Celebrate Earth Month with Events Throughout April in Oak Park
Published on March 26, 2025
April is widely celebrated as Earth Month and the Village of Oak Park is supporting a series of inspiring events designed to connect residents to local sustainability efforts, promote environmental stewardship and foster community resilience. This year’s Earth Month theme is Our Power, Our Planet.
During its meeting on March 18, the Village Board approved a proclamation for Earth Month 2025. Click here to view a reading of the proclamation by Village President Vicki Scaman.
“We are thrilled to be able to partner with so many different organizations to bring an extensive list of activities to celebrate Earth Month in and around Oak Park,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey Roland Nieratka. “From educational workshops to volunteer opportunities, these events offer residents and visitors meaningful ways to engage with climate action and sustainable living. We invite everyone to join us during Earth Month, and beyond, as we strive to make a positive impact on our local environment.”
The kickoff event is the Eco-Extravaganza, set for Sat., April 5 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St.). Attendees of all ages are invited to learn, play and connect with community groups working in the sustainability space while enjoying local treats, green trivia, games, puzzles and film previews. Participants are invited to bring clean plastic shopping bags to recycle and food to donate to Beyond Hunger. Registration is encouraged for this free event, but not required and walk-ins are welcome. Click here to register. The Eco-Extravaganza is hosted in partnership with the Oak Park Public Library, One Earth Local and Climate Ready Community Outreach Oak Park (COOP).
On Sun., April 6, the Oak Park Climate Action Network is hosting an open house from 2 – 4 p.m. to showcase what neighbors are doing to power their homes cleaner, safer, cheaper and greener. Attendees can check out heat pump HVAC and hot water systems, induction stoves, solar arrays and more. Homeowners will be on hand to share experiences and answer questions. The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Click here to register.
Village Clerk Christina M. Waters is hosting a Community Cleanup Day in honor of Earth Month and National Volunteer Week on Sat., April 12. This family-friendly event will begin with a complimentary light breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Village Hall (123 Madison St.). From 9 a.m. until approximately 1 p.m., volunteers will take the streets for a coordinated effort to clean up the community. Click here to learn more about the event and register to participate.
Visit the Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest (738 Thatcher Ave.) on Sun., April 13 between 1-3 p.m. and learn how to create a pocket garden for pollinators. Attendees can learn about local bees and butterflies and make a “seed drop” to plant at home. All ages are welcome for this drop-in event that is hosted by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
The Village of Oak Park invites residents to safely dispose of sensitive documents and foam products with the No. 6 symbol at a free paper shredding and foam recycling event scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, Sat., April 19 at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. For more information about what is accepted at the event, please click here or contact the Public Works Department at 708.358.5700 or publicworks@oak-park.us.
Later in the month, the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival returns to Oak Park and other Chicagoland communities for its 14th season. The One Earth Film Festival officially begins on Earth Day, April 22. The Village of Oak Park will host a screening of the film “Every Little Thing” on Wed., April 23 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall. The heartwarming film depicts the rescue and rehabilitation of injured hummingbirds. Click here for ticket information.
Also a part of the One Earth Film Festival, a screening of “Cafeteria Man” will take place on Sat., April 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the Oak Park Public Library. The film takes a behind-the-scenes look at one man’s tenacious efforts to kickstart school lunch reform in Baltimore’s schools, an urban district serving 83,000 students. Click here for ticket information.
The City Nature Challenge 2025 is scheduled for April 25-28. This initiative, in partnership with the Chicago Wilderness Alliance, invites participants to join thousands of people from cities around the globe and make nature observations. Click here to learn more.
For more information about Earth Month events, please contact the Village of Oak Park’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience at 708.358.5700 or sustainability@oak-park.us.
About Oak Park -The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
