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
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!
NYS Wildlife Rehabilitators
Have you ever found wildlife in need of assistance? How can you tell if an animal is injured, orphaned, or ill? Who is the best person to call? Are you interested in becoming a rehabber yourself? Stop by and learn from a NYS wildlife rehabilitator what you can do to help the animals in and around Rochester!
Cornell Cooperative Extension
From Roots to Wings – follow the connection between trees and pollinators through games, and interactive learning! Join us to explore how every tree and pollinator plays a role in a healthier planet.
Goodwill of the Fingerlakes
Transform a T-shirt into a reusable tote bag while learning how creative reuse reduces land waste. Complete your project at our activity table or take home a free DIY kit with instructions.
Diamond Packaging
Join Diamond Packaging for hands-on planting activities and a recycling game! Kids will plant Colorado blue spruce saplings to honor Earth Day and highlight the renewability and sustainability of paper and paperboard packaging.
Diamond will also help children plant wildflower seeds to support Seneca Park Zoo’s Butterfly Beltway conservation project. The goal of the project is to add more gardens, inspire others to plant gardens, and reach more people about the importance of butterfly conservation!
Montezuma Audubon Center
The Montezuma Audubon Center is a hub for conservation and education! It’s also one of the most important stopover sites for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. At our table, you’ll also have the chance to make one of three easy-to-assemble bird treats to take home. A simple, nature-friendly snack that helps support the birds in your own backyard!
Rochester Museum and Science Center
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.
CASCADE
Come and chat with local partners from RIT and NYSG to learn more about our local watersheds and stormwater. The CASCADE (Community Action for Stormwater Cleanup and Debris Elimination) team works with schools, recreation centers, and outreach groups to educate youth on the various ways marine debris is entering our environment. The main ways we look at this is with LittaTraps™, which are baskets that are put into stormdrains to capture debris and by performing neighborhood cleanups. Join us and create art out of litter!
Climate Solutions | Color Rochester Green
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.
Zoo Sustainers
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
Monroe County Department of Environmental Services
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.
New York State Parks
Conserving Through Observing- Did you know that simple observations of natural events can make a big difference? By noticing and sharing the changes plants and animals experience throughout the year, we can build a closer connection with nature while helping scientists better understand how organisms are responding to climate change! Learn more about this practice, New York State Parks, the many seasons and the wonders each brings through a game and conversation at our table. We hope to see you there!
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.
