Save your Fiesta flower crown for next year and please use reusable cups for those cervezas — Saturday is Earth Day, and there are lots of ways to mark the occasion in San Antonio.
Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, is an annual event on April 22 aimed at demonstrating support for environmental protection. It was created by the late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson as a way to push for federal regulations and laws to protect the nation’s air and water resources. That year, 20 million Americans demonstrated in cities around the country, seeking the creation of a federal agency that could comprehensively tackle environmental issues.
Out of that effort, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was created by Congress in December 1970. The passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts also have histories tracing back to the first Earth Day.
Since 1970, Earth Day has become an international holiday celebrated around the world by more than 1 billion people.
In a true SA way, a variety of Fiesta-themed Earth Day events will take place around town Saturday for anyone looking to celebrate the progress we’ve made, learn about more ways to make a difference or just have some clean green fun.
San Antonians can start by not contributing to one very-uncool part of Fiesta every year — the literal tons of litter left behind by festivity goers.
Beyond that, whether you’re looking to become more sustainable in your day-to-day life, or help clean up the city this weekend, here several Earth Day events to choose from. All events are Saturday, April 22.
Earth Day San Antonio 2023
The city’s official Earth Day event, put on by the parks and recreation department, will be held at Woodlawn Lake Park on Saturday, free and pet-friendly.
This Fiesta-stamped event will feature over 50 environmental organizations and will include free hands-on family activities, fresh fruits and veggies for sale at a local Farmers Market and a giveaway of tree saplings.
It will also include musical performances, cooking demos, live birds of prey demonstrations, watercraft activities, fishing and the release of 1,200 ladybugs.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Woodlawn Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave.
Earth Day and the Beauty of the West
The Briscoe Western Art Museum will celebrate Earth Day with a come-and-go program featuring the Nectar Bar and Bat Conservation International, as well as free arts and crafts for all ages.
Visitors will hear from Certified Texas Master Naturalist Drake White about the propagation of native plants and herbs, their value in nature and their habitat use. Representatives from Bracken Cave will describe the importance of these furry flying creatures of the night.
For hands-on types, there will be nature-themed arts and crafts for all ages.
Admission is free for museum members, children 12 and under, active military members, residents over age 100 and anyone named Dolph or Briscoe. Tickets for adults are $14; seniors, students and retired military are $12 and military dependents are $8 with ID.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 210 W. Market St.
Craft an aquifer
Texas Parks and Wildlife will host a hands-on crafting event at Government Canyon State Natural Area where residents can build a replica of the Edwards Aquifer, learn how it works and how rainwater flows through and beneath our local landscape, sustaining households, businesses, farms and ranches alike.
Space is limited, so reservations are encouraged. Standard entry fees apply. Open to all ages, but please leave pets at home. Meet at the Group Picnic Pavilion.
When: Noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Road.
Earth Day Fiesta Farmers Market
This free public event will be held at Gardopia Gardens and will include local vendors, produce distribution, music and classes.
Gardopia Gardens is a San Antonio-based nonprofit that sprouted in 2015 to address health disparities on the East Side of San Antonio. Initially funded by Opportunity Home (formerly San Antonio Housing Authority), Gardopia created the Eastside’s first “gardopia,” or garden utopia, where neighbors grow their own food.
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Gardopia Gardens, 619 N. New Braunfels Ave.
Art of Consciousness: An Earth Day Celebration
The 4th Annual ‘Art of Consciousness’ gathering will take place Saturday evening, celebrating art, music, and culture in downtown San Antonio. The event features an art gallery, live painting, vendors, a live podcast and live music. It is BYOB, with non-alcoholic beverages provided by Element Kombucha for a donation.
The event is free, but attendees are asked to bring dry food donations or unused clothing for entry. All donations will go to the San Antonio Foodbank and Goodwill.
When: 5 p.m. to midnight
Where: NOM-MOC-NI Art Gallery, 1100 Broadway Suite 301
Party for the Planet
The San Antonio Zoo will celebrate Earth Day by throwing a Party for the Planet, featuring TikTok performer Jacques Ze Whipper. Zoo visitors will be able to enjoy environment-themed educational activities, animal chats and more.
General admission to the zoo is $8 for Bexar County residents, because Saturday is also Locals Day.
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St.
River Aid SA’s Earth Day Cleanup
River Aid San Antonio, a collation of San Antonio’s citizens and businesses working to clean up local waterways and promote environmental stewardship, will be hosting a large-scale cleanup on Salado Creek on Saturday where multiple tons of trash have accumulated.
At the foot of Churchill High School, this portion of the creek is plagued by public dumping and litter from stormwater drainage, and RASA is looking for volunteers to help clean it up. Councilman John Courage (D9) and members of his staff will be there.
Volunteers are asked to bring a reusable water bottle, wear closed-toed shoes and consider wearing long-sleeved shirts.
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Where: North Central San Antonio. Click here for the exact location.
