Asheville area Earth Day roundup: Cleanups, 5Ks, pollinator events celebrate environment

Carole Terrell
Updated ·3 min read
Asheville Greenworks and Beloved Asheville called together more than 200 volunteers for a trash cleanup event April 19, 2022, which resulted in the gathering of 700 pounds of trash.
Asheville Greenworks and Beloved Asheville called together more than 200 volunteers for a trash cleanup event April 19, 2022, which resulted in the gathering of 700 pounds of trash.

ASHEVILLE - The 53rd annual Earth Day is April 22, an especially festive day across Asheville, Buncombe County and Western North Carolina.

Some residents take advantage of the whole month of April, a time to celebrate the region's stunning natural resources and the conservation efforts through the past five decades, highlight the work that still needs to be done to curb pollution and mitigate climate change and roll up their sleeves to give back through service work.

Following are some of the many activities taking place across the mountains.

Asheville GreenWorks Earth Day Haywood Road Cleanup. Meet 10 a.m.-noon April 22 at New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St., Asheville. This year’s first Haywood Road Cleanup in West Asheville coincides with GreenWorks’ 50th birthday and Earth Day. Volunteers can register at ashevillegreenworks.org.

Asheville Only One Earth Coalition activist party. From 5-7 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Road, Asheville. Music, food, activist group information, benefit raffle for Southside Community Garden. Admission: $10-$25 sliding scale; no one turned away. Visit oneworldbrewing.com.

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Carolina Mountain Club Trail and Pisgah Conservancy Project Day. April 22 on Sam Knob Trail off of Blue Ridge Parkway and other trails in Pisgah National Forest including at Looking Glass Falls and Fryingpan Tower. No trail maintenance experience necessary. All volunteers, including minors, must register individually on the Pisgah Project Day website. Register by 5 p.m. April 17.

Earth Day Extravaganza: Noon-3 p.m. April 22 at Highlands Botanical Garden, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands. Scavenger hunt, nature arts and crafts. Wildflower walk at 4 p.m. Free but donations welcome. Visit www.highlandsbotanical.org.

Hendo Earth Fest: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 22 in downtown Hendersonville. Exhibits that educate and inform about natural environment in a fun, festive atmosphere.

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Earth Day 5K and One Mile Fun Run: 8-11 a.m. April 22, Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road, Asheville. Music, snacks, booths from sponsors and environmental partners. Visit greenbuilt.org/EarthDay5K to register.

Swannanoa Sweep Community Cleanup: 9 a.m.-noon April 22. Meet in Ingles parking lot, 2323 US 70. Volunteers in small groups pick up litter from roadsides. Gloves, bags, safety vests provided. For more info, contact Maureen Dillow at 828-713-8836 or mdillow2@bellsouth.net.

Pollinator Palooza: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain. Kid’s area with crafts and activities, Buzzy Bee music program 10 a.m. at museum, costume parade 11:30 a.m., artists market, bee hive demos. Visit www.blackmountainarts.org.

Lake Lure Flowering Bridge Earth Day Celebration: From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 22 at the Flowering Bridge, 3070 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure. Children's art, games, educational materials, storytellers, scavenger hunts, plant sales and retired County Extension Agent John Vining talks "Soil 101" at 11 a.m. Email info@lakelurefloweringbridge.org.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville celebrates Earth Day with cleanups, a 5K and festivals