Merchandise sales locations will be closed state-wide for the required annual inventory beginning Wednesday, April 15 and will reopen when completed on April 16. 

Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 through April 30. Learn more.

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6 ways to spend Earth Day

By Mary BishopPosted March 20, 2025, Original Publish Date April 19, 2023

 

Last updated on March 23, 2026

Earth Day is an opportunity to give back to Mother Earth. There are so many ways to do this that it can feel overwhelming to attempt to give back what nature provides to us. We're happy to help by giving you six ways you can make a big impact this Earth Day. Virginia State Parks are hosting Earth Day events between April 17-26, 2026, across the commonwealth to make it even easier for you to give back.

1. Plant natives for nature 

Monarch butterfly on butterfly milkweed in Kiptopeke State Park's Native Plant Garden
A monarch butterfly on native butterfly milkweed in Kiptopeke State Park’s Native Plant Garden  

Say thank you to pollinators this Earth Day by planting native, pollinator-friendly plants. Native species are those that naturally occur in the region in which they evolved. Since plants evolve over time, native plants possess certain traits that make them uniquely adapted to local conditions and provide the best resources to wildlife.  

The following parks are hosting planting or native plant hiking events:  

2. Remove invasive plants

Invasive plants are species that have been introduced to our environment, are out of place and cause harm to our biodiversity. Invasive plants often crowd out or even kill native plants. Removing invasive species helps native flora and fauna to thrive with their native habitat.  

Removing invasives at Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Removing invasive plants at Staunton River Battlefield State Park

Learn which plants are invasive at Virginia State Parks by attending a removal event, such as the following.  

3. Clean up a trail

9 visitors and a park ranger stand proudly on a trail holding bags of trash and tires they cleaned up
A successful cleanup at James River State Park 

Virginia State Parks depend on volunteers to help us maintain our 700+ miles of trails. Enjoy a hike and feel good about making the trail look better than how you found it by going to one of the following events. 

4. Clean up a beach or waterway

Help improve water quality by removing trash from beaches, creeks, lakes, etc. Trash in natural waterways doesn’t only look bad, it can harm wildlife and pollute our drinking water.  

Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park. Photo by Bob Diller
Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park. Photo by Bob Diller

5. Participate in community science

Community science (aka citizen science or participatory science) is simply observing nature and logging it publicly to share what you find. An example of community science is counting birds you see in an environment and logging what you spot in eBird — an online database of bird observations. This data provides scientists, researchers and naturalists with real-time information on bird migration and population. 

Birdwatching at Claytor Lake State Park
Birdwatching at Claytor Lake State Park 

Events include walks and talks about native ecology.

6. Recycle and upcycle

Make a difference this Earth Day by donating your plastics. Learning about recycling and upcycling at workshops at various parks. 

Thank you for looking for ways to help our environment this Earth Day! We hope Virginia State Parks inspires you to take care of the world around you every day. 

Original article authored by Haley Rogers, April 19, 2023

CATEGORIES
Community  |  Outdoor Activities  |  Spring  |  Volunteer Opportunities

If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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