City offering a variety of family-friendly, eco-themed activities

RICHMOND HILL – April is Earth Month, a time to celebrate our natural environment and come together to protect it. To inspire the community to take action, Richmond Hill is running the following family-friendly, eco-themed initiatives:

April 16 to May 19 - Healthy Yards Plant & Garden Sale

Richmond Hill residents can pre-order native trees, shrubs, perennial wildflower kits, rain barrels and/or composters at a low cost.

Location and time: The online store opens at 8:30 a.m. on April 16. Note that items sell out fast. Pre-ordered items will be available for pickup on May 31.

April 16 - Maximize Your Healthy Yard Gardening Workshop (free)

Growing native trees, shrubs and wildflowers can help your garden thrive and improve the natural environment. Learn how to choose the right native plants for your yard and how to install and use rain barrels and composters. Register online.

Location and time: Bayview Hill Community Centre, 7-8:30 p.m.

April 21 to May 5 - Clean up, Green Up Weeks (free)

Everyone is invited to help give Richmond Hill a spring cleaning by picking up litter from around their neighbourhoods. The City will provide registered participants with gloves, garbage bags and arrange for collection of the filled bags. Register online by April 6.

Location and time: Various dates, times and locations

April 26 – Community Tree Planting (free)

Volunteer to plant trees with us! Gardening gloves and shovels will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own as well. Register online.

Location and time: Rouge Crest Park, 147 Rothbury Road, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April 27 – An Earth Day Experience: Legacy of the Land (free)

Visit the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory Park (RHDDO). Enjoy tours of the observatory buildings (telescope and astronomers not available), trail tours of restoration sites, environment-related booths, games, prizes and more!

Location and time: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory Park, 1-4 p.m. (Parking available at Elvis Stojko Arena only, 350 16th Avenue, with footpath access to RHDDO Park)

Everyone is invited to participate. Together, our actions can make a big difference!

For more information and to register, visit RichmondHill.ca/EarthMonth.