from it

Three percent of the nation's energy is used to pump and treat water and the average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. Check for leaks at home in the kitchen, bathroom, and outside. They're often easy to fix and can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

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Eat Less Meat

If cows were a nation, they would be the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter. Help reduce the impact your meals have on the environment by going meatless one day a week and discovering delicious new dishes that are not only healthy for you but also for the environment.

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Reduce and Reuse

different colored waste bins stand in a row

The amount of waste generated in the US is around 4.9 pounds per person per day. Reducing consumption and reusing items is the most effective way to reduce individual waste and prevents the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change required to make new products. Before purchasing new items for your home, school, or office, look around and see what you can reuse or try to buy second-hand first.

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Volunteer in Your Community

a diverse group of volunteers plants a tree seedling

Discover and attend an environmental cleanup or restoration project in your community! Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and improve the environment. There are numerous ways you can positively impact the planet in just a few hours.

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Listen to Love Earth

a young woman closes her eyes while listening to head phones

NEEF teamed up with iHeart Radio to spread the word across the nation about the simple steps people can take every day to make a positive impact on our environment. Check out even more tips and activities to make the most of Earth month with iHeart Earth.

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Fun & Educational Earth Day Activities

Activities developed by NEEF in collaboration with our partners at Toyota

Milk Carton Bird Feeder

You can make your own custom bird feeder using the following guide.

a butterfly along with different types of bees all perch on a flower

Pollinator Container Garden

Anyone can create a container garden and it’s a great option if you have limited outdoor space like a balcony, small patio, or windowsill. Various pollinator-friendly plants will thrive in containers, providing food and habitat for your local pollinator species.

a pile of natural wood tubes are stacked together to form a bee hotel

Build A Bee Hotel

Support your local pollinators by building them a new home! Bee hotels (or bee houses) provide a safe space for bees to lay their eggs away from predators and hazardous weather conditions.

a seed ball surrounded by dirt and seeds

Making Seed Balls

Making seed balls is a fun family-friendly activity you can do at home. The components aren’t hard to come by, and the act of making them offers the opportunity to get your hands dirty, spend some time outdoors.

a person collects trash that is on the trail in the forest

Host A Clean-Up

Cleanups do not have to be formal or large in scale—they can be as small as one individual or a single family tidying up an area near their home. Just a few hours of work can improve the look and feel of a neighborhood and benefit the local environment!

a young boy stands in a tall grass field looking through binoculars

Observing Nature

Observing nature can be done with the naked eye through visual enhancement devices like binoculars and telescopes or by listening to animal sounds. See how you can contribute to scientific research by looking out your window!

Earth Day Gallery

In honor of Earth Day, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) has partnered with the School for Visual Arts (SVA) art college in New York City to launch the Earth Day Gallery. This online gallery showcases original student art posters promoting sustainability and environmental education.

Download a free 11x17” digital PDF format and enter a drawing to select 100 lucky educators to receive a limited-edition, full-color 18x24” printed poster. Deadline to enter is April 1.

Go to Gallery