In celebration of its namesake, local nonprofit Gallatin Valley Earth Day will once again present a fun and informative series of events in Bozeman. The 2024 Earth Day Festival will take place Saturday, April 20th, from 10am–3pm at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Highlights include live talks, various exhibitors, kids’ activities, live music and delicious food, all focusing on the health of our planet.
Earth Day lectures kick off with “Is Your Property at Risk for Wildfire?” with Jay Pape from Gallatin County Emergency Management at 11am, followed by “Create Your Own Backyard Food Forest” with Kareen Erbe from Broken Ground Permaculture at noon. Cashman Nursery staff will be on hand for advice and tips with “Trees for the Gallatin Valley” at 1pm prior to Live Raptor Presentations with Keaton Thomas from the Montana Raptor Conservation Center at 1:30pm and 2:30pm. An additional lecture, “Get to Know the City’s Forestry Division,” is set for 2pm featuring Alex Nordquest from City of Bozeman Forestry and Lilly McLane from Gallatin Watershed Council.
A special presentation of the Magic Monster Show with Random Acts of Silliness begins at 10am, plus win prizes as part of the children’s Earth Day Passport program. The event will also include a petting zoo and face painting booth!
The Gallatin Valley Earth Day event will also see the start of 2024 Bozeman CleanUp Week, set for April 20th–27th. Individuals and groups are encouraged to help pick up litter around Bozeman after a long winter! As the snow melts, we tend to see more trash around our neighborhoods. Not only do cleanups improve habitat for humans and critters within city limits, but they also directly impact our downstream neighbors by helping to keep our streams and rivers clean. Clean-up supplies will be available at the Festival and registration information can be found through the City of Bozeman website.
The Earth Day Festival is FREE and open to the public. Find additional details at www.gallatinvalleyearthday.org, where you can also access more information about the Earth Day Passport. Earn stamps, then submit for a drawing to win a prize!
Gallatin Valley Earth Day encourages local citizen action to help protect our planet from right here in the Gallatin Valley. The group came together in creation of a Bozeman festival that celebrates this vital work. Learn more by visiting the aforementioned website. •
