As Earth Day approaches, Hoosier environmentalists are planning a slew of events and activities for people who want to get outside, help protect nature in their communities or just learn more about the environment.
In the last year as businesses closed their doors, travel halted and people sheltered in place from the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor spaces and natural resources became all that much more essential for recreation and peace of mind.
In fact, the state's Department of Natural Resources estimates there was a 21% increase in visits to state parks in 2020 compared to 2019 — that's a boost of about 2.9 million more visitors.
Last year's Earth Day celebrations, which marked the 50th anniversary of the holiday, were put on hold or converted to online events to maintain social distancing, and many this year are under the same constraints.
But even so, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the planet while staying safe. Here are 15 events and activities to participate in this Earth Day.
