Earth Month in Rockville

Earth Hour encourages people to turn off all nonessential lights in their homes and businesses for one hour, from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and do something positive for the planet. Learn more and find ways to participate in Earth Hour every day at www.earthhour.org.

Residents interested in installing rooftop solar are invited to join Capital Area Solar Switch for education and discounts. For information and updates, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/solar. 

City staff will greet volunteers. Gloves and bags will be provided. Student Service Learning hours are available. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited. Registration required at www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream. Stream cleanup sites include:

• April 6: Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road, 9:30 a.m.-noon; and Maryvale Park, 812 First St., 10 a.m.-noon.
• April 7: Northeast Park, Gude Drive and Redgate Farms Court, 10 a.m.-noon.

9:30-11 a.m. at the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway. Student Service Learning hours are available. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Registration required at www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream.

Silver Spring. This year’s summit will focus on preparing the commercial building community for compliance with energy benchmarking, building energy performance standards and emerging building codes. The summit will provide education sessions, hands-on questions and answers and support, an “innovation alley” showcasing products and services, and a networking reception. Learn more at www.mcenergysummit.org.

7:30-8:30 p.m. at Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road. Gather around the campfire with friends for stories, snacks and more. An adult must accompany children and all participants must register. Ages 5 and older. Register for course #31322 at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.

Noon-5 p.m. at Montgomery College, Rockville campus, 51 Mannakee St. Explore rockets, robots, chemistry, reptiles and more at this annual Rockville tradition!

This event has been canceled, but there are other opportunities to participate in Weed Warrior events at www.rockvillemd.gov/weedwarriors. 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Dawson Farm Park, 312 Ritchie Parkway. Join a Rockville Weed Warrior leader for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday. SSL hours available. Space is limited and registration is required. Register and find more workdays at www.rockvillemd.gov/weedwarriors.

9-10 a.m. at Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road. An annual worldwide event that encourages people in cities to get outside and observe nature in their community. Download the iNaturalist app from your app store before attending the event. Naturalists will teach you how to use the app and lead an excursion in the forest preserve to make observations of wildlife big and small. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 6 and older. Register for course #31323 at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.

 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Blackrock Center for the Arts, Germantown. People of all ages come celebrate, learn and start or continue their journey to improving our community and the environment. Learn more at montgomerycountygreenfest.org.

9-11 a.m. at Elwood Smith Community Center, 601 Harrington Road, Rockville, MD 20852.

1:30-3:30 p.m. at Croydon Creek Nature Center. Help remove invasive plant species and improve the Hayes Forest Preserve. SSL hours available. Register for course # 31325 at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road. Bring the whole family to celebrate Kids to Parks Day with Croydon Creek! Enjoy nature games and crafts, woodland hikes, live animal meet and greets, sustainability exhibits, local vendors, and more.

Looking for more to do outside? Croydon Creek Nature Center offers hikes, campfires, nature outings, youth camps and more throughout the year. Learn more and register at www.rockvillemd.gov/croydoncreek.

Groups can adopt a Rockville stream and host cleanups to help keep litter out of local waterways. Apply at www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream.

If you are interested in rooftop solar, or are looking to install an electric vehicle charger, then this is the opportunity for you. For updates, sign up for the “Environment and Sustainability” email newsletter (see below) or visit www.rockvillemd.gov/solar.

Join Rockville Weed Warrior Leaders for non-native, invasive plant removal workdays. SSL hours available. Space is limited. Find upcoming events and register at www.rockvillemd.gov/weedwarriors.

Pledge to clean up litter while you walk, jog or run through Rockville and receive a free plogging bag while supplies last. For more details and to take the pledge, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/environment.