Join us for an Earth Day event! We have lots of programs on-site and online all week long, from composting and sustainable gardening and landscaping to tree conservation and family activities! All are free. Learn more about these and many more upcoming programs on our Programs Calendar.

 

Hands hold compost above a pot on left, a young woman speaks to other people in front of a chalkboard saying Compost on the right

Delving Deeper: Aerobic Community Composting (Online Lecture)

Najwa Womack, educator, community advocate, Founder of Sistained8
If you've ever wondered, "What can my community do about the world's changing zones and its impact on people and our planet?" then join Najwa for an exploration of aerobic community composting. You'll increase your knowledge of regenerative systems as she teaches how composting is a strong blueprint for "SiStain"-ing ourselves and our planet.  

Saturday, April 19, 2025
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern
Location: Online
FREE: Pre-registration required. Register at https://usbg.swoogo.com/Delving-Deeper-Aerobic-Community-Composting-Lecture_Apr25

 

a young woman smiles at the camera on left, blue skies over a tall fountain in a garden on the right

Sustainable Gardening in Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens (On-site Drop-in Tour)

Elizabeth Barton, U.S. Botanic Garden Education Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator 
Join us to learn how sustainable gardening and landscaping come to life in Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens! We’ll explore the history of the historic 1876 fountain created by the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty and how the current iteration of this garden space showcases sustainable principles you can incorporate into your own garden. 

Tuesday, April 22, 2025
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM  Eastern
Location: Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens
FREE: This is a drop-in program. No registration needed.

 

a woman wearing glasses smiles at the camera on left, large red flowers bloom amidst a green garden on the right

Creating a Sustainable Landscape Anywhere with Landscape for Life (Online Lecture)

Deryn Davidson, Sustainable Landscape State Specialist, Colorado State University Extension
Discover how Landscape for Life empowers home gardeners to create beautiful, sustainable landscapes based on nature’s principles. We’ll explore the core ecological principles the program addresses—healthy soil, water conservation, plant diversity, and wildlife support—and how it continues to evolve to meet today’s environmental challenges. Whether you're new to sustainable landscaping or looking to deepen your knowledge, this session will provide inspiration and practical guidance for creating a thriving, resilient landscape wherever you garden. 

Developed from the U.S. Botanic Garden and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), this program is now run in partnership with Colorado State University and provides guidance to help people design and maintain yards that work with nature rather than against it.  

Thursday, April 24, 2025
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Eastern
Location: Online
FREE: Pre-registration required. https://usbg.swoogo.com/Creating-A-Sustainable-Landscape-Lecture_Apr25

 

a young man trims a plant on left, tomatoes grow in a garden on the right

Breaking Down the Basics of Composting (On-site Drop-in Demonstration)

Wes Mahmud, Farm Educator, Common Good City Farm

Join Wes to learn about best practices for composting on a small scale at home or on a larger scale with community gardens. Come learn how to turn food waste into garden gold!

Please note: This is a drop-in experience and will be repeated several times over the course of the designated program time.

Friday, April 25, 2025
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM  Eastern
Location: Conservatory Garden Court
FREE: This is a drop-in program. No registration needed.

 

A woman stands against a tree with arms crossed (on left), a vertical look up into a tree crown in the middle, and a woman smiles at the camera on the right

Plant Science Conversations: Keeping Tabs on Trees (Online Discussion)

Dr. Murphy Westwood, Vice President of Science and Conservation at Morton Arboretum, and Dr. Susan Pell, Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden
Ever wonder how many tree species are native to the U.S.? And what can be done to protect them? Join Drs. Murphy Westwood and Susan Pell to learn how a team of scientists and public gardens recently created a new checklist of the 881 tree species native to the contiguous U.S. and conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis of threats and extinction risk at the species level. The conversation will highlight how this new, freely available resource can support prioritizing approaches to tree species conservation and forest restoration in a changing climate. 

Friday, April 25, 2025
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Eastern
Location: Online
FREE: Pre-registration required. Register at https://usbg.swoogo.com/PSC-Tabs-On-Trees_Apr25

 

on left, a young woman smiles at the camera; on right, a young boy looks through a light-measuring tool

Plants Make Their Own Food! Exploring Photosynthesis (On-site Drop-in Family Program)

Lilly Andersen, U.S. Botanic Garden Family Education Specialist
Celebrate Earth Day with Lilly and explore how plants make their own food using energy from the sun! We'll explore scientific instruments like CO2 sensors and refractometers. These tools will help us measure the changes that occur within a plant during the process of photosynthesis, and we'll discuss why plants are necessary for the health of our planet. 

Please note: This is a drop-in experience and will be repeated several times over the course of the designated program time.  

Saturday, April 26, 2025
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM  Eastern
Location: Conservatory Children's Garden
FREE: This is a drop-in program. No registration needed.