Every year there are many environmental events around the globe that one can take part in. The problem is knowing when each one of them are! With that in mind, we have put together a month by month list of events you can get involved in, along with the links to each one. Good luck choosing just a few!

January

Arbor Day celebrations – It’s been over 135 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day, a day set aside to plant trees.
National Bird Day – January 5 – Nearly 12 percent of the world’s 9,800 bird species may face extinction within the next century.

February

Schools Clean Up Day Australia – February 1 – Since 1992, schools across Australia have participated in Schools Clean Up Day.
World Wetlands Day – February 2 – Each year, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general.
World Day of Social Justice – February 20 – Social development aims at social justice, solidarity, harmony and equality within and among countries and social justice, equality and equity constitute the fundamental values of all societies.
Recyclemania – First week of February – RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities.

March

World Water Day – March 22 – The objective of this International Year is to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services.
Earth Hour – Mid-March – Earth Hour now inspires a global community of millions of people in 7,001 cities and towns across 152 countries and territories to switch lights off for an hour as a massive show of concern for the environment.
Meatout – Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, compassionate diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains.
World Forestry Day – March 21 – The mission is to educate and inform people about the world’s forests and trees, and environmental sustainability.
Zero Waste Week – Mid-March – Established to promote positive alternatives to landfill and incineration and to raise community awareness of the social and economic benefits to be gained when waste is regarded as a resource base upon which can be built both employment and business opportunity.

April

Earth Day – Third week of April – More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.
Save the Frogs Day – End of April – Save The Frogs Day is the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation action.
National Environmental Education Week – April 10-16 – The nation’s largest celebration of environmental education held each year the week before Earth Day and inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students.

May

World Fair Trade Day – Around 100,000 people attend hundreds of celebrations to promote Fair Trade and campaign for trade justice together with farmers & artisans.
International Migratory Bird Day – Celebrates and brings attention to one of the most important and spectacular events in the Americas – bird migration
International Day for Biological Diversity – May 22 – To increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues
World No Tobacco Day – May 31 – Informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
Endangered Species Day – May 21 – An opportunity for people young and old to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions that people can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining open space.
National (U.S.) Public Gardens Day – May 7 – Developed in an effort to raise public awareness about the importance of public gardens.
Plant Conservation Day – May 18 – A global celebration dedicated to preserving, protecting, and conserving plants for people and the planet.

June

World Environment Day – June 5 – An annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action
World Ocean Day – June 8 – Celebrate and honor the body of water which links us all, for what it provides humans and what it represents
National Trails Day – First Saturday of June – Participate in a local hike, cycling event, horseback ride, trail maintenance project, paddle trip, health fair, geocaching activity, photo safari, birdwatching expedition, and more.
Global Wind Day -June 15 – A worldwide event for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world.

July

World Population Day – July 11 – Many activities and campaigns will call attention to the essential part that reproductive health plays in creating a just and equitable world.

August

International Youth Day – August 12 – A global call to action to develop and engage in partnerships with and for youth.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People – August 9 – Highlights the importance of indigenous media in challenging stereotypes, forging indigenous peoples’ identities, communicating with the outside world, and influencing the social and political agenda.

September

International Coastal Cleanup Day – Second or third Saturday of September – Ocean Conservancy has removed millions of pounds of trash from our oceans – with your help we can stop ocean trash, clean up our beaches and protect our ocean.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – September 16 – Commemorates the date in 1987 on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed.
Clean Up the World Campaign – Third weekend of September – Inspires and empowers communities to clean up, fix up and conserve their environment.
World Carfree Day Campaign – September 22 – People from around the world get together in the streets, intersections, and neighbourhood blocks to remind the world that we don’t have to accept our car-dominated society.
National Wildlife Day – September 4 – Serves to bring awareness to the number of endangered animals nationally as well as globally, that need to be preserved and rescued from their demise each year, but also to acknowledge U.S. zoos and outstanding animal sanctuaries for everything they do to help preserve this planet’s animals and educate the public about conservation
International Day of Peace – September 21 – Provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.

October

World Vegetarian Day – October 1 – Make a difference by informing others about the benefits of vegetarianism.
World Habitat Day – First Monday in October – Special activities highlight the need for safe, decent and affordable shelter.
World Food Day – October 16 – Helps increase understanding of problems and solutions in the drive to end hunger.
Food Day – Third week of October – A nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food.
World Wildlife Week– October 1-7 – National Wildlife Federation’s longest-running education program designed around teaching and connecting kids to the awesome wonders of wildlife.
National Tour of Solar Homes – Offers the opportunity to tour innovative green homes and buildings to see how you can use solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies to reduce monthly utility bills and help tackle climate change.

November

World Vegan Day – November 1 – Celebrates the coining of the term, ‘vegan’ and the founding of The Vegan Society in November 1944.
Buy Nothing Day – Late November – Make a vow to yourself to participate in Buy Nothing Day this year. This November 23rd, go cold turkey on consumption for 24 hours … see what happens … you just might have an unexpected, emancipatory epiphany!
America Recycles Day – Mid-November – Encourages everyone to start recycling.
Fur Free Friday – Day after Thanksgiving – The day on which animal advocates all around the globe educate holiday shoppers about the fur, leather, down, and wool industries.

December

International Volunteer Day – December 5 – Building on the achievements of Rio to further raise the global consciousness of volunteering

Have you participated in any of these events?