Happy (Insert Environmental Issue Here) Day!
April marks the big month for environmental holidays. With two heavy hitters at the end of the month (Earth Day and Arbor Day), tons of community and national events are planned to celebrate and bring awareness to environmental issues. But come to think of it, ENN was bombarded this past month with news articles for eco-celebrations with days like World Water Day, World Meteorological Day, and even Earth Hour which all took place in the third week of March. These “holidays” have got me thinking about all the different days we celebrate throughout the year. From religious celebrations, to federal holidays and cultural festivities, holidays give us a chance to get together with friends and family and celebrate these special days.
Environmental holidays on the other hand are usually created by organizations that promote these days in an effort to bring awareness to certain causes (despite how obscure some may be). Not only are these days worth recognizing and celebrating, but they also can bring some excitement to the monotonous weeks that go by in-between major and well-known holidays.
As a result, I scoured the Internet to come up with an extensive list of environmental holidays in order to help us celebrate a green year.
January 5: National Bird Day
February 2: World Wetland’s Day
March 18: National Biodiesel Day
March 21: World Forestry Day
March 22: World Water Day
March 23: World Meteorological Day
Last Saturday in March: Earth Hour
April 22: Earth Day
Last Friday in April: Arbor Day
May 10: National Public Gardening Day
2nd Saturday in May: International Migratory Bird Day
May 18: Plant Conservation Day
May 21: Endangered Species Day
May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity
1st Saturday in June: National Trails Day
June 5: World Environment Day
June 8: World Ocean’s Day
June 15: Global Wind Day
June 17: UN World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
July 11: World Population Day
September 4: National Wildlife Day
September 22: World Car-Free Day
1st Week in October: Junk Mail Awareness Week
October 1: World Vegetarian Day
October 4: World Animal Day
November 1: World Vegan Day
November 15: America Recycles Day
December 11: International Mountain Day
Did we miss anything? Do you know of an environmental holiday we should add? Comment below and we’ll update the list!
Feel free to add these special days to your calendar, but don’t forget-just because it isn’t an environmental holiday doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Earth Day, everyday!
Calendar image via Shutterstock.
by Editor