Earth Day will look a little different in Lawrence and Douglas County this year. In March, the City of Lawrence and Douglas County announced that the annual Earth Day celebration in South Park would be postponed due to safety recommendations in response to COVID-19. In lieu of the in-person event, Earth Day 2020 will be celebrated during a week of virtual events that will bring the community together — even as we remain physically apart.

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. This year is the 20th anniversary of the City of Lawrence Earth Day celebration and the 50th celebration of Earth Day worldwide. This year’s local celebration follows the theme of “community well-being.” It will honor the tradition of years past by bringing together our community and showcasing ways we can work together to care for each other and our planet.

The week-long event series will include community-driven workshops, activities and resources that can be accessed from the safety of your home. These events are listed on the City of Lawrence's Earth Day webpage. Videos are available on the City of Lawrence YouTube page.

"Let us all accept our individual and united responsibilities to reverse climate change and care for the world we live in, ensuring clean air, fresh water, beautiful landscapes, and access to local food, especially in a time when food security and the food economy are at the forefront of our community challenges. Together we can work towards — and look forward to — a safer, more stable, and more sustainable world," Douglas County Commission Chair Patrick Kelly.

To learn more about Douglas County's Sustainability efforts, visit: https://dgcoks.gov/depts/sustainability.