As one of the world’s most climatically diverse countries, the United States is home to countless natural wonders. From the beaches to mountain ranges, grassland and prairies to ice caps, explore all of these beautiful landscapes from the comfort of your local library with programs and presentations honoring America’s natural legacy this April.

Here’s a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you:

*Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.

• Scavenger Hunts | Herndon Fortnightly Library and Kings Park Library |All Month 
  Explore the library and see if you can spot a variety of landscapes from our National Parks with scavenger hunts at two of our branches throughout the month. Stop by the information desk upon your arrival to Herndon Fortnightly and Kings Park libraries to start your hunt. 
   

• Wonder Wagon | Multiple Branches | Multiple Dates 
  Step into the world of environmental exploration with the Wonder Wagon, the Fairfax County Park Authority's innovative mobile nature center. 
   

• Recycling Pirates Puppet Show | Great Falls Library and Reston Regional Library | Saturday, April 4 
  Enjoy a rollicking musical about puppet characters created from trash. Led by Captain Jack Sparetire, they sail the urban seas looking for things to recycle, reuse, reduce and repair.

• Monarch Butterflies: One of America's Favorite Natural Resources | Martha Washington Library | Saturday, April 11 
  Meet virtually with scientist and butterfly expert, Nadya Muchoney, to learn about the Monarch Butterfly’s migration through many U.S. states and regions on their way to and from Mexico. 
   

• Make a Layer Landscape | John Marshall Library | Monday. April 13 
  Let America's diverse landscapes inspire you. Create a layered landscape with foreground, mid-ground and background panels out of paper. 
   

• Reptiles and Amphibians of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | Chantilly Regional Library | Sunday, April 19 
  Enjoy a meet and greet with reptiles and amphibians that are native to Fairfax County. 
   

• Nature Talk and Walk | Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library | Saturday, April 25 
  Get tips on managing invasive plants and native plant restoration from members of the Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance. Then take a brief nature walk in Tysons Pimmit Park behind the library where you can put your new skills to the test. 
   

• Poetry and Our National Parks | Lorton Library | Saturday, April 25 
  Take some time to reflect, then write about a time you visited a beautiful landscape or imagine a place you would like to visit one day.
   

• Watercolor 101: Classic American Trees and Succulents | Sherwood Regional Library | Monday, April 27 
  Learn to paint classic American trees and succulents with accomplished artist Anne Heising.

For a complete list of our theme-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_250Events. 

Earth Month and Day Activities From FCPL

In honor of Earth Month, Fairfax County Public Library is also partnering with Sustain Fairfax to host an Earth Month Reading Bingo Challenge. FCPL cardholders can participate by logging books or minutes read and activities completed on Beanstack to earn badges and fill in their Bingo boards. Get five in a row, column or diagonal and you will be entered into a drawing for one of four $25 Amazon gift cards. More information about this Challenge can be found here .

Additionally, several of our branches will be hosting events to celebrate Earth Day on or near April 22. A full list of Earth Day events can be found on our events calendar at bit.ly/FCPL_EarthDayEvents .

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