April Earth Month events in Chicago

Every month should be Earth Month, giving us that nudge to clean, conserve and care for our planet.

• Yes, but: April has the official distinction.

State of play: Here are some fun ways to celebrate Mother Earth this month.

👖 Spring Clothing Swap

• Bring and/or buy some clothes at Chicago Fair Trade's annual swap.
• 6-9pm Friday, 10am-7pm Saturday, and 11am-4pm Sunday.
• Tickets start at $12.50.

🌳 Harvey Honore Park Planting

• Join Openlands, Neighborscapes and the Harvey Park District in planting native trees at Honore Park.
• 8:45am-1pm Saturday.

🗑️ Earth Day Clean-ups

• More than 140 Chicago parks are calling on volunteers for clean-ups.
• Various times, Saturday, April 18. Find a park and sign up.

🚴🏽‍♀️ Earth Day Bike Ride

• BYO bike and helmet for a 5-mile ride.
• 8am, Saturday, April 18 at Sauk Trail Woods.

🎥 One Earth Film Festival

• Films about the climate crisis, environmental justice and sustainability screen at the fest.
• April 22-27 at locations across Chicago and the suburbs.
• Most films are free with a $10 suggested donation.

Also ... just go outside! Cook County Forest Preserves span more than 70,000 acres, Chicago has more than 600 public parks, and the Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos, Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden all feature opportunities to learn more about nature.

Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that Cook County Forest Preserves span more than 70,000 (not 230) acres.