Earth Day means something special to each of us.
For some, it’s getting their hands in the soil and giving back. For others, it’s listening to stories under the stars, exploring with loved ones or simply spending time outside.
This year’s Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet, reminds us that caring for our environment is a daily journey. Every choice we make, as individuals and as communities, shapes the future of California’s lands and waters.
Across California’s state parks, this work is already happening. From restoring habitats to connecting cultures and sparking community science, progress is not just something we hope for, we’re creating it together every day.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, you belong here. California’s parks are for everyone.
Give back to parks
Roll up your sleeves and help care for the places that connect us all. Follow the links below to learn more about events celebrating Earth Day all month long.
At Dos Rios — one of California’s newest state parks — volunteers are coming together to restore a vibrant floodplain where two rivers meet on Saturday, April 18, starting at 9 a.m. By planting native species, clearing brush to reduce wildfire risk and improving wildlife habitat, participants will be part of one of the largest restoration efforts in our state.
Along the coast, Silver Strand State Beach offers another chance to give back. Volunteers will help restore delicate dune habitats on Saturday, April 11, beginning at 9 a.m., by removing invasive ice plant, supporting native plants and protecting special species like the horned lark and killdeer plover.
In the Bay Area, China Camp State Park welcomes volunteers to join a day of restoration and preservation on Saturday, April 18, at 9 a.m. Together, participants will remove invasive Scotch and French broom, protect native plants, improve wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk and support efforts to repair historic structures in China Camp Village.
These efforts may seem small, but together, they help build more resilient landscapes that can thrive for generations.
Learn and find inspiration
Earth Day is also about curiosity, learning more about the world around us and our place within it.
At Malibu Creek State Park, WonderFest brings that spirit to life through an evening of campfire storytelling with National Geographic Explorers. On Saturday, April 25, at 7 p.m., scientists, photographers and conservationists will share firsthand stories of discovery, adventure and the moments that inspire their work protecting our planet.
For younger explorers, the Junior Ranger program at Malibu Creek State Park is a hands-on way to learn and connect. Designed for kids ages 7 to 11, the program invites participants on Saturday, April 11, and the following week on April 18, at 4 p.m., to explore nature, discover their park and earn their own Junior Ranger badge, building an early love for stewardship and the outdoors.
For those looking to explore during the day, Calaveras Big Trees State Park offers a guided hike through its iconic North Grove — a 1.7-mile accessible loop surrounded by nearly 100 giant sequoias on Wednesday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. Along the way, visitors will learn about these ancient trees, how prescribed fire keeps forests healthy and how each of us can help protect them for the future. No need to register — come as you are and join the walk.
And if you’re ready to turn curiosity into action, the City Nature Challenge at the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve invites you to become a community scientist for the day on Sunday, April 26, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. You can explore the estuary, photograph plants and wildlife, and contribute observations that help land managers, scientists and community members better understand and protect the region’s natural resources. What began as a friendly competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco has grown into a global event — showing how local participation can contribute to worldwide environmental knowledge.
All of these experiences remind us that wonder is often the first step toward caring for our parks and planet.
Connect, explore and celebrate
Sometimes, the most meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day is simply to show up — with your family, your neighbors or your community.
At Los Angeles State Historic Park, visitors can explore the power of pollinators and even adopt a fruit tree on Saturday, April 18, beginning at 9 a.m., to share with their neighborhood, connecting environmental stewardship with community care.
At Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook on Saturday, April 18, at 1 p.m., the Cityscape to Campfire program brings together nature walks, storytelling and s’mores, creating a space for reflection and connection right in the heart of the city.
These small, shared moments — rooted in place — turn parks into more than just destinations. They become part of our everyday lives.
Find your way outside
Earth Day isn’t just a single day — it’s an open invitation.
An invitation to step outside, learn something new, give back or simply pause and appreciate the world around you.
At Parks California, we know these connections matter. They inspire care, build community and help parks thrive for generations.
However you choose to celebrate, your Earth Day adventure begins right here.