Earth Day 2026

What is Earth Day?

Ever wonder how Earth Day began? The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, when San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. Dealing with dangerously serious issues concerning toxic drinking water, air pollution, and the effects of pesticides, an impressive 20 million Americans—10% of the population—ventured outdoors and protested together. 

President Richard Nixon led the nation in creating the Environmental Protection Agency, which followed with successful laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Today, not only is Earth Day meant to increase awareness of environmental problems, but it is also becoming a popular time for many communities to gather to clean up litter, plant trees, or simply reflect on the beauty of nature. Further down the page, we’ve provided a list of activities and projects that you can do to improve your local environment! 

Forest Bathing Walk

"On Earth Day, we are invited to slow down, listen, and remember our place within the living world. Join us for a guided Forest Bathing walk in the Copeland Forest.

Our gentle, level loop will wind beneath a mixed canopy, with frequent pauses to engage all our senses. Through simple, guided invitations, we’ll deepen our connection to the land, cultivating presence, gratitude, and a felt sense of relationship with the forest.

Earth Day is not just a celebration, but a remembering—of our interdependence with the natural world and our responsibility to care for it. This walk offers a meaningful way to honour the Earth: by listening, by being present, and by reconnecting with the land that sustains us”

Beth Foster

ANFT Nature and Forest Therapy Guide

When: Wednesday, April 22nd, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: P2 Copeland Forest Parking, Ingram Road, Oro-Medonte

Act Locally, Impact Globally

Environmental progress has always come from people who believed they could make a difference. Students, scientists, families, farmers, union members, business owners, and elected officials all have a role to play. When people take action, communities are built. When inspired communities speak up, leaders listen. When leaders act, policies shift and industries and corporations are held accountable. This is how real change happens. Your voice, your choices, and your actions are the spark that moves the world.

Earthday.org announces the global theme for Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet. The campaign calls on communities everywhere to stand up and speak out in support of clean air, clean water, clean energy, protected natural resources and a stable climate.