Join us for an unforgettable Earth Day celebration packed with fun, learning, and opportunities to make a real impact! Get up close and personal with amazing animals during special conservation-themed encounters led by our expert naturalists. Explore interactive stations hosted by our incredible community and conservation partners — perfect for curious minds of all ages! Plus, swing by the Trailside Café to taste-test our exclusive Earth Day sustainable menu options. Delicious and eco-friendly!
Let’s make Earth Day wild!
*Animal demos/enrichment are always subject to change/cancellation without notice due to the care and comfort of the animal.
RIT – Butterfly Beltway Capstone Project
Time: 9:30am to 1:00pm
Join us for a hands-on activity focused on native plants and pollinators in your hometown! Learn how seed balls can help support local pollinators by planting native plants in your garden or community spaces. Discover the importance of native plants in local ecosystems and how they contribute to sustaining pollinator populations. Take home your very own seed balls to plant and make a difference!
Impact Earth
Time: TBD
“Ask a Fox!” Meet Lily Fox and ask nature based questions! Additionally learn about community science projects taking place in Rochester with Impact Earth!
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Get hands-on with composting! Dig in, find worms, identify their food, and explore Cornell’s vermicomposting systems. A fun and educational look at food waste and soil health.
Goodwill of the Fingerlakes
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Give old T-shirts a second life by transforming them into fun, no-sew superhero capes or tote bags. This hands-on activity teaches kids and families how to creatively reuse textiles and reduce waste—turning what might be tossed out into something useful and imaginative. Choose one of two upcycled projects to complete at the table (limited time slots available) or take home a free DIY kit with all the materials and instructions. A fun and meaningful way to celebrate sustainability—while supplies last!
Diamond Packaging
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Join Diamond Packaging for hands-on planting activities! Kids will plant Colorado blue spruce saplings and wildflower seeds in biodegradable paperboard cartons as part of the TICCIT program and the Zoo’s Butterfly Beltway conservation initiative. Learn how sustainable packaging and planting can support a healthier planet.
Montezuma Audubon Center
Time: TBD
Across aisles. Across landscapes. Across borders. When it comes to our environment, birds are a uniting force. Stop by to learn more about how Audubon is helping protect birds and their habitats both in our local marshes and around the globe.
RG&E – Smart Energy Programs
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Explore RG&E’s energy-saving programs and rebates that help make your home more energy-efficient. Learn how eco-friendly choices can improve comfort, reduce your energy use, and support a more sustainable future. Learn more
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn about the Lake Ontario Watershed and how pollutants can affect the ecosystem. Discover steps we can take to protect our water and environment for future generations.
Color Rochester Green & The Climate Solutions Accelerator
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Discover how you can take action at the community level to combat climate change. Learn about energy efficiency, clean energy technology, and collective climate solutions that support both people and the planet.
Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Stop by to talk about local water quality! Learn how Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District works to protect our water resources and how you can help too.
Zoo Sustainers
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Saving wildlife and wild places doesn’t take a break – learn how you can be a Zoo Sustainer all year round! Just for Earth Day at the Zoo, sign on to start your monthly donations and receive a special magnet.
Learn More
The Mission Continues
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Mission Continues empowers veterans to serve their communities in areas where help is needed most. Stop by to learn more about how this organization connects veterans with service opportunities.
Monroe County Department of Environmental Services
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Can I recycle a pizza box? How about a milk carton? Learn where and how your household items can be recycled. Monroe County has a number of resources available for families wanting to live sustainably.
Join the Seneca Park Zoo for our annual Earth Day clean up at Durand Eastman Beach! Last year with the help of over 150 volunteers we removed ~307lbs of trash from the beach.
Location: Durand Eastman Beach
Date: April 18th, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Address: 1342 Lakeshore Boulevard, Rochester NY, 14622
Meeting Location: Parking Lot A
2026 City Nature Challenge
Help Rochester compete with cities all around the world! From April 24th to 27th use the iNaturalist app to observe the local environment. From April 27th to May 10th help fellow community members identify what they’ve found!
Keep in touch with your friends at Seneca Park Zoo on this event and more! There’s always something happening at the Zoo.
