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Honor the planet at these Tampa Bay area Earth Day events

Plant a tree, pick up garbage or grow a fruitful herb garden.
 
Florida seen from the Space Shuttle. [NASA]
Florida seen from the Space Shuttle. [NASA] [ NASA | NASA ]
Published April 15, 2021|Updated April 15, 2021

Earth Day is April 22, but there are events around Tampa Bay before and after in support of the environment.

Earth Week at Animal Kingdom: From April 18-24, the theme park will host limited-time experiences, including unique Disney character appearances and learning opportunities like nature-themed challenges. Earth Week food and drink specials include a Honey Bee Cupcake and a frozen Coke topped with strawberry cotton candy. Also, 40 tons of sand have been turned into a detailed sculpture celebrating National Geographic’s Secrets of the Whales, an original series streaming on Disney+ on Earth Day. Included with admission. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista. 407-938-3000.

Florida artisans, including Patrick Harsch and Dean Arscott of Clearwater's Sandtastic, transformed 40 tons of sand into a detailed sculpture celebrating National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Whales,” an original series streaming on Disney+ on Earth Day. The intricate masterpiece is located on the Discovery Island Stage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom until April 30.
Florida artisans, including Patrick Harsch and Dean Arscott of Clearwater's Sandtastic, transformed 40 tons of sand into a detailed sculpture celebrating National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Whales,” an original series streaming on Disney+ on Earth Day. The intricate masterpiece is located on the Discovery Island Stage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom until April 30. [ Todd Anderson, photographer ]

Family Boredom Busters: Bruton Memorial Library will offer take-home activity kits for families to enjoy together. The week’s theme is “Earth Day” and the kit includes puzzles, literacy activities and crafts. Free, while supplies last. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 19-23. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W McLendon St., Plant City. 813-757-9215.

Celebrate at Daisy Douglas Park: Appreciate the planet as you learn and play games. Best for ages 5 to 17. Free. 3:30-5:30 p.m. April 21. 601 Ninth Ave. N, Safety Harbor. 727-724-1545.

Earth Day Eve Concert: National Geographic presents a virtual concert featuring music by Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma, Ziggy Marley, Angelique Kidjo and more. Find it on the National Geographic YouTube channel or at natgeo.com. Free. 8:30 p.m. April 21.

Earth Day Sand Sculpting at the Don CeSar: Watch the action as sand sculptors use 80 tons of sand to create a 25th Earth Day masterpiece on the beach near the hotel. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 22-23. Don CeSar Hotel, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-360-1881.

Beach cleanup: Grab a bag and join Don CeSar staff to clean up the beach. All volunteers get free lunch, including a 3 Daughters brew or seltzer. Registration required. Go to Don CeSar Earth Day Celebration on Eventbrite to register. Free. 11 a.m. April 22. Don CeSar Hotel, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-360-1881.

Sweet the Moon: The Gallery at Creative Pinellas presents a free performance of selections from the plays of Shakespeare portraying the relationships between humans and nature. Masks are required and seating is socially distanced. Go to eventbrite for tickets (required). 7 p.m. April 23, 5 p.m. April 24-25. 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo.

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Tree and Plant Sale: The city of Pinellas Park has donated a selection of bare root tree seedlings, small bushes and flowering plants for residents to choose from at $3 each. Proceeds benefit the agriculture class at Nina Harris School. $3 each plant or tree. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. April 24. England Brothers Bandshell Park, 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. 727-369-5746.

Earth Day Shred: Bring your private documents to be safely shredded at this Earth Day celebration with activities, giveaways and a stop by the Buddy Brew coffee truck. For every pound of paper shredded, $1 will be donated to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to purchase fruit trees for children in the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay to plant. Free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 24. Harwood Financial Group, 4601 W North A St., Tampa. 813-565-8953.

 Find out how flamingos eat without teeth on the Sunken Gardens Earth Day Scavenger Hunt.
Find out how flamingos eat without teeth on the Sunken Gardens Earth Day Scavenger Hunt. [ SCOTT KEELER | TAMPA BAY TIMES ]

Scavenger Hunt at Sunken Gardens: How can flamingos eat without any teeth and what does dancing have to do with it? Find out by exploring the winding paths, exotic birds, turtles, butterflies and flowers on an all-ages, self-guided scavenger hunt. Prizes include Florida wildflower seeds or seedlings to celebrate Earth Day. No preregistration required. Included with admission. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 24 and 25. Sunken Gardens, 1825 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-551-3102.

Blueberry U-Pick: Grab a bucket and pick as many blueberries as you want. You’ll need to bring your own container to take the berries home. Bring the kids to learn about growing and harvesting blueberries. $7 per pound. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 24. Wish Farms, 1301 S Frontage Road, Plant City. 813-752-5111.

Shuffle’s 420 Earth Celebration: Sip on a Dr. Dank as you celebrate Mother Earth with music by i-Ruption, the Uncle J’s Magic Mushroom Art Show and tie-dye art. Free. Noon-midnight April 24. Shuffle, 2612 N Tampa St., Tampa.