Earth Day is right around the corner, and we’re sure you’re eager to get involved in this worldwide day of environmental stewardship. This year, The Woodlands Township has designated April as Earth Month, during which we will be celebrating our wonderful planet every single day! From outdoor activities and classes to at-home challenges and educational materials, there is something for everyone who would like to honor the Earth and our place in the Pineywoods.
Unsure where to start? Check out the calendar for a bevy of activities this month and see what piques your interest! Keep reading for links to all the Earth Month fun!
April 1
Start the month off right and explore the many volunteer opportunities where you can lend a hand to keep The Woodlands clean and green throughout the year.
April 2
Did you know that water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface? Improving and maintaining water quality is an essential part of protecting the Earth and its many critters. Become a champion for clean water in your community, be it through educating others or as a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Volunteer!
April 3
As you may know, plastic bags cannot be recycled in your curbside cart. However, they can be recycled at your local grocery store! In fact, you can recycle a host of items such as produce bags, bubble wrap, food storage bags, and more! Recycled plastic bags and film gain a new life as composite lumber that is used in many parks, including those in The Woodlands. Learn more about how to turn your bags into benches here!
April 4
The Woodlands Triathlon is designated as a zero-waste event, meaning that we aim to divert 90% or more of our event waste from the landfill by composting and recycling. At an event as large as the triathlon, we rely on dedicated volunteers to help participants make informed choices about how to sort their waste. No experience required! Join our Green Team today for the May 11 Woodlands Triathlon!
April 5
Today is a great time to register for our upcoming Litter Audit! Invite your friends, family, and coworkers to come learn about the effects of litter, then cleanup for 30 minutes and analyze your findings to better understand how to keep our community clean!
April 6
Shopping local is an easy way to lower your carbon footprint and enjoy produce grown in your own community! The Grogan’s Mill Farmers Market is open every Saturday year-round! Spend your morning picking out sustainable and tasty goods! Hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until June.
April 7
Tomorrow is a total solar eclipse! Learn more about how to prepare for this incredible phenomenon and ensure that the whole family can enjoy it, wherever you are.
April 8
Go outside and enjoy the total solar eclipse today! Be sure to use eclipse glasses or another viewing method from this post. If you’re not able to watch outside, tune into the livestream of this incredible event!
April 9
Take advantage of our Birding Backpack Program today! With just a phone call, you can reserve your fully equipped birding backpack for the week to observe the many avian species in our community.
April 10
Begin your composting journey in your own backyard today! Read about the CE Shepherd Bins sold by The Woodlands Township and how to turn your scraps into the soil conditioner known as “black gold”!
April 11
Check out one of our 150+ parks for a fun new experience! While you’re out, take note of the native wildlife you see! Many of our parks have wonderful picnic spots for a hiking destination.
April 12
As spring migration occurs for many of our local birds, we encourage you to turn off all non-essential lighting and close blinds in your home from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night. Visit Audubon’s official page for more information on how to participate in “Lights Out, Texas!”
April 13
Join us online on April 13 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. for the Spring Home Landscape Gardening Class: Gardening with Native Plants. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent Allison Schwarz will share her expertise in Earth-Kind landscaping and growing native plants to enhance your landscape. Register today to receive the link: https://bit.ly/nativeplantgardening
April 14
Curious about the species that make up our lush oasis? Check out the “Trees on the Trail” series to learn about native trees that give our township its name! See if you can spot any of these terrific timbers on your next walk.
April 15
Introduce your kids to conservation with the fun and educational story of “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss! A story of hope, “The Lorax” invites us to consider how we can protect the natural beauty of our wooded areas for generations to come.
April 16
Learn about the lifecycle of your items as you consider how modern consumption affects our planet. With the help of knowledgeable citizens like you who know “The Story of Stuff,” we can find ways to make our system more sustainable for all!
April 17
From worn clothing to moving boxes, it can often be a challenge to find how to sustainably dispose of your everyday items. We seek to make recycling as clear and convenient as possible – check out our easy solutions to your most common recycling dilemmas!
April 18
Join the corps of well-informed volunteer specialists who provide education, outreach, and their time to keep our local water bodies healthy by volunteering right here at home. This unique certification program, made possible by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department, is offered to both students (grades 9 – 12) and adults. Start your training as a Texas Waters Specialist!
April 19
Sustainability starts right in your backyard with these easy tips to make your yard more bird-friendly! By providing water sources, clean feeders, and native plants, you may soon be birdwatching right from your back porch.
April 20
The Great Texas Birding Classic is an annual competition held across Texas to determine which team can identify and count the most birds during a specific window of time. This year, The Woodlands Township has registered a team to compete in the “Big Sit” category, documenting as many birds as we can see and hear from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. at beautiful Lakeside Park. Residents are invited to join the team to help spot and identify birds. Volunteers will be standing by to help, no experience necessary!
April 21
Join the fight to save our forests! As invasive species hinder the growth and success of native plant species, volunteers are vital in removing them and protecting our woodlands. Join the Invasives Task Force today to learn how to identify and remove invasive species! Not ready to commit? Learn about how to report invasive species to Environmental Services.
April 22
Happy Earth Day! Explore the history of Earth Day and our suggestions for great ways to treat every day like Earth Day! We encourage you to share your Earth Day activities with us by emailing enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov!
April 23
Curious as to what’s growing, flying, and crawling in your backyard? Build your knowledge and discover something new by using iNaturalist to identify plants and animals that you see! From native grasses to insects and wildlife, iNaturalist can assist you by improving your identification skills while learning what creatures call the Pineywoods home.
April 24
Author, landscape designer, and Woodlands resident Cherie Foster Colburn will share her expertise on gardening with native plants in this two-part series. Join us for this hybrid summer series in person for hors d’oeuvres and mocktails at Town Hall or participate virtually through Zoom. Attend one or both of the classes to achieve the garden of your dreams – register today!
April 25
As summer approaches, mosquitos are ready to make your patio their home. To avoid itchy bites, read our tips on how to mosquito-proof your patio in an Earth-friendly and chemical-free way! With only a few simple steps, your backyard will be ready for long summer nights with friends in no time!
April 26
If you’re looking for a unique way to connect with nature this April, join the Riva Row Boat House for a Moonlight Paddle on kayaks! Participants will paddle out to Lake Woodlands with illuminated watercrafts and watch the moon rise over the water. Be sure to register to secure your spot!
April 27
Stay connected with Environmental Services for our many events, resources, and volunteer opportunities by subscribing to our eNewsletter! We’ll be sure to remind you as events and opportunities approach, such as Pumpkin Smash and Electronics Recycling!
April 28
Your green dream is within reach with our guide to transform your lawn with less fertilizer, less money, and less work! With a few key tips, you can achieve the lawn of your dreams, all while bettering the environment around you.
April 29
From butterflies to bees, we rely on essential pollinators to promote growth in gardens and local farms. Helping these pollinators is as easy as adding native plants to your yard or starting a container garden on your balcony! Read our tutorial on how to start your pollinator patch, and you can soon enjoy the hum of bees, butterflies, and perhaps even a hummingbird moth in your garden – your plants will thank you!
April 30
As we conclude Earth Month, we encourage you to think about how you can make every day Earth Day! Not sure where to start? Enjoy 52 ideas for how to take action year-round in protecting our marvelous planet!
