Earth Day events happening in the Hamilton, Halton, Niagara regions

Today marks the 52nd Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a variety of events organized locally and internationally by EarthDay.org.

The official theme for 2022 is “Invest In Our Planet.”

Here are some events you can get involved in this Earth Day in the Hamilton, Halton and Niagara regions.

Hamilton

McMaster Earth Day Tree Planting

Join community members and McMaster University students in planting 250 trees today.

The McMaster Centre for Climate Change, Nature at McMaster, the Academic Sustainability Programs Office and Trees for Hamilton have worked together to create a Carbon Sink Forest. This forest sequesters carbon through planting trees, which helps to mitigate climate change.

Pizza, prizes and shovels will be provided, but be sure to wear closed toed shoes.

The event is happening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1211 Wilson St. East.

Halton Region

Action on Climate Earth Day Event

The City of Burlington, Burlington Hydro and Plug’n Drive are hosting Earth Day activities in the parking lot at Central Arena from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

You can register to receive a free four-to-five-foot tree as the city aims to give away 200 trees.

The city and Burlington Hydro are sponsoring Plug’n Drive’s Mobile EV Education Trailer for four weeks at the arena starting April 23 until May 20. You can talk with experts and owners about driving an electric vehicle.

Niagara Region

Niagara Falls Clean-Up

The City of Niagara Falls will be hosting a community clean-up today from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. starting at Macbain Community Centre. Volunteers are encouraged to join after school or work to collect debris from parks, trails and boulevards.

St. Catharines Clean-Up

The Clean City Advisory Committee is leading two Earth Day events on Saturday. While both start at 9 a.m., one of the events is happening at Lake St. QEW on-ramp in the Best Western parking lot. The other activity is happening at the Ontario St. QEW on-ramp in Henley Square.

Also taking place on Saturday is the Friends of Malcolmson Eco-Park Earth Day clean-up from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers do not need to register in advance but should bring a shovel or towel and come prepared to plant trees, work in the gardens and clean up the park at 325 Lakeshore Rd.