April is an exciting month at Urban Green Lab because it’s Earth Month!
If you’re looking for how to celebrate Earth Month or Earth Day in Nashville, we have a roundup of different ways to celebrate the beauty of our planet and learn about solutions that make our planet, its people, and their prosperity a top priority.
Read on for ways to celebrate and learn with Urban Green Lab, other local organizations, or on your own!
Celebrate and Learn with Urban Green Lab
- Attend Nashville Earth Day on April 20
- “Presented in partnership with Urban Green Lab and sustained by Amazon, Nissan, and HCA Healthcare Foundation, this free, family-friendly event brings the Nashville community together to celebrate our planet, inspire positive environmental change, and support sustainable small businesses and nonprofits. Nashville Earth Day will feature engaging and educational activities from more than 75 exhibitors and vendors, including local growers and makers, nonprofits, sustainable small businesses, and state/metro government agencies. The event will also include free live music, engaging Kidsville activities for all ages, and local food vendors. Returning this year is the EarthTalks Tent, which will feature a diverse lineup of experts providing information about interacting with nature and actionable, sustainable living tips for attendees.”
- Visit sustainably-minded coffee shops in the Earth Month Coffee Crawl from April 1-22
- Take a self-guided tour of the sustainability and food waste prevention efforts of Nashville coffee shops with the Earth Month Coffee Crawl from April 1-22, presented by Urban Green Lab and Zero Waste Nashville. Participating coffee shops include Bongo on Belmont, Bongo East, Fido, Flora & Fauna, Little Coffee Joint, The Café at Rocketown, The Library Cafe, Weak Coffee, and 8th and Roast.
- Visit a new restaurant with the Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge from April 12-20
- Select Nashville-area restaurants will showcase a prix fixe meal or menu special that incorporates elements of sustainability like organically produced, sustainably recovered, or locally sourced ingredients. Participating restaurants include 1 Kitchen Nashville, Butcher and Bee, Miel, Radical Rabbit, Smokin’ Oaks, and the Sunflower Cafe.
- Sign up to be a UGL Volunteer
- The UGL Volunteers are Urban Green Lab’s frontline ambassadors working to make Nashville a more sustainable place. On their own time, volunteers connect their families, friends, and neighbors to key educational resources that inspire sustainable choices at home, like saving energy and reducing wasted food. We believe this monthly outreach is an impactful way to connect neighbors around topics of sustainability. Register for the next training on May 18 by clicking here.
- Learn more about reducing food waste and visit our murals around town
- We have two murals installed to increase awareness about food waste in Nashville. Learn more about food waste and the mural project by clicking here, and visit our murals to find inspiration through art. Murals are located on the Bandywood Drive side of the Kroger in Green Hills at 2131 Abbott Martin Rd and on the store windows at Patagonia Nashville in the Gulch at 601 Overton St.
- Invest in sustainability education in Nashville with a donation to Urban Green Lab
- Urban Green Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that teaches communities how to live sustainably in Nashville, TN, and its surrounding counties. Our work is made possible through donations. Will you invest in a more sustainable Nashville for all this Earth Month?
Celebrate and Learn with Other Local Organizations - in order by date and time
- Attend the Spring Planting Party with Root Nashville on April 6
- “This family-friendly event will teach you the foundations of planting a tree in a way that encourages the long-term viability of the tree. All tree planting supplies will be provided — however, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own shovels!”
- Attend Nashville’s Food Waste Prevention Week Event with Network for Sustainable Solutions on April 6
- “Join us for FREE family-friendly activities to learn how to reduce food waste at home! This year, Network for Sustainable Solutions (NSS) is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to host Nashville's event at Yazoo Brewing from 1-4 p.m. Guests will be guided through the life cycle of a food system, starting at the production stage of food (growing and farming) and journeying all the way to disposal (composting)."
- Drop off hard-to-recycle items at Tennessee Environmental Council’s Recycling Roundup at Nissan Headquarters on April 6
- “A community event organized and hosted by Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) and local environmental supporters, where residents may drop off certain hard-to-recycle items like tires, mattresses, scrap metal, and Styrofoam to be recycled, free of charge.”
- Run in the Richland Creek Run by Greenways for Nashville on April 6
- “One of Nashville’s signature running events, the Richland Creek Run is an annual 5-mile run/walk that takes place each spring to support and celebrate Nashville’s growing system of greenways. Leading participants through sections of the historic Sylvan Park neighborhood as well as along the beautiful Richland Creek Greenway, the Richland Creek Run is open to participants of all ages and abilities, welcoming serious runners, walkers, joggers, and strollers alike. There is also a one-mile walk and a children’s Dinky Dash for registrants who are in, but not for 5 miles!”
- Get household items repaired at the Nashville Public Library Bellevue Branch Repair Fair on April 6
- “Do you have items that need fixing? We can help! We will have volunteers skilled in fixing all kinds of different items so we can get your broken items back to working condition. Please register. Registration does not guarantee service but will guarantee you are seen before a walk-in. If you have any questions, please contact megan.sheridan@nashville.gov.”
- Volunteer for the Richland Creek Cleanup with the Harpeth Conservancy on April 13
- “Join us for a walking clean up of Richland Creek on April 13 from 10 a.m.- noon! We’ll collect trash and debris and learn more about how to be a life-long clean water advocate and river steward. Trash grabbers, gloves, trash bags, and snacks will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle to help us cut down on plastic waste.”
- Volunteer for the Casa Azafran Park Cleanup with Conexión Américas on April 16
- “Help us clean up the Casa Azafrán park by disposing of trash. All necessary materials, including gloves, trash bags, and masks, will be provided to all volunteers. This opportunity is weather dependent, and a staff member will be in contact if the date or time changes.”
- Attend Unearthing Joy’s Farm Fridays on April 19
- “Theme: What Do We Do With What We Grow? April 19th: Nielah Burnett of InnerG Juice & Yoga will be sharing about the benefits of juicing and we’ll get to taste different juices and make popsicles! During this immersive series, we will be sharing the different ways that we can utilize what we grow to support our health. We will explore juicing, herbalism, and soap making. Cost is $25/family (rather than per child).”
- Volunteer at the Earth Day in the Hood Community Clean-Up by Recycle and Reinvest and The Sunrise Movement on April 20 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- “Recycle and Reinvest and The Sunrise Movement proudly presents Earth Day In the Hood COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP, a vibrant and educational fundraiser event on April 20th. This event celebrates people and the planet, focusing on marginalized communities affected by environmental inequality.”
- Attend Earth Day in the Hood by Recycle and Reinvest and The Sunrise Movement on April 20 from 6 - 10 p.m.
- “Recycle and Reinvest and The Sunrise Movement proudly present Earth Day In the Hood, a vibrant and educational fundraiser event on April 20th. This event celebrates people and the planet, focusing on marginalized communities affected by environmental inequality. Attendees can expect a dynamic lineup of activities, including watching a thought-provoking movie, engaging in upcycling arts and crafts, enjoying healthy snacks, and grooving to the beats of a talented hip-hop artist.”
- Learn to ride a bike at Learn to Ride with Bike Fun and Walk Bike Nashville on April 21
- “Learn to Ride is a free community course for those who are ready to learn to ride a bicycle. Whether you are 5 or 75, our certified instructors will help you get from zero to riding in no time. This course is organized by Walk Bike Nashville and led by Bike Fun. This course is for folks who have never pedaled a bicycle before! It will cover getting onto the bike, basic balance, braking and stopping, pedaling, and turning.”
- Volunteer at the Browns Creek Litter Cleanup with Tennessee Environmental Council on April 25
- “Please join TEC to remove litter and recyclables in Browns Creek and Fair Park for Earth Week!”
- Attend Ticket to Ride with multiple transit-focused organizations on April 26
- “Join us by taking a FREE ride on the WeGo Star Train to Donelson Station on Friday, April 26 at 4:10 pm. Hosted by the Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT), Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, Transit Now, WeGo, Civic Design Center, Network for Sustainable Solutions, and the Nashville Connector. Hear about project updates from agencies, including the Nashville Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Councilpersons (to be announced), and the Mayor’s Office.”
- Attend the Painting the Greenways Art Show by Greenways for Nashville - April 26-28
- “We’re thrilled to partner with The Chestnut Group, plein air painters for the land, on a public art show and sale appropriately named, Painting the Greenways. Featuring original works by Chestnut artists, Painting the Greenways will showcase our beloved greenways, their scenery, flora, and fauna. Painting the Greenways will be free and open to the public, and you are bound to recognize some of your favorite spots.”
- Volunteer with Brooklyn Heights Community Graden Energy Exchange - multiple dates
- “Occurring twice a month, these 2-hour volunteer sessions allow us to connect with ourselves, each other, and the Earth. We provide the tools, the instruction, and the love-filled garden space. You bring your hands and your heart. Together, we help the garden thrive as a healing space and source of locally grown produce for our historically under-resourced neighborhood.”
- Attend an event by Friends of Shelby Park - multiple dates
- Immerse yourself in nature, learn more about local wildlife and flora, and volunteer in Shelby Park.
- Volunteer with the Nashville Food Project in their gardens or kitchen - multiple dates
- “We strive to live into the belief that the way we do our work is as important as the work we do. There are so many different forms of community, and our volunteers are an essential part of the TNFP family! Each month, around 150 unique volunteers invest their hands and hearts into the collective work of community food security through select opportunities in our kitchens and at our Community Farm.”
- Attend a Nashville Public Library event - multiple dates
- Join the Nashville Public Library for multiple workshops and events in April to learn how to garden, swap plants and seeds, save seeds, and more!
- Take a class with Turnip Green Creative Reuse - multiple dates
- “Our studio workshops are open to the public and hosted in our Studio! These hands-on workshops use materials from our Reuse Center and are taught by local artists. We offer both adult and kids workshops for the community. Our schedule and sign-ups can be found on our event calendar.”
Celebrate and Learn on Your Own
- Get out in nature and explore a local park
- Take a moment to experience the Earth’s sights and sounds by immersing yourself in nature at a local park. Nashville offers multiple options for immersing yourself in nature through local parks. Some of our team’s favorites include Shelby Park, Radnor Lake, Centennial Park, and Edwin and Percy Warner Parks.
- Participate in No Mow Month with the Cumberland River Compact
- “Throughout the entire month of April, the Cumberland River Compact is encouraging residents of Davidson County to give their mowers a rest and let their grass grow! By participating in No Mow Month, residents can actively improve water quality, reduce carbon emissions, and create healthy habitats.”
- Watch a documentary
- Learn at home by watching a documentary about nature, wildlife, sustainability, or environmental issues.
- Borrow seeds from the Nashville Public Libary Seed Exchange
- “The Seed Exchange offers access to local librarians who will support, coach, and cheer you on as you grow your own home, school, church, or community garden. The best part about our Seed Exchange: it’s free! All you need is a library card."
Did we miss an Earth Month event? Email us at katie@urbangreenlab.org, and let us know!
About Urban Green Lab:
We teach communities how to live sustainably. A Nashville-based nonprofit founded in 2009, we work to ensure all of us have access to sustainable living education. To do that, we organize, train, and connect people in classrooms, households, and workplaces – places where culture begins. In all of these places, we incorporate education on two strategic topics of sustainability for Nashville: environmental justice and food waste, connecting everyday decisions to the impact on our neighbors and the planet.