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10 Ways to Make a Difference Ahead of Earth Day in Los Angeles

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Samantha Durst Student Contributor, University of California - Los Angeles
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCLA chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This Earth Day in Los Angeles, there are beaches, parks, campuses, and local markets turning into hubs for environmental action. There are so many incredible opportunities to get involved, whether that be volunteering or simply developing environmentally sustainable habits for yourself. I am so excited for the events happening around LA, so here are ten ways to give back to our planet before April 22nd!

. Heal the Bay Beach Cleanup (Santa Monica Beach)

A great way to start your weekend, Heal the Bay is hosting one of the largest beach cleanups of the year. Taking place on April 18th, from 10am – 12pm, this event brings volunteers together for a hands-on day of protecting LA’s coastline. It’s also an opportunity to learn about ocean conservation and a fun way to meet new people!

. Heal the Bay Aquarium + Madame Gandhi Performance

On April 19th, you can celebrate Earth Month with free admission to the Heal the Bay Aquarium and a special performance from activist and artist Madame Gandhi. It’s a lively mix of marine education and live music, all focused on environmental awareness. Located at the Santa Monica Pier, come for the ocean life and stay for an influential, energetic performance! You can find more exciting details on Heal the Bay’s Instagram page, as seen above.

. Beverly Hills 23rd Annual Earth Day Event

This Beverly Hills tradition blends sustainability with community! As part of the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market, there will be booths from local organizations, stations to drop off documents for secure shredding, and free compost supplies you can take home. On April 19, from 9am – 1pm, this popular event will also feature a clothing swap I’ll definitely be checking out.

. Earth Day Festival at the Natural History Museum

If you want a jam-packed Sunday, or cannot attend other events, don’t worry because there are so many events happening April 19th! The Natural History Museum will be turning Earth Day into an all-day immersive experience. You can partake in science activities, explore animal encounters and environmental film screenings, and enjoy live performances. This is a fun and educational way to further understand ecosystems and celebrate our Earth!

. Palisades Earth Day & Veg Fest

At the Palisades Village Green, this festival leans into plant-based living and holistic sustainability. There will be vegan food vendors, live music, wellness activities, and conversations around real climate solutions. From 11am – 2pm, make sure to RSVP for this relaxed, community-focused event!

. Food Scraps Collection at Wellington Square Farmers’ Market

Turn your Sunday routine into something impactful by dropping off foos scraps for composting. This event is a simple way to participate in composting, helping divert waste while supporting local composting efforts. You can sign up to volunteer on any Sunday throughout the year, making this an incredible opportunity to contribute long-term environmental impact.

. CSUDH 19th Annual Earth Day Festival

Cal State Dominguez Hills hosts a full-day campus celebration focused on environmental awareness. On April 21st, you can expect booths, activities, and opportunities to learn how sustainability connects to everyday life. The festival is a student-driven effort that will be packed with energy and super educational!

. “The Comeback: Saving the Sunflower Sea Star” (Virtual)

If you’re unable to attend an in-person event, this Heal the Bay Zoom is an amazing opportunity to learn without leaving home. On April 21st at 6pm, this virtual event will deep dive into efforts to save the critically endangered sunflower sea star. If you’re especially passionate about marine life, you will love this exploration on why the species matters and how it impacts California’s kelp forests!

. UCLA Earth Day Extravaganza

UCLA’s campus will transform into a hub of sustainability for Earth Day itself on April 22nd. The festival features interactive booths, student-led initiatives, and hands-on activities that demonstrate how environmental work is happening locally. This is an amazing, accessible way for UCLA students to take action this Earth Day without needing to leave campus!

. Earth Day at Little Tokyo Farmers’ Market

Although this event is occurring after Earth Day, there is no reason you can’t keep up the festivities! On April 25th, Little Tokyo is hosting a clothing swap, compost distribution, workshops, performances, and even live screen printing for upcycled pieces. Whether you choose to creatively engage from home or take direct environmental action, this is a fun way to end Earth Month strong!

Samantha is a third year English major and Community Engagement and Social Change minor at UCLA. As a Feature Writer, she loves writing uplifting pieces of any kind, and aspires to apply her minor to the journalism field. She enjoys watching movies from the 80's, reading fantasy and science fiction, and having game nights with friends.