Earth Month in Waco: Ways to Get Involved This April

Waco residents have a variety of opportunities to connect with the environment and their community this spring through a series of Earth Month events. Activities throughout April focus on conservation, education and volunteerism, offering options for all ages and interests.

Act Locally Waco With Waco Walks

Waco Walks will host a guided nature walk Saturday, April 25, at 9 a.m. at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd., in Woodway, where participants will meet in front of the Whitehall Center. Led by Heart of Texas Master Naturalists Aaron Lincoln and Randy King, the walk will explore the Arboretum’s gardens, groves and trails, with discussion focused on native plants, wildflowers and local wildlife, including birds and insects. The walk is approximately 1.5 miles and includes a mix of paved and gravel surfaces. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear appropriate footwear, especially if there has been recent rain. Parking is available at the Pavilion at the Arboretum, Woodway City Hall and the Woodway Family Center. Dogs are allowed but must remain on a leash and follow Arboretum rules. The walk will take place rain or shine, and in the event of severe weather or cancellation, updates will be sent via email. For more information, contact Ashley Thornton at [email protected].

Message from Waco-McLennan Public Health:
Earth Day is an opportunity to care for the environment and support a healthier community. Reducing food waste is one simple way to make an impact. Cutting back on waste can help save money, ensure more people have access to food and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.

One way to reduce food waste is to better understand what “best by” labels actually mean, as they refer to food quality rather than safety. Labels such as “best if used by/before” indicate when a product will taste its best but do not mean the food is unsafe to eat afterward. A “sell by” date is intended for retailers to manage inventory and does not determine safety for consumers, while a “use by” date reflects peak quality and is generally not related to food safety, except in the case of infant formula, which should not be used after that date.

According to Waco-McLennan Public Health, 5.7 million tons of food were wasted in Texas in 2022, and individuals in the United States waste an average of $759 per year on uneaten food. More information is available at www.fsis.usda.gov as part of the Live Well Waco McLennan County initiative.

Information from Keep Waco Beautiful:
Keep Waco Beautiful is offering multiple ways for residents to get involved in Earth Month efforts across the city. Individuals can sign up to clean a pre-selected Great Waco Cleanup site or participate in a collaborative cleanup April 25 at the South Waco Library. Each spring, designated cleanup locations are selected throughout Waco to encourage community participation. Supplies are provided, allowing volunteers to make an impact simply by showing up. A full list of cleanup sites is available online.
In addition to cleanup efforts, Keep Waco Beautiful is partnering with the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department to host Arbor Day activities April 24, including a tree planting event at the Waco STEAM Center from 9 to 11 a.m. Registration is required for participation.

The organization is also promoting a digital “Explore Waco’s Green Businesses” passport, which offers discounts at select local businesses. The free passport can be accessed through a web browser and will feature Earth Week specials from April 20 through April 24.
Throughout the month, youth-created upcycled sculpture displays will be on view across Waco from March 21 through April 25. The displays, created using repurposed materials, follow the theme “Our Water, Our Future: Creating Beauty from Waste” and are located at libraries, the Waco STEAM Center and other sites.

These activities are part of the broader H2Waco campaign, which highlights water conservation efforts through community programming and public art installations.
The South Waco Library Cleanup will take place April 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Participants should be aware that the area includes nearby traffic, and safety vests are required. The cleanup is part of the Great Waco Cleanup campaign in partnership with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful. Registration is required.

Care for Waco Carnival Waco Farmers Market
The Waco Downtown Farmers Market will host the Care for Waco Carnival this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of ongoing Earth Day celebrations. The event will feature family-friendly games and activities, along with vouchers that can be used at participating food trucks. The event is hosted by the Waco Youth Council and the City of Waco Office of Sustainability and Resiliency. During the market, the City of Waco Beautification, Arts and Culture Division will also host the Waco Tree Canopy Workshop in recognition of National Arbor Day. Participants who previously registered for the workshop and tree giveaway are encouraged to attend.