Earth Day is right around the corner, and every year on April 22, more than 1 billion people take part in Earth Day activities. All around the world, communities, governments, organizations and individuals take action to make our planet a better place. Celebrate this year by doing something to benefit our earth like picking up garbage in a local park or taking part in an organized event in your area. Below are some ways to observe Earth Day this year if you live in the Philadelphia area.

5K Run for Clean Air

• When: Saturday, April 20, 2013, starting at 9 a.m.
• Where: Start and finish at Martin Luther King Drive next to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Earth Day celebration will take place at the base of the museum stairs.
• Register for the 32nd annual 5k Run for Clean Air, 3k Walk and Kid’s Fun Run (free registration for ages 60 and over). Preregistration is required, and you must register online by Monday, April 15.
• For more information, visit 5krunforcleanair.org.

Blick Art’s Earth Day Kids Event

• When: Sunday, April 21, 2013 from noon to 5 p.m.
• Where: Blick Art Materials, 1330 Chestnut St.
• There will be face painting, recycled bookmark making and mask making. You can even decorate your very own eco-friendly canvas tote. Be part of the creation of a “found art” Earth Day mural to be displayed in the store by bringing in any recyclable items you may have, such as egg cartons and water bottles. You can also enter for your chance to win an earth-friendly gift pack.
• For more information about the event, visit dickblick.com/stores/pennsylvania/philadelphia/.

Villanova University Earth Day Celebration

• When: Monday, April 22, 2013, starting at 8:30 a.m.
• Where: Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA
• The following events are free and open to Villanova students, staff, faculty, alumni and the general public:
  • Panel discussion on hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale
  • Sustainability fair
  • Farmer’s market
  • Earth Day keynote address by Katherine Gajewski, Director of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia
• For more information, visit villanova.edu.

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. An estimated 20 million Americans from all walks of life gathered on that day to demand action on the environment from themselves and their elected officials. For more on the origins of Earth Day, read “Earth Day: How It All Began.”