Miami-Dade County is inviting residents and visitors to embrace environmental stewardship during April's Earth Month with a host of activities designed to promote sustainability and conservation. A standout event is the Earth Day 5K Run set for Sunday, April 21 at MAST Academy; the community is encouraged to take part and highlight the importance of responding to our environmental challenges.
In the lead-up to Earth Day on April 22, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, along with District 9 Commissioner Kionne McGhee, will be hosting an Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 20 at Larry and Penny Thompson Park. The event is scheduled to smoothly kick off at 10 a.m., offering attendees the chance to engage in a shoreline cleanup and a variety of activities centered around restoring the park's Pine Rockland habitat. A statement from Miami-Dade County's official news portal says there will also be a kid fun zone and an Eco Village with nature-based exhibits, promising an educational and enjoyable day for all ages.
Volunteers who are keen to make a tangible difference can participate in the Environmentally Endangered Land Program volunteer workdays. These include an urban forest restoration planting project on Saturday, April 20, at Dolphin Center Addition Preserve and an opportunity to learn, discover, and document native species in the Pine Rockland habitat for the i-naturalist challenge on Saturday, April 27. These activities not only contribute to the restoration of sensitive lands but also provide a hands-on educational experience.
The county's annual Baynanza cleanup event is another pivotal part of Earth Month initiatives, offering a chance for volunteers to directly help keep beaches and shorelines pristine. This year, the cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, and will place from 9 a.m. to noon, with multiple sites available for volunteers to choose from. Beyond single events, Miami-Dade Parks is offering a range of volunteer opportunities throughout the month, aiming to inspire long-term commitment to the well-being of local outdoor spaces.
For those unable to attend organized events, the county offers tips on living greener, such as signing up for paperless water bill statements and participating in home chemical collection programs to dispose of or repurpose household waste responsibly. Families with young children can explore nature-based playgrounds, which provide a creative space for kids to connect with the environment.
Throughout the month, Miami-Dade Library branches and cultural institutions like the Deering Estate and the Frost Museum of Science will be hosting events to commemorate Earth Month. Zoo Miami is also throwing its "Party for The Planet" on April 20 and 21, featuring conservation-themed activities for the whole family. For the full list of Earth Month activities and events available to Miami-Dade County residents, details can be found on the official website.
