Alachua County released a list of multiple events taking place throughout April to celebrate Earth Day 2026 on Tuesday.
Multiple organizations that have events planned include Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, the University of Florida and Santa Fe College starting on Saturday, April 11.
This year’s theme for Earth Day is “Our Power, Our Planet.”
Alachua County Events
Third Annual Santa Fe Springs Celebration – Saturday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Poe Springs Park (28800 NW 182nd Ave., High Springs). This free event, presented by the Florida Springs Council and Alachua County, features live music, local food vendors and educational exhibits focused on protecting local water resources.
Second Annual Saving My Alachua Environmental Art Exhibition – Friday, April 17, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 18, from 9 to 3 p.m. at the Laniakea Montessori School (636 NE 1st St., Gainesville). More than 500 K-12 students submitted artwork for the 2026 Saving My Alachua environmental art contest. The winning entries are on display at the Alachua County Administration Building through the end of the year. But for the second year in a row, the public will be able to view all of the entries that didn’t get selected for the calendar at this special event sponsored by the Laniakea Montessori School. Parking will be available at the nearby Thomas Center (302 NE 6th Ave.).
Community Reuse & Recycle Day – Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Santa Fe College Northwest Campus in Parking Lot 10 at the Teaching Zoo entrance. The Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery Department invites residents to participate in Community Reuse & Recycle Day. Residents are encouraged to do some spring cleaning and donate items they no longer need. Non-profit organizations will be on-site to receive the following items: wearable clothing, non-perishable food, and school/office/art supplies. Participants can also dispose of household hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals, and old electronics. Donors will receive a discount voucher for admission to the Santa Fe Zoo (while supplies last).
For more information, contact Alanna Carinio at 352-548-1278 or acarinio@alachuacounty.us.
2026 City Natural Challenge Alachua County – Friday through Monday, April 24 to 27. Join Alachua County, Gainesville and hundreds of other cities around the world for this friendly competition to see who can make the most observations of plants and animals in their community. Download the free iNaturalist app today and help Alachua County capture the most photos of wildlife in our area during the challenge dates.
Earth Day Tree Planting Event – Saturday, April 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Alachua County Fire Rescue Headquarters (1125 NE 8th Ave., Gainesville). Volunteers will learn proper tree-planting techniques. Trees and tools will be provided. They will plant approximately 16 trees. Please wear sturdy close-toed shoes and work clothes and bring plenty of water and sun protection. Click here to learn more and register.
Tuscawilla Headwaters Preserve Bioblitz – Sunday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will help the Alachua County Forever program document plant, animal, and fungi species on one of the County’s newest preserves. Participants will receive a brief iNaturalist tutorial and explore the preserve with Alachua County Environmental Specialists. Volunteers should meet at 9 a.m. at the Barr Hammock Preserve South Trailhead (300 SE 175th Ave., Micanopy) and carpool to Tuscawilla Headwaters Preserve. The terrain is hilly and uneven. Please bring drinking water and wear shoes and clothing comfortable for off-trail hiking. There are no restrooms on site. Space is limited to 40 participants.
Those wanting to participate should register on the Alachua County volunteer portal.
Turkey Creek Preserve Guided Hike – Monday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Turkey Creek Preserve (6300 NW 93rd Ave., Gainesville). Join an Alachua County Environmental Specialist at Turkey Creek Preserve for a two-mile guided hike and a brief iNaturalist tutorial. Meet at the kiosk in the parking lot. The terrain is slightly hilly with rocky trails. Please wear appropriate walking shoes and bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. There are no restrooms on site. No registration required.
For more information, contact Anastasia Utley at 352-756-6914 or autley@alachuacounty.us.
Routes to Roots carbon offset project – This program enables travelers to offset the environmental impact of their journeys. A donation of $75 covers the purchase and planting of one tree. Gifts help the county grow the planned arboretum at West End Park.
For more information, contact Jessica Hurov at 352-374-5260.
Alachua County Library District Events
Seed Planting – Wednesday, April 22, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Tower Road Branch Library (3020 SW 75th St., Gainesville) in the outdoor program area. Join us at the library for a flower seed planting activity to celebrate Earth Day. For children ages 6-11.
ArtSpace: Screen Printing – on Wednesday, April 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Waldo Branch Library (15150 NE US Hwy 301, Waldo). Celebrate Earth Day in style by screen printing a tote bag that’s both creative and eco-friendly. Arts and crafts project for crafters of all ages (6 and up).
City of Gainesville Events
Earth Day Art Contest – The city of Gainesville invites students to participate in an Earth Day poster contest. Students in first through fifth grade are encouraged to create a poster depicting what Earth Day means to them. The deadline to submit is April 10. Click here to view the entry form.
Earth Day Celebration & Tree Giveaway – Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center (1028 NE 14th St.). In addition to the tree giveaway, awards will be presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses that have significantly contributed to local environmental efforts. The deadline to nominate local champions is April 10. Click here for the nomination form.
Santa Fe College Events
Party for the Planet – Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo (3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville). Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. This family-friendly event will allow visitors to explore the zoo and participate in games, crafts, training demonstrations, keeper talks, animal encounters, and more. Visitors learn to build like a beach mouse, save a sea turtle, make a backyard habitat, and spring into action to save species. Explore the kids’ sensory play space, join a special presentation, listen to live music, or grab some grub from a food truck.
University of Florida Events
Annual UF Health Campus Earth Day 2026 – Monday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium (1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville). Employees, patients and visitors are invited to learn more about all the sustainability efforts and successes happening within UF Health. They can visit the booths to learn how to incorporate sustainable practices at work and at home. Plus, there will be opportunities to learn about wellness and receive giveaways.
Earth Day Tot Trot – Tuesday, April 21, 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the UF Natural Area Teaching Lab (NATL) located on the corner of Natural Area Drive. This program promotes child-focused sensory experiences, investigation and exploration with a focus on science. It is recommended for children ages 2-5 years old.
For more information, contact Tina Choe at 352-273-2079.
Miscellaneous Events
Santa Fe River Preserve Bioblitz – Friday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Santa Fe River Preserve (27025 North S.R. 121, Alachua). It is hosted by Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT). Join ACT for a Bioblitz and help catalog the species on the preserve. This event is part of the 2026 City Nature Challenge for Alachua County. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring a phone to use the iNaturalist app to aid in species identification.
For more information and to RSVP, contact ACT by email at info@alachuaconservationtrust.org.
12th Annual Tree Fest – Saturday, April 25, noon to 11 p.m. at Swamp Head Brewery (3650 SW 42nd Ave., Gainesville). This is a free event. Tree Fest celebrates the environment by raising money to plant trees with the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) in an event that features food trucks, family-friendly activities until 5 p.m., live music, and, of course, Swamp Head beer. Four trees will be planted for every beer purchased during Tree Fest, 20 trees for every Tree Fest T-Shirt bought. The trees are one-year-old longleaf pines that will be planted by the ACT at the Little Orange Creek Preserve in Hawthorne.
The Great American Cleanup & Tire Roundup – Saturday, April 25, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Albert Ray Massey (Westside) Park (1001 NW 34th St., Gainesville). Join Keep Alachua County Beautiful (KACB) for their annual cleanup event alongside a community Tire Roundup as residents and volunteers come together to remove litter and beautify areas throughout Gainesville. All cleanup assignments, maps, and materials will be provided by KACB on the day of the event. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. An appreciation lunch for the volunteers will be held from 11 a.m. to noon.
For more information on these events, contact Erika Capin with the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department at 352-264-6808.