This Earth Day, Angelenos attempt to make a positive difference in this smog-filled city with different events and ways to keep a “green” lifestyle. At some events and online people can join the carbon neutral campaign to offset contribution to emissions. As a city that relies heavily on commuting, it is close to impossible to remove all emissions from daily life. Students can take bigger steps to being green and embracing the somewhat hidden beauty of Los Angeles, highlighted in the following events. Show off more ways of being green by carpooling, taking public transportation or biking to these events.

April 21-22 (Weekend Long events)

• The Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge have entertainment, BBQ and family activities planned for their Earth Day celebrations. The event features Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a Mobile Homeboys concert, and an eco-friendly family BBQ. All events are free with an $8 general admission ticket to the gardens.  http://www.descansogardens.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=504:earthday&catid=48:events&Itemid=73

• Every year the Antelope Valley honors California’s official state flower on Earth Day weekend with the California Poppy Festival in Lancaster. The festival is on 55 acres of land with hundreds of exhibits and performances carrying the message of caring for the environment. Performances include bands, dances and international performances. Festival general admission is $8.
• http://www.poppyfestival.com/index.php

• The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts its 12th annual Earth Day program where patrons can learn everyday tips to protect the planet. In addition to the aquariums, there will be hands-on demonstrations and booths featuring eco-friendly organizations. General admission is $25, but patrons can pay only $7 if they bring in an e-waste product. Aquarium of the Pacific members get in free.
• http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/earth_day_celebration/

• K-EARTH and the Los Angeles Zoo team up for the Los Angeles Zoo Earth Day Expo. Events include recycled crafts, informational booths, deejays and a celebration of the special California wildlife all around us. General admission is $16.
• http://www.doubleknot.com/registration/calendardetail.asp?ActivityKey=1143446

• In Santa Monica yoga-enthusiasts can enjoy an Earth Day celebration at the Tadasana Festival sponsored by eight yoga studios located at the beach. There will be over 60 vendors promoting eco-goodness, artwork, organic food, yoga tents, and chill zones. Tickets are $99 each day, but yoga classes and lectures are included. Online there are discounts available.
• http://www.tadasanafestival.com/

April 21

• Redondo Beach will have a community beach cleanup followed by a family-friendly celebration. It begins at 10 a.m. and there are several opportunities for participants to get free gifts including one for leaving their cars at home and another for bringing in single-use plastic bags. They also are requesting gently used work attire and shoes to be reused by the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition.  Online there is an event flyer to get free parking at the Redondo Beach Marina if driving is a must. The event is free.
• http://redondobeach.patch.com/topics/Earth+Day

• The Augustus Hawkins Nature Park in Los Angeles will be hosting an Earth Day event including hikes of the nine-acre urban park, nature presentations, kids’ crafts and face-painting. Call the park at (323) 581-4498 for more details.

April 22

• The Los Angeles County Art Museum will be hosting “Earth Without Art is Just ‘EH’” on Sunday, April 22. There will be workshops, bike-related films, storytelling and a guided walk through the natural art on the museum campus. General admission is $15 but patrons can get free admission if they have a receipt for bike parking or use alternative transportation that day.
• http://www.lacma.org/event/earth-day

April 27 & 28

• In Northridge, there will be an e-waste event hosted by Planet Green Recycle of Chatsworth and CSUN. Unwanted e-waste, like printer cartridges, batteries and old technology, will be collected on Lot G10 located at the corner of Lassen St and Zelzah Ave.

May 20

• A little late, but the annual World Fest for Earth Day celebration will be held at Woodley Park at 10:30 a.m. There will be live entertainment, speakers, environmental exhibits, pet adoptions and over 100 eco-friendly exhibitors. There will also be empowering speakers and humanitarian and animal welfare nonprofits. Presale tickets are $7 and at the fest it is $9.
• http://www.worldfestevents.com/