Earth Week is a great time to celebrate our wonderful planet. We’ve rounded up the top activities to help you make the most of Earth Week (April 18 - April 22) and Earth Day in our Town.

Things to do:

1. Discover the World of Bees

Join the Town and Alvéole Urban Beekeepers on Tuesday, April 19 at Whitby Central Library (405 Dundas Street West) for a workshop on the World of Bees. Learn how these creatures play an important role in everyday life, from the cough drops in our pockets, to the polish used to waterproof our boots, to the vital role of pollinating a third of the food we eat. In this workshop, participants will learn more about urban beekeeping, beehives, and listen to a beekeeper recount a bee’s life journey, from the moment she emerges from her cell to her final flight. Register now. Thank you to our sponsors Alvéole and Elexicon Energy.

2. Put Waste in its Place With a Boulevard Blitz

Spring is here and so is the litter. This Earth Day (Friday, April 22), residents are encouraged to spend 20-minutes collecting litter around their neighbourhood using their own bags and gloves. Collected items can be placed by the curb on waste collection day for pickup. Register for a Boulevard Blitz then download the Town of Whitby's Waste Collection Calendar to find out when your next waste collection day is.

3. Attend a Community Tree Planting 

What better place to spend a beautiful day than planting a tree! On Saturday, April 23, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. residents are invited to help reforest Whitby by planting Trees at Peel Park (307 Trent Street East). The event is held rain or shine and participants are asked to bring a shovel, gardening gloves and a lot of energy! The Town will supply the rest. Outdoor clothing, sturdy shoes (steel toe if possible), a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Register now.

4. Help Inform The Whitby Climate Change Master Plan

To prepare for and prevent the future impacts of climate change, the Town is creating a community-based Whitby Climate Change Master Plan that addresses both climate change adaptation and mitigation. Get involved by:

• attending a webinar on Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m. to receive an overview of the recently completed climate risk model of Whitby and provide your input on actions to help reduce climate risks.  Register now.
• completing a survey: Friday, April 8 through Friday, April 29 visit ConnectWhitby.ca/ClimateChange to take a survey to share your local climate change concerns, what actions you think will have the biggest impact on reducing emissions in the community, and more.

5. Plant a Native Tree

Native shrubs are a great way to beautify your yard and enhance habitat for local wildlife! The Town has partnered with LEAF to offer residents a choice of over 20 native shrubs – for less! Spring booking has already started. Apply now.

6. Submit a Post to I See Change

Have you noticed the bulbs sprouting? Are there puddles forming in areas after it rains? Submit your sightings to I See Change. Your photos, stories, and data about how weather and climate change are affecting you will be used to help inform the Whitby Climate Change Master Plan and each post submitted in Whitby will be entered into a draw for an iPad.

Looking for more things to do? Check out the Town’s events calendar.

For more information and to signup to be informed on more Sustainability Initiatives email sustainability@whitby.ca