Subject
title
Proclamation Declaring the Month of April as Earth Month; April 22, 2025, as Earth Day; and March 22, 2025, 8:30-9:30 P.M. as Earth Hour in Rockville (CM Van Grack)
end
Department
PW - Environmental Management
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council read, approve, and present the proclamation to Chair William McClain and Commissioner Summer White of the Rockville Environment Commission.
Discussion
April 22, 2025 is the 55th anniversary of the first Earth Day, where events are held worldwide to appreciate and raise awareness about the Earth's natural environment. Founded in 1970, Earth Day was organized as an environmental teach-in on several college campuses and signaled the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day is now celebrated in more than 192 countries and is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.
To commemorate Earth Day, Rockville is celebrating throughout March, April and May with events, outdoor opportunities, and by sharing actions residents can take to reduce pollution and protect our water, air, forests, and wildlife. Events will be shared in Rockville Reports, online, and the Environment & Sustainability e-newsletter.
Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness for climate action and biodiversity protection by encouraging individuals, communities, households, and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday in March. Earth Hour started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then, 187 countries and territories have participated. In observance of Earth Hour, the City turned off all nonessential lights at the Gude Maintenance Facility on March 22.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council recognize Earth Month, Earth Day, and Earth Hour each year with a proclamation.
Next Steps
Rockville has a variety of events, volunteer opportunities and programs to help residents celebrate Earth Month, get involved and protect Rockville's environment this year and beyond.
Event highlights are listed below and posted at www.rockvillemd.gov/earthmonth <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/earthmonth>. Residents may also get reminders by signing up for the Environment & Sustainability e-newsletter by visiting www.rockvillemd.gov/newsletters <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/newsletters> and selecting “Environment and Sustainability.”
Green Permit Fee Waivers for Earth Month. To commemorate Earth Month, Rockville will waive permit fees for certain environmentally friendly home improvements, including solar photovoltaic panel installations, electric vehicle charging stations, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems, such as heat pumps. Applications must be submitted by April 27 at www.mygovernmentonline.org <http://www.mygovernmentonline.org> and must be accepted by city staff by 5 p.m. on May 1.
Saturday, April 5: Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanups. Stream cleanup sites include:
• Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road, 9:30 a.m.-noon.
• Maryvale Park, 812 First St., 10 a.m.-noon.
• Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Pkwy., 9-11 a.m.
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 <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream>.
Saturday, April 26: City Nature Challenge, 9-10 a.m. at Croydon Creek Nature Center. 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 #35319 at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/registration>.
Saturday, April 26-Sunday, April 27: Pull for the Planet. Various locations.
Help restore native habitat by volunteering to remove non-native invasive garlic mustard in Rockville parks. Pull sites include Croydon Creek Nature Center, RedGate Park, Dogwood Park and Fallsgrove Park. SSL hours available. Ages 8+. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required at www.rockvillemd.gov/weedwarriors. <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/weedwarriors>
Sunday, April 27: Science Day, noon-5 p.m. at Montgomery College, Rockville campus, 51 Mannakee St. Learn more at www.rockvillesciencecenter.org/rscd <http://www.rockvillesciencecenter.org/rscd>.
Saturday, May 3: Native Plant Sale, 9-11 a.m. at Elwood Smith Community Center, 601 Harrington Road. A variety of native Mid-Atlantic plants will be sold in various sizes. Arrive early as plants often sell out.
Saturday, May 17: Spring Festival and Kids to Parks Day, 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.
Ongoing Education and Volunteer Opportunities
Find More Spring Activities at Croydon Creek Nature Center. 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 <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/croydoncreek>.
Weed Warrior Workdays. 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.rockvilled.gov/weedwarriors <http://www.rockvilled.gov/weedwarriors>.
Adopt-A-Stream. Groups can adopt a Rockville stream and host cleanups to help keep litter out of local waterways. Apply at www.rockvillemd.gov/636/Adopt-a-Stream <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/636/Adopt-a-Stream>.
Solar Coop. If you are interested in rooftop solar, then this is the opportunity for you! For updates, sign up for the Environment & Sustainability E-Newsletter or visit www.rockvillemd.gov/solar <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/solar>.
Plog Rockville. 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 <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/environment>.