703-324-8700
TTY 711
Jai Cole,
Executive Director
Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The Fairfax County Park Authority seeks to expand awareness, appreciation and protection of our natural resources. Learn more about the history of this annual celebration and explore ways that you can take action to protect and safely explore our parks and our planet.
The Park Authority offers a variety of earth- and nature-focused programs to help educate and engage the community on environmental stewardship. Please join us for these Saturday events to celebrate Earth Day.
The above programs are current as of April 19, 2022. Visit Parktakes online to find the most updated list of programs and events. You may search by category to find programs specific to nature, gardening, location, etc.
The Park Authority offers a variety of earth- and nature-focused programs to help educate and engage the community on environmental stewardship. Please join us for these Saturday events to celebrate Earth Day.
The above programs are current as of April 19, 2022. Visit Parktakes online to find the most updated list of programs and events. You may search by category to find programs specific to nature, gardening, location, etc.
Fifty years ago, you could fill your car’s fuel tank with gas for 36 cents a gallon. Most people didn’t worry about how many miles they could travel on each gallon of gas. Folks in industrial areas had grown used to skies filled with hazy, polluted air and waters that were unfit for swimming. There were no recycling bins at the curb, and English ivy was considered decorative — not invasive.
In 1970, the first Earth Day sought to change that way of thinking. Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for a national day to focus on the environment. The senator was inspired by the student anti-war movement of the time and wanted to find a way to channel that energy into an event that put environmental protection on the national political agenda.
In 1970, an estimated 20 million Americans – 10 percent of the population – took part in Earth Day activities. Today, more than one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.
For the Fairfax County Park Authority, every day is Earth Day. The Park Authority owns and manages 420 parks on more than 23,500 acres of land. Throughout the year, Park Authority staff organize watershed clean-up days and invasive management events. Naturalists run programming for residents of all ages to introduce them to local plants and animals. The programs highlight the environmental importance of creatures ranging from the tiny macroinvertebrates in local streams to the raptors and coyotes at the top of the woodland food chain. Some classes allow participants to play an active part in environmental stewardship. For instance, you can learn about important pollinators, such as bees and bats, and build homes for them to hang in your own yard.
Time spent in nature has curative powers for people, and in Fairfax County, 90 percent of people live within a half-mile of parkland.
It’s the small things which make a tremendous difference. Environmentalist Rachel Carson wrote, “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”
This history of Earth Day was originally written by FCPA writer Carol Ochs in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the holiday in 2020.
Fifty years ago, you could fill your car’s fuel tank with gas for 36 cents a gallon. Most people didn’t worry about how many miles they could travel on each gallon of gas. Folks in industrial areas had grown used to skies filled with hazy, polluted air and waters that were unfit for swimming. There were no recycling bins at the curb, and English ivy was considered decorative — not invasive.
In 1970, the first Earth Day sought to change that way of thinking. Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for a national day to focus on the environment. The senator was inspired by the student anti-war movement of the time and wanted to find a way to channel that energy into an event that put environmental protection on the national political agenda.
In 1970, an estimated 20 million Americans – 10 percent of the population – took part in Earth Day activities. Today, more than one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.
For the Fairfax County Park Authority, every day is Earth Day. The Park Authority owns and manages 420 parks on more than 23,500 acres of land. Throughout the year, Park Authority staff organize watershed clean-up days and invasive management events. Naturalists run programming for residents of all ages to introduce them to local plants and animals. The programs highlight the environmental importance of creatures ranging from the tiny macroinvertebrates in local streams to the raptors and coyotes at the top of the woodland food chain. Some classes allow participants to play an active part in environmental stewardship. For instance, you can learn about important pollinators, such as bees and bats, and build homes for them to hang in your own yard.
Time spent in nature has curative powers for people, and in Fairfax County, 90 percent of people live within a half-mile of parkland.
It’s the small things which make a tremendous difference. Environmentalist Rachel Carson wrote, “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”
This history of Earth Day was originally written by FCPA writer Carol Ochs in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the holiday in 2020.
Register for informative and engaging camps and classes to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Be good park visitor by staying on trails, disposing of trash properly, keeping your dog on a leash, and don’t forget that poop bag. The Park Authority’s Natural Resource Management Plan guides our ecosystem restoration and management as well as outreach efforts.
Use your talents, energy and time to connect with the earth. Far more than just doing a good deed, volunteering is a way to develop skills, learn about career options, make professional contacts, socialize and have an impact on your community. More than 7,000 people volunteer in Fairfax County parks each year, providing close to 200,000 hours of service. Find volunteer opportunities online or join a Friends Group to support a specific park.
Celebrate Earth Day by becoming a Citizen Scientist! Visit a Fairfax County park between April 29 and May 2, 2022, and make identifiable observations in the iNaturalist app. Submit your volunteer hours via our convenient online form. Access a report of your approved hours in our system and use them to fulfill requirements for scouts, schools and other organizations.
Include kids in Earth Day with these fun and educational resources. Stay Earth-friendly by making these reusable: place the printed paper inside a plastic sleeve/sheet protector and use a dry erase marker when using.
Printables
Find additional resources at our Virtual Exploration Center; click on the “Science & Nature” tab to find activities focused on nature and the outdoors.
Many species of plants and animals call Fairfax County home. The Fairfax County Department of Public Works has created a Field Guide and Field Journal to help readers identify and explore common species found in neighborhoods, schoolyards, parks and other areas. Fairfax County ecologists provide free high-quality, innovative educational programs and teaching tools to audiences ranging from K-12.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 22-30, 2022, as Dark Sky Week in Fairfax County. Dark skies are the historic and natural state of nature. Over time humans have increased the amount of light shining into the sky all night long. This disruption of excessive light has robbed us of our stars and endangered the nature around us. We can have dark skies again if we can learn to control light pollution with responsible outdoor lighting practices.
Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) leads the county's cross-organizational development and implementation of effective environmental and energy policies, goals, programs and projects including solar energy, carbon-free initiatives and climate adaptation. OEEC engages county departments, authorities, businesses and residents to advance environmental and energy priorities and address community needs.
This FREE family-friendly festival will feature activities and exhibitors sharing information about climate action, environmental challenges we face and solutions we can participate in to make Fairfax County, and the world at large, a healthier, more sustainable place. Attendees will be treated to workshops, live music, live reptile and owl demonstrations, nature walks, giveaways, solar cooking and robot demonstrations, and more.
