NYC Cheap and Free Earth Day 2012 and Green Events!

The Empire State Building isn't the only green event in honor of Earth Day! The city is hosting a variety of cheap and free Earh Day and green-friendly festivals and activities in honor of the big day!

March 19-April 21, 2012

Go on a green scavenger throughout the city as part of Passport to Green NY. Visit 12 or more NYC green destinations to enter to win prizes including cash, a flat screen TV, and a Toshiba laptop. Or stop by five or more attractions to be entered to win $250 in gift cards and other green prizes. Special offers and discounts are being offered by most destination partners! Fill out this form and return it by mail to 201E. 42nd St., Suite 3200, New York, NY 10017 or in person to the Toshiba booth in Grand Central (in Vanderbilt Hall) by April 21, 2012. http://www.earthdayny.org/images/pdf/final_passport_brochure_2012.pdf

Thursday April 19, 2012

Celebrate Earth Day in Bushwick with farm tours, workshops, cooking demos, plant sales, live music, and food, 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Bushwick Campus Farm, 400 Irving Ave., free!
Attend a panel on Global Equity and Animal Agriculture at NYU, which will cover the issue of food justice! Panelists include Mia MacDonald, Executive Director, Brighter Green; NYU ES Capstone Instructor, Lori Gruen, Chair of the Philosophy Department; Professor of Philosophy, Environmental Studies and Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Wesleyan University, Chetana Mirle, Director, Farm Animals, Humane Society International, and Peter Li, Associate Professor of Social Sciences, University of Houston 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Silver Building, 33 Washington Place, Room 408, free and open to the public, For more info and to RSVP go here. http://environment.as.nyu.edu/object/asevents.04192012.agriculturepanel

The Mobile-to-Mobile Street Fair is not a festival featuring cell phones, but rather one with moveable booths such as a traveling science lab, and a truck outfitted with a farm. Munch on free organic local food from the NYU Food Co-op! 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Washington Place

April 19-21, 2012

Observe Earth Day with the following free fairs: Grand Central Indoors (April 19-21, Grand Central Outdoors (April 20-21), and Times Square Outdoors (April 20)! All feature exhibits, and family fun, with a CO2 E Drive and Green Vehicle Fashion Show on the 20th during the Times Square event, live music at the Grand Central outdoor fair, and environmental programming at the Grand Central Indoor happening! All free!

April 20, 2012

Go foraging through Prospect Park with Host Leda Meredith, a noted locavore author, and find edible vegetables, plants, mushrooms, ramps (a wild onion), mulberries, sassafras, and gobo root! 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Prospect Park (that’s the most specific info I have, perhaps you get more info when you RSVP.), cost: $20, RSVP here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3213978095
Help Nourishing NYC celebrate Earth Day with on-site recycling demonstrations, edible art, free fresh produce distributed from a vegetable oil powered VAN, and energy efficient give outs, healthy food demonstrations, exhibits by local artists, and a Kids Zone! 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Bread Basket at Woodycrest United 89 West 166th St Bronx, NY, free!

Take a walk in Central Park with the Urban Park Rangers and learn about America’s first park! 12 p.m., Meet at Belvedere Castle, Belvedere Castle, Mid-park about 79th Street, Manhattan, free! Certain events fill up fast and may require registration (the cheap chick is not saying this specific tour will fill up, but you can call if you wish.) Here’s the number: (212) 628-2345!

Join Rooftop Films and BBC America at a screening of the original uncut version Celebrate Earth Day under the stars. BBC AMERICA and Rooftop Films present a special screening of episode one of the uncut, David Attenborough-narrated Planet Earth, followed by the world premiere of 2-hour The Making of Planet Earth special. 7 p.m. doors open, film starts at 7:45 p.m., location: on the pier at Solar One, Kips Bay, 2420 FDR Drive, Service Road East at 23rd Street and the East River, New York, NY 10010, R,/6 to 23rd St., walk all the way east, free! Free Show! First 250 people in attendance get a free ticket that can be used for any Rooftop Films show this summer--including opening night!

Sip organic, biodynamic, and sustainably-farmed wines at Union Square Wines and Spirits USQ's Go Green Organic Tasting. There will also be organic cocktails from VeeV Açai Spirit for you to enjoy as well! 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Union Square Wines and Spirits, 140 Fourth Avenue, free! No reservations required.

April 21-22, 2012

Go Green at the Green Festival taking place at Javits Center North over these two days! Featured presenters include Russell Simmons and Van Jones, a former Obama Staffer as well as many others. Those interested in jobs in career fields can discover a variety of sustainable career options. There will also be the opportunity to sample organic beer, wine, and food and to check out “green gadgets,” natural beauty products. Sat.: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun.: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Javits Center, 11th Avenue between 34th and 39th streets, Cost: Online – $10/day, and $15/weekend, Door – $15/day, $25/weekend. Those who ride bikes to the event get in free! There is also free rickshaw service to and from Penn! Buy tkts here: http://tickets.greenfestivals.org/events/194415

Sunday April 22, 2012

Brooklyn Borough president Marty Markowitz will be on-hand to officially open the 462 Halsey Community Garden's Spring Grand Opening and Earth Day Festival! Participating organizations include 596 Acres, IOBY, a city group that “brings environmental projects to life, block by block,” Grow NYC, and The Bed Stuy Farm Share. There will also be crafts, food by S&J Soul Food and Lonestar Taco, and jazz and blues music! Free!

Honor Earth Day from above the ground at the Earth Day Celebration on the High Line! Festivities include live performances like “the tossing of a giant salad (by performance artist Alison Knowles), and kid-friendly music by the On the Lam Brass Band), interactive demonstrations by the High Line gardeners, and craft workshops.” The High Line, Sat 10 a.m.-Sunday 4 p.m., free!

Recycle your fashion finds (and find some new duds) at the Punk Rock Clothes Swap. Not only can you swap clothes, CDs, books, and anything else you’d like to share, there will also be live music from NYU student bands, and DIY workshops. 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. NYU Kimmel, Eisner and Lubin 4th Floor Auditorium, 60 Washington Square South, free!

Prospect Park commemorates the Earth’s B’earthday and the tenth anniversary of its Audubon Center, with activities such as nature walks, crafts, a boat on display from Brooklyn Boatworks, and a bird of prey. Also record your memories of the Adubon Center at the Beat Cave Recording Studio. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Audubon Center at the Boathouse located inside the Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue entrance, Prospect Park, free!

Get a workout while hiking through Central Park during the special Earth Day Amble Through The Ramble in Central Park! 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Met at Belvedere Castle - Mid-park about 79th StreetCentral Park, free!

The Harlem Park to Park Initiative is hosting a special Earth Day celebration spanning Central Park, Morningside Park and Marcus Garvey Park. Programs include an “Earth Day Celebration Concert and planting workshop, kids Yoga classes, art installations and arts & crafts, catch & release fishing, an urban gardening workshop, storytelling and instrument making. Pick up a Treasure Map at any of the participating locations and collect a stamp at each station you are visiting.” 10 a.m-4 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park, bet 18 Mount Morris Park West, free!

Eat the day away with Green in Brooklyn! The group will be focused on local food with Myrtle Avenue’s Farm to Neighborhood Program, as well as Chef Roisin Wisneski from Myrtle Eats Fresh sharing recipes, snacks from Clementine Vegan Bakery, a lecture on how to start your own beehive, a raffle, and a sale of gifts at 42 percent off! 12 p.m.-4 p.m., in Brooklyn, 432 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, free!

Help Picnic for the Planet break the record for world’s largest picnic! Bring your own picnic or buy one at the Garden Café. There will also be live performances by Sunny Weather and Kinky Spigot and the Welders, Outdoor workshops led by REI SoHo, Predator Olympics and Nature Treasure Hunt activities for kids, and prizes and giveaways! NY Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Directions here, Cost: $10 (grounds admission, which gives you access to Picnic for the Planet.) Please note this event happens rain or shine!

And get 22 percent off your purchase when you bring your own bag to Housing Works Thrift stores!

Wednesday April 25, 2012

Network w/like-minded environmentally-friendly folks at Green Drinks in Queens! Hosted by Ethikus, the hapy hour specials are extended to 8 p.m. with $4 beers and $6 cocktails! 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Pachanga Patterson, 33-17 31 Ave., Astoria, free (aside from the drinks you purchase

Thursday April 26, 2012

Learn about Brooklyn’s sustainable future at the panel discussion Brooklyn: The Future is Sustainable, which will feature green projects like wind/solar powered lightning, and geothermal heat as pertaining to Brooklyn locations such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Broadway Stages. Sponsored by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, speakers include Andrew Kimball, President, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Scot Medbury, President, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, John Salmon, Director, Solar Energy Systems, and Dr. Gerry Gorman, CEO, Lumisolair. 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., National Grid Auditorium, 1 MetroTech Center, free (!)-but pre-registration required here: www.ibrooklyn.com/sustainable

Saturday April 28, 2012

Give back to the city by “joining more than a thousand community volunteers and the NYC Parks Department in planting 20,000 trees in a single day at 16 park sites across the city’s five boroughs” during the event Million Trees New York Spring Volunteer Planting Event! 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hunter’s Island Picnic Area (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx, Hunter Island Picnic Area (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx, Conference House Park Visitors Center (in Conference House Park), Staten Island, Mosholu Avenue & Broadway (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx, Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfes Pond Park), Staten Island, Crocheron Park at 215 Place (in Crocheron Park), Queens, Powell's Cove Park at 133 Place (in Powell's Cove Park), Queens, free!
Get a free tree today from Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corp! The only condition is that it must be planted in NYC! Be sure to bring a photo ID for registration! 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street, free!

Sunday April 29, 2012

Spend the afternoon at the Queens Botanical Garden’s Arbor Day Festival! “It’s a fun-filled day at QBG’s Arbor Festival. Come enjoy a variety of activities for all ages including garden tours, bird walks, and workshops, food, and craft vendors. Plus, stop by the Children's Activity Table sponsored by TD Bank, from 1 to 4 p.m.” Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main StreetFlushing, NY, Directions are here: http://queensbotanical.org/visit/visit , Free w/museum admission ($4)!

Saturday May 5, 2012

Greenpoint lives up to its name with its fifth Annual Go Greenpoint Festival! This event will feature “eco-friendly artists, crafters, educators, and community groups, as well as educational displays, Greencycle swap, art exhibits, contests for kids, and enviro-friendly handmade wares.”

Don’t forget to see the exhibit, A Window on Nature: Art of Asuka Hishiki on the third floor of the Central Park Arsenal ongoing from April 26-June 6, 2012, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free! For more info go here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/centralpark/events/2012/04/26/exhibition-a-window-on-nature-art-of-asuka-hishiki


Also looking ahead…be sure to see “Sustainability at NYU: Did you know?” An Earth Week Exhibition at Kimmel Windows Gallery on La Guardia and W. 3rd, Now til May 18. "Enormous 3D windows that show NYU Sustainability’s various initiatives—the Bike Share, the cogeneration plant, and all that good stuff," and the Fifth Annual NYC Wildflower Week, will take place May 13-19, 2012, and features workshops, walking tours, and lectures. Most events are free and open to the public, but space is limited, so advance registration is encouraged! For more info go here http://nycwildflowerweek.org/about.html!




Have I forgotten any Eart Day or green-friendly events? Be sure to let me know!