What to know about Earth Day 2023 events in El Paso, Las Cruces

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
·4 min read

Saturday is Earth Day, an opportunity to raise environmental consciousness of issues that affect the planet.

Many people are being good, responsible citizens already by driving electric cars, conserving energy and water, and recycling and composting.

More: When is Earth Day? Everything to know about the holiday, its history

Around El Paso, there are several activities planned, including tree plantings, to celebrate this special day, which is commemorated every year on April 22.

Here are some of the events:

There will be a variety of events for Earth Day on Saturday in El Paso and Las Cruces.
There will be a variety of events for Earth Day on Saturday in El Paso and Las Cruces.

City plans variety of events including Earth Day at El Paso Zoo

The Downtown Art and Farmers Market will hold an Earth Day market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Arts Festival Plaza, next to the El Paso Museum of Art. The event will feature activities, community partners, and giveaways.

Cielo Vista Mall will celebrate Earth Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday with a “Go Green” event focused on sustainability and recycling. Visitors can learn new ways to go green in partnership with Casa Nissan and explore stations hosted by El Paso Electric, Starbucks, Harmony Public Schools, LUSH Handmade Cosmetics and El Paso Disposal. The event will take place at the mall’s lower level at the women’s Dillard’s court at 8401 Gateway Blvd. W.

The El Paso Public Library is having a monthlong Reading Challenge for all ages. The challenge is broken down into three categories, with different reading lists: pre-K to second grade; grades three to seven; and grade eight to adult. The challenge runs through April 30. Visit www.ElPasoLibrary.org to sign up.

Artworks made from recycled products were on display as the city of El Paso's Environmental Services Department held an Earth Day celebration April 20, 2019, at San Jacinto Plaza.
Artworks made from recycled products were on display as the city of El Paso's Environmental Services Department held an Earth Day celebration April 20, 2019, at San Jacinto Plaza.

The city of El Paso's Environmental Services Department has joined the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens to offer a large Earth Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the zoo. The department will have booths and activities outside the zoo, while the Party for the Planet will be happening inside.

For more information: www.ElPasoTexas.gov/Earth-Month

El Paso Locomotive honor environmental nonprofits

El Paso Locomotive FC will honor three local, environmental nonprofits for Earth Day, which will take place throughout the match against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday at Southwest University Park.

Eco El Paso, El Paso Zoo Society and Green Hope Project will all be recognized during the match in honor of their environmental service to El Paso and the surrounding region. In addition, the El Paso Zoo Society and Green Hope Project will have tables at the stadium to promote and educate El Pasoans about different ways they can get involved in community efforts and become more sustainable.

Gates at Southwest University Park will open at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10 on up.

El Paso County plans tree planting, screening of 'The Lorax' for Earth Day

The El Paso County Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with Eco El Paso to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day with a community celebration. The free, family friendly event will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta Drive.

Eco El Paso will donate 25 trees to Ascarate Park that will be planted during the event, which also will include informational booths featuring a wide array of businesses, nonprofits, artists and food vendors. County Parks & Recreation will host various recycling activities, an Earth Day Scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, a screening of “The Lorax,” and much more at the Ascarate Park Pavilion.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and chairs to enjoy the park. Food trucks will be available from noon to 2 p.m.

Earth Day celebration in Las Cruces

The Museum of Nature & Science on Saturday in Las Cruces will have activities and presentations in honor of Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 411 N. Main St. Admission to the museum and activities are free and open to the public.

The city of Las Cruces’ Sustainability Office, Solid Waste and Wastewater will feature programs with information about how the city supports sustainable practices and what you can do at home. The Las Cruces Railroad Museum, and the Museum of Art, as well as the NMSU Civil Engineering Department and Doña Ana Master Gardeners, also will participate.

Participants will learn about several conservation and sustainability topics, from reintroduction of the Mexican grey wolf to composting, as well as temperature mapping and more.

Information: https://www.lascruces.gov/museums; 575-532-3372.

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Earth Day 2023 events: tree planting, zoo fun, art market in El Paso