Earth Day 2023 Slide Show - ICYMI

On a rainy Saturday, the Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission hosted its annual Earth Day celebration on May 20 this year. Village residents who attended were treated to a number of activities and programs throughout the day.  Because of the rain, some of the outdoor activities like an archery clinic, Mini-Eco Cruises from Hackensack Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan and the Youth Angler Program and Fishing Derby hosted by the Hudson River Fisherman’s Association's had to be canceled.

However, that did not deter participants who attended, as most of the activities were able to shift indoors. All-day music was provided by Mark Rust, There was face painting, local artisans, environmental exhibits, demonstrations and this year's newest addition an electric vehicle from Hackensack of Toyota was on display.

Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School student Gianna Terrarosa staffed a table encouraging residents to plant native plants and and to participate in our town's Monarch Butterfly Pledge. Gianna's 'Just One Plant' initiative evolved from her Girl Scout Gold Award project from last year.

Mayor John Anlian, said, “We were so excited about this year’s Earth Day celebration that featured a number of fun and educational activities for the residents of Ridgefield Park and their families. Despite the weather, it was a great day for us to celebrate all the natural resources the Village has to offer.”

“Each year our goal is to raise awareness about environmental issues that are affecting our community and encourage all residents to enjoy and take advantage of the environmental treasures that are all available here in Ridgefield Park,” said Anlian. “On Saturday  June 3 we will celebrate the grand opening of our newest resource - the Ridgefield Park Nature Preserve.  We sincerely hope that residents will enjoy the new trail that has been created by the Environmental Commission under the direction of Chairman Stephen Quinn."

The following slide show is a small capsule of the entire day that also included shows from Mad Science – Earth Day Every Day,–Tenafly Nature Center-Remarkable Raptor Show, and The Wild Life-Bats-past, present and future with NJ’s Bat-Man, Joe D’Angeli. In case you missed it, be sure to join us next May for the 2024 Ridgefield Park Earth Day celebration.