Environmental sustainability is an ongoing movement, and Earth Day is an excellent reminder of our role in making it a reality.
We’re proud to recognize seven nonprofits leading the charge. Below you’ll find out how they plan to rally communities with Earth Day donations and volunteer opportunities, and how that fuels their year-round work to support a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable planet.
But first, let’s level set on why Earth Day is so important.
So, When Is Earth Day 2022?
For most countries worldwide, Earth Day falls on April 22 every year. We celebrate Earth Day as winter transitions to spring, a tradition that started in 1970. In recent years, Earth Day evolved into Earth Month to continue the celebrations for 30 days.
The Critical Role of Environmental Sustainability Nonprofits
Environmental sustainability is our collective responsibility to protect our ecosystems and preserve our natural resources. The actions we take today will support and protect the well-being of future generations. Thanks to the work of environmental sustainability nonprofits around the world, donors have an outlet to take action and do their part.
Snapshot: Today’s Environmental Sustainability Stats
A third of the food intended for human consumption (around 1.3 billion tons) is wasted or lost, which is enough to feed 3 billion peopleIf all greenhouse gas emissions stopped in 2020, global warming would only begin to slow by around 2033Roughly 11 million tons of plastic make their way into the oceans every year, harming wildlife habitats and the animals that live in them
Earth Day Donations for Environmental Sustainability
Actions that support environmental sustainability include setting new environmental regulations, developing technology through renewable energy, and leaning into eco-friendly living. Earth Day is a great time to support these initiatives and the creative ways nonprofits dedicate their missions to making changes.
1. California State Parks Foundation
Organization Mission: The California State Parks Foundation is an independent, member-supported nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all.
How California State Parks Foundation Takes Action on Earth Day
Earth Day Climate Action returns as a month-long celebration that encourages anyone and everyone to celebrate Earth Day by becoming a steward of their local state park. The organization calls on passionate park champions across the state to help clean their local parks, playgrounds, neighborhoods, and backyards.
All participants get access to a free DIY Earth Day kit with compostable trash bags, information to properly collect and sort litter in the local community, with some fun stickers of course. California State Park’s Virtual Earth Day Report helps volunteers track their progress and record their impact for prizes.
Connect with California State Park Foundation:
Hashtags to follow: #CalParksEarthDay, #OptOutside
Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @calparks and @REI
2. SF Parks Alliance
Organization Mission:SF Parks Alliance SF Parks Alliance is the only city-wide parks nonprofit in San Francisco. For over 50 years, we’ve been partnering with communities and public agencies to create, sustain, and advocate for parks and public spaces that welcome and belong to everyone.
How SF Parks Alliance Takes Action on Earth Day
Over the last few years, parks across San Francisco have been a lifeline. In 2020, SF Parks Alliance launched their “Heart Your Parks” campaign, lighting city monuments in green and adding social distancing hearts to parks across the city, to acknowledge how important these spaces were during the pandemic. This year, they are relaunching the Heart Your Parks campaign to showcase an ongoing love and gratitude for these special places. Starting on Earth Day, SF Parks Alliance will create 30 hearts in parks across 30 days, and raise funds in support of parks.
Connect with SF Parks Alliance on social media:
Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @SFParksAlliance
3. Fort Greene Park Conservancy
Organization Mission: TheFort Greene Park Conservancy provides programming, maintenance, and advocacy to preserve and nourish Fort Greene Park as a community resource and public space for all New Yorkers for generations to come.
How Fort Greene Park Conservancy Takes Action on Earth Day
Earth Day at Fort Greene Park is a celebration of the natural, open space we share, and of the community that loves and sustains it. Throughout all thirty acres of this verdant space within busy Fort Greene, the organization offers ways for supporters to connect with the land and the neighbors they share it with.
From educational tree walks and scavenger hunts to collaborative art projects and volunteer gardening, this zero-waste event will provide people of all ages with an opportunity to gather together to give back to the planet that gives so much.
Connect with Fort Greene Park Conservancy:
Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram:@fortgreenepark
4. I Love a Clean San Diego County
Organization Mission:I Love A Clean San Diego County leads and inspires the community to conserve and enhance the environment. The organization leads by example, outreach, and local involvement to help residents and businesses build a zero waste, litter-free, and environmentally engaged lifestyle.
How I Love a Clean San Diego Takes Action on Earth Day
2022 marks the 20th anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 23 to celebrate Earth Week. Supporters and volunteers are invited to join thousands of others in the largest environmental cleanup in San Diego County. Creek to Bay started in 2002 and has since blocked 2.7 million pounds of litter from entering the ocean with the help of 87,000 volunteers.
This year, the organization has a goal to collect nearly 100,000 pounds of pollution at more than 70 local site around the region. Donors can also contribute monetarily through one-time donations or recurring gifts on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.
Connect with I Love a Clean San Diego:
Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @ilovecleansd
5. National Forest Foundation
Organization Mission: The National Forest Foundation aims to engage Americans in promoting our National Forests and Grasslands’ health and public enjoyment. They are the leading organization inspiring personal and meaningful connections to our environment through forest conservation efforts and responsible recreation.
How National Forest Foundation Takes Action on Earth Day
The National Forest Foundation is continuing its 50 Million For Our Forests campaign this Earth Day. Since the campaign’s start in 2018, more than 21 million trees have been planted on over 70,000 acres of public National Forest land.
The organization matches every dollar donated with a newly planted tree. They offer supporters the option to pledge one dollar per day for an impact of 365 planted trees by next April.
Connect with National Forest Foundation:
Facebook: @nationalforestfoundation
Twitter and Instagram: @nationalforests
Youtube:@natlforests
Organization Mission: Farmer’s Footprint is a coalition of farmers, educators, doctors, scientists, and business leaders aiming to expose the human and environmental impacts of chemical farming and offer a path forward through regenerative agricultural practices.
How Farmer’s Footprint Takes Action on Earth Day
Farmer’s Footprint is using Earth Day 2022 as a way to launch their first-ever Garden Club with Farmer Greg. After sharing countless farmer stories, they are calling on their community to make a pledge for Mother Earth by getting their own hands dirty.
The Garden Club is an easy-to-follow, fun, and informative 3-week regenerative gardening course meant for anyone who has the desire to start growing food but feels overwhelmed at the idea of learning how to garden. The goal of the course is to help students think deeper about connecting with the land, developing food security, and ensuring their diet consists of the most nutrient-dense food. Together, these new ways of thinking create an impact within their own body, home, and community that extends far beyond this Earth Day.
Connect with Farmer’s Footprint:
Facebook and Instagram:@farmersfootprint
LinkedIn: Farmer’s Footprint
YouTube: Farmer’s Footprint
7. Seattle Parks Foundation
Organization Mission: Seattle Parks Foundation partners with the community to champion thriving and equitable parks and public spaces. They have the vision to help visitors feel welcomed and invested in our parks and public spaces, leading to healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities.
How Seattle Parks Foundation Takes Action on Earth Day
Seattle Parks Foundation celebrates Earth Day by participating in GiveBIG 2022, Washington state’s campaign that pairs supporters with a network of donation opportunities to support causes and regional nonprofits. Throughout April and May, supporters can donate directly to Seattle Parks Foundation’s GiveBIG campaign, People Powered Parks + Public Spaces to support public, green space, and civic projects with over 90+ community-led partners.
Connect with Seattle Parks Foundation:
Facebook and Instagram:@seattleparksfoundation
Twitter: @seaparksfdtn
LinkedIn: Seattle Parks Foundation
YouTube:Seattle Parks Foundation
How Today’s Earth Day Donations Lead to a Brighter Future
The work of environmental sustainability is never done. It takes all of us to come together over many Earth Days, and continue our commitment throughout the year.
Get inspired by the organizations doing the work on the ground, and explore how you can make an impact in your local community to create a brighter future. Every small action or donation today supports a cleaner and greener tomorrow.