KEY WEST
Mote Marine Laboratory’s Ocean Fest, April 20
This community celebration of the Florida Keys’ marine environment takes place Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Truman Waterfront Park in Key West. All ages are invited to enjoy crafts, games, music, food, local brews and shopping as Mote and other environmental organizations provide exhibits. Visit mote.org/oceanfest.
Earth Day 5k Run/Walk, April 20
The Key West Southernmost Runners’ 26th annual Earth Day 5k Run/Walk is set for Saturday, April 20, at Truman Waterfront Park in Key West. Proceeds from the race benefit the Conch Republic Marine Army, a local nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to cleaning and restoring the shallow mangrove habitats of the Florida Keys. Registration is $25 per person. Visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/KeyWest/ED5K.
Earth Day Jam with That Hippie Band, April 22
Key West musician Gary Dempsey and friends perform as That Hippie Band on Earth Day, April 22, at Key West Theater, 512 Eaton St. The band performs songs from the Moody Blues to Joni Mitchell and all points in between. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. Visit thekeywesttheater.com.
Plogging the Keys Earth Day Cleanup, April 22
Plogging the Keys, a group that stages numerous cleanups around Key West, will hold its Earth Day cleanup event in the Triangle area at the entrance to the island city starting at 8 a.m. Monday, April 22. Those interested can meet at Tavern N Town restaurant, 3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
LOWER KEYS
Bahia Honda State Park Earth Day Celebration, April 20
Bahia Honda State Park, 36850 Overseas Highway in the Lower Keys, will stage its 27th annual Earth Day celebration Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about earth-friendly practices from conservation-minded vendors and enjoy live music and crafts.
Plant Mangroves with Plant a Million Corals and Coastlove, April 20
Plant a Million Corals and Coastlove have partnered for an Earth Day weekend event at Summerland Farms, 23801 Overseas Hwy., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, with tours of the coral and mangrove nurseries and the chance to plant baby mangroves along the shoreline, along with educational activities, live music and refreshments.
Stock Island Earth Day Cleanup, April 29
The Conch Republic Independence Celebration will hold a community cleanup around Stock Island from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20. Participants are to meet at Bernstein Park, 6751 5th St., for the cleanup effort. Vests, pokers and buckets will be provided and people are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes.
Full Moon Kayak Excursion, April 23 Captain Bill Keogh’s Big Pine Kayak Adventures hosts a full moon paddle Tuesday, April 23, the day after Earth Day. Paddlers on the 6:30-8:30 p.m. excursion can explore the mangrove estuary, view the full moon and learn about the area’s delicate ecosystem. Cost is a $30 donation that supports the Florida Keys Wildlife Society. Visit floridakeyswildlifesociety.org/full-moon-kayak-excursions.
MARATHON
Visit the Turtle Hospital: Wildlife enthusiasts can celebrate Earth Day – and every day – by touring the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital, 2396 Overseas Highway in Marathon, to view sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation from illnesses and injuries. Visitors can even symbolically adopt a turtle to help support its care. A licensed veterinary hospital dedicated to the treatment of sea turtles, the Turtle Hospital was opened in 1986 with the goal of healing injured sea turtles and returning them to the wild. Turtle patients are released back to their ocean home when fully rehabilitated. Check Facebook.com/theturtlehospital for details on releases around Earth Day and in the coming weeks.
ISLAMORADA
I.CARE Coral Restoration Dives: I.CARE is a nonprofit group dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of the coral reef communities in Islamorada and the Florida Keys. Co-founder Mike Goldberg was named a 2023 CNN Hero for his successful efforts to recruit recreational divers to assist marine scientists in out-planting nursery-raised coral on Islamorada-area reefs. Coral transplant dives are offered every Saturday and the third Sunday of each month – including April 20 and 21 just before Earth Day – with three participating Upper Keys dive shops. Those interested can join the citizen science effort while exploring Keys reefs with other conservation-minded divers who enjoy giving back to the underwater realm that provide so much enjoyment.icareaboutcoral.org/schedule
I.CARE Trash Derby: The week after Earth Day, I.CARE is to hold its second annual Trash Derby and Festival. Set for Thursday through Sunday, May 2-5, it includes two days of debris collection both underwater and on land. Thanks to sponsorship from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in support of Goal: Clean Seas, the marine debris collection dives are free for certified divers from participating dive shops from Key Largo to Key West. For land and shoreline cleanups, participants can form their own teams or join an existing team. To cap the weekend, a free public festival is scheduled May 5 at Islamorada’s Founders Park, 87000 Overseas Highway. Attractions include an award ceremony for top debris collectors, live music, raffles, silent auction, games and activities, exhibits from coral restoration organizations and other environmentally minded vendors, food and more. icaretrashderby.com
