Earth Month 2025

Illustration of hands holding the Earth.

Every year the City of Markham celebrates Earth Month in April. This celebration demonstrates the city’s commitment and support for conservation and protection of our environment, and sustainability for our community and the planet.

Celebrate Earth Month with the City of Markham!

As a leader of sustainability, the City of Markham through the Greenprint Community Sustainability Plan is committed to providing cultural vibrance, social wellbeing and economic vitality for the community.

This Earth Month, Markham and its partners will be hosting a wide range of events for residents and community members to join in on the fun! These events are open for all ages and provide an interactive and educational perspective on Markham’s environmental initiatives.

Learn about what we have planned!

Here is the list of events that will be offered as we celebrate Earth Month!

Earth Month Events

Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) Virtual Workshop

If you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home through upgrades, then we have the right event for you! Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) is a free virtual workshop that will provide you with insights on how to save money, improve home comfort and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Learn about the current rebates that may apply to your project from a Certified Energy Manager. Learn more about home energy retrofits and register to save your spot

Date	Time	Location
Tuesday, April 15, 2025	6:30 - 8:30 PM	Virtual Event Register to attend

Celebrate Earth Day - Compost Giveaway 2025

Starting Tuesday, April 22, Markham residents can register online to pick up two free bags of compost. While supplies last.

Registration space is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Pickup events are held rain or shine.

For online registration details, dates and locations, visit Yard Material

Curbside Giveaway Day (rain or shine)

Markham residents are invited to place their unwanted, gently used items at the curb for others to browse and take for their own use, free of charge. Clearly mark them as “FREE”.

Anything that does not find a new home must be taken back in by 7PM on the same day, as there will be no special municipal collection.

For more details visit Curbside Giveaway Day

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 26, 2025	7 AM to 7 PM	Citywide

Markham's Youth Science Exhibition

Come check out Markham’s young science enthusiasts at Milliken Mills Library. This exhibition will feature projects from students passionate about the environment, research, design and engineering to tackle local issues around climate change and the natural environment.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 26, 2025	10 AM to 2 PM	Milliken Mills Library 7600 Kennedy Road Markham, Ontario, L3R 9S5

Economic Development

If you are a local entrepreneur, startup or an enterprise looking for the latest sustainability trends, expert insights, and networking opportunities, then you have come to the right place.

This Earth Month we are offering a variety of virtual events to help you develop business plans with a sustainability lens, learn about Competition Bureau of Canada and prepare your business for international trade. Visit our website to learn more about these events and to register for your favorite one

Earth Day Tour: A Focus on Sustainability in Heritage!

Discover how the past can inspire a greener future with Markham Museum. Explore historic sustainability practices, from beekeeping to food preservation, and engage in fun, interactive activities. Don't miss this exclusive event!

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 26, 2025	12 PM to 3 PM	Markham Museum 9350, Markham Road, Markham, Ontario, L3P 3J3
Sunday, April 27, 2025	12 PM to 3 PM	Markham Museum

Karen Kar Yen Law: Better Bitter art exhibition

This Earth Month, visit Varley Art Gallery to experience sustainable art by Markham-based artist Karen Kar Yen Law. Her art is greatly shaped by her Chinese heritage and her practice integrates the idea of recycling by using and re-using materials to their full extent! She works primarily with monoprints, blending the structured layers of printmaking with the fluid expressiveness of painting to explore a range of ideas. Visit the website to learn more about this exhibition

Date	Time	Location
Wednesday, January 25 to Sunday, May 4, 2025	12 PM to 4 PM Tuesday to Friday 10 AM to 5 PM Weekends	Varley Art Gallery 216, Main Street, Unionville, Ontario, L3R 2H1

Upcycling for Earth Month: Magazine and Book Drop-off at the Varley Art Gallery

Celebrate Earth Month with the Varley Art Gallery. Donate your gently used magazines, and books to help reduce waste, and fuel creative art projects. Recycle, repurpose, and help kids create.

All donors can enter into a raffle to win a membership to the Varley Art Gallery. This membership includes exclusive benefits like free admission to more than 70 galleries, discounts on Varley art classes and camps, and more. Learn more about the donation guidelines

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 5 to Sunday, May 4, 2025	12 PM to 4 PM from Tuesday to Friday 10 AM to 5 PM on weekends	Varley Art Gallery 216, Main Street, Unionville, Ontario, L3R 2H1

Park Cleanups

Annswell Park Clean-up

Come forward and join us in preparing Annswell Park for spring with a clean-up. This clean-up is organized by the Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE) Community Engagement team as a part of Metrolinx Earth Day initiatives.

Participants will be provided with latex gloves and garbage bags. Please dress appropriately and do not forget to bring your own water bottle.

Date

Time

Location

Thursday, April 24, 2025

1 to 3 PM

Annswell Park
190Dudley Avenue,
Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 2E9

Meeting point: Park entrance, off Dudley Avenue

Community, faith, adopt-a-park, ratepayers groups and others register to clean local parks across Markham.

Dates, time and locations for more park cleanups will be shared soon.

Mulch Giveaways

Residents can pick up free wood chip mulch - self service.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, May 3, 2025	8 AM to 4 PM	8100 Warden, (parking lot) Markham, Ontario, L6G 1B4
Sunday, May 4, 2025	8 AM to 4 PM	8100 Warden, (parking lot) Markham, Ontario, L6G 1B4

Free Live and Virtual Events

Seed Library Sessions: Planting for Pollinators: Creating Spaces for Pollinators with Native Plants

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Visit the website to register
About: Join us at Thornhill Village library to explore how native plants like milkweed support essential insects such as butterflies, bees, and beetles. Learn about the unique relationships between plants and insects, and how habitat loss threatens these connections. Discover how you can select native plants for your garden to protect these vital species and their ecosystems.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, March 22, 2025	11 AM to 12 PM	Thornhill Village Branch 10 Colborne Street Thornhill, Markham, L3T 1Z6

Seed Library Sessions: Seed Pick-Up

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Drop in event, no registration necessary
About: Drop-in and pick up a packet of seeds for your spring garden!

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, March 22, 2025	12 to 1 PM	Thornhill Village Branch 10 Colborne Street Markham, Ontario, L3T 1Z6

Sewing 101: Reusable Pads

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Please visit the website to register
About: Learn a new skill and help tackle period poverty! Reusable menstrual pads are a sustainable solution to the high cost of disposable products and are the perfect project for those who are new to sewing. This workshop will familiarize participants with sewing machines, teach them basic techniques, and guide them as they make a reusable menstrual pad from scratch in support of Help A Girl Out. All tools and materials will be provided. This program is designed for those ages 13 and up.

Date	Time	Duration
Tuesday, April 1, 2025	5:30 to 7:30 PM	Thornhill Village Branch 10 Colborne Street Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 1Z6

Rouge National Urban Parks Guided Walks

Presented by: Parks Canada
Location: Rouge National Urban Park
Register: Drop in event, no registration necessary
About: Discover Rouge National Urban Parks natural, cultural and agricultural stories with friendly and knowledgeable Parks Canada volunteer leaders and staff. Visit the webpage to learn about the theme, schedule and meeting point of each guided walk.

Date	Start Time	Duration	Trek / Trail Location
Saturday, April 5, 2025	1 PM	1.5 hours	Tallgrass Trek
Sunday, April 6, 2025	10 AM	2 hours	Central Trail
Wednesday, April 9, 2025	6:30 PM	1.5 hours	Reesor Way / Tanglewood Trail
Saturday, April 12, 2025	10 AM	2 hours	Harvest Trail
Sunday, April 13, 2025	1 PM	2 hours	Woodland Trail
Saturday, April 19, 2025	1 PM	2 hours	Reesor Way / Tanglewood Trail
Sunday, April 20, 2025	10 AM	2 hours	Mast Trail
Saturday, April 26, 2025	10 AM	2 hours	Monarch Trail
Sunday, April 27, 2025	1 PM	2 hours	Northeast Trail

The Marker House Craft Corner

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Drop in event, no registration necessary
About: Come and check out the Marker House at the Milliken Mills branch on Saturdays in April! Created by SecondWave, a youth-led sustainability initiative based out of Markham, the Marker House is a self-guided crafting corner for children and families to explore sustainability through creative projects.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 5, 2025	All day	Milliken Mills Branch 7600 Kennedy Road Markham, Ontario, L3R 9S5
Saturday, April 12, 2025	All day	Milliken Mills Branch
Saturday, April 19, 2025	All day	Milliken Mills Branch
Saturday, April 26, 2025	All day	Milliken Mills Branch

Seed Library Sessions: The Art of Container Gardening with Edibles

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Please visit the website to register
About: Join the Lake Simcoe South Master Gardeners to learn how to transform small spaces into thriving edible gardens! This presentation is perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike who want to explore the versatility of container gardening. Whether you have a balcony, patio, or just a sunny windowsill, you’ll discover how to grow delicious, nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs in containers. We’ll cover everything from selecting the right plants to ensuring they thrive in limited spaces. Aesthetic design tips for integrating edibles into decorative spaces as well as the basics of soil and pest management will also be discussed.

Date	Time	Location
Thursday, April 10, 2025	6:30 to 7:30 PM	Thornhill Village Branch 10 Colborne Street Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 1Z6

Birds and Beyond: Spring Nature Walk with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Please visit the website to register
About: Listen to the sounds of spring! Join the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) for an interactive walk starting at the Unionville Library to learn all about how birds communicate and how to identify them! Enjoy interesting bird songs and learn some tips to remember them! We will be demonstrating how to use binoculars, field guides and great birding apps to prepare you for your next birding adventure! This program is for ages 6 and above.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 12, 2025	10 to 11 AM	Unionville Branch 15 Library Lane Unionville, Ontario, L3R 5C4

Children's Environmental Storytelling King Competition 2025

Presented by: Little Elephant Media
About: This competition is an opportunity for the children to creatively express their thoughts on environment and sustainability and appreciate the significance of protecting the planet. The competition will be held in English and Chinese languages. Two best performing storytellers from both languages will be given the awards of Chinese Storytelling King and English Storytelling King whereas other participants will be honored as Earth Protectors.
Age: 6 to 15 years old children from diverse backgrounds
Story Theme: Spreading Environmental Awareness Through Storytelling

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 26, 2025	TBC	Cornell Branch 3201 Bur Oak Avenue Markham, Ontario, L6B 0T2

Repair Café

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Registration begins March 17, 2025. Please visit the website to register
About: Repair Cafés are a chance to bring broken items back to life. Have you been holding on to an item that just needs a quick fix? It could be a button to be sewn, a vacuum needing a new cord, or a bicycle needing wheel alignment. Then Repair Café may be the place for you. Visit the event webpage to learn about qualifying repairable items and house rules.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, April 26, 2025	10 AM to 2 PM	Milliken Mills Library 7600 Kennedy Road Markham, Ontario, L3R 9S5

Seed Library Sessions: Planning Your Vegetable Garden

Presented by: Markham Public Library
Register: Please visit the website to register
About: Join the Lake Simcoe South Master Gardeners for this presentation that describes planning your vegetable garden, including requirements for site selection and gardening methods. There will be a review of different vegetable growing requirements and how to select the right vegetables for your specific growing conditions.

Date	Time	Location
Wednesday, April 30, 2025	7 to 8 PM	Cornell Branch 3201 Bur Oak Avenue Markham, Ontario, L6B 0T2

York Region Native Plant Sale

Presented by: York Region
About: More information coming soon!

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, May 24, 2025	9 AM to 2 PM	Clatworthy Arena (parking) 2400 John Street Thornhill, Ontario L3T 6R8

LEAF Backyard Tree Planting (Subsidized)

Presented by: LEAF
About: All Markham homeowners are eligible to have a subsidized tree planted in their backyards. To learn more about LEAF's tree planting programs in Markham, please visit their website. More information about the event will be coming soon.

10,000 Trees for the Rouge – Tree Planting

Presented by: 10,000 Trees
About: 10,000 Trees is offering two sessions at the tree planting event.
Register: Please visit the website to register

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, May 10, 2025	Session 1: 9 to 11 AM Session 2: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM	Austin Drive Park Austin Drive Markham, ON L3R 6M6

How You Can Participate and Take Action?

There are many ways to protect our planet! Here are some topics and ideas to get you started. Remember, you don’t have to do it all, but every little bit you do can make a difference! Find what interests you, opportunities to learn, and take action today.

Power Up and Save Energy!

Improve the energy efficiency of your home through home retrofits to save money, improve home comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Consider the following retrofit options: air or ground heat pumps, air sealing (building envelope, ducts and windows, doors), Energy Star water heater replacement, smart thermostats with zone control, high efficiency furnace (Energy Star), Solar PV options with battery storage
Attend a Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) Workshop to learn about upgrading the home to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency. Check the Home Energy Retrofits page to register for the next workshop

Reduce your energy consumption by unplugging any unused electronics or switching power bars to eliminate phantom power, turning off lights when you leave the room, and taking shorter showers

Good Food for a Good Life

Reduce your carbon food-print and support local businesses by purchasing locally produced ingredients which you can find through the York Farm Fresh Multilingual App
Try out a plant-based meal — check out the York Region Food Network for a list of recipes
Learn tips on how to reduce food waste at Love Food Hate Waste and the Good Food Challenge

Why Waste? Recycle Right, Recycle More!

Not sure how to sort your recycling, organics and garbage, check out using the What Goes Where search tool
Don’t miss the truck! Access your recycling and garbage collection schedule online or on the Access Markham mobile app
Protect your pipes by disposing of fats, oils and grease (also known as F.O.G.) in the green bin, and never down the drain
Drop off your unwanted textiles to one of Markham’s textile donation bins so they can be recycled into new products

Nearby Nature

Plant a tree through the LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program , including a contactless delivery option and discounts
Contact the City before you prune or cut down trees to abide by Markham’s Tree Preservation By-law which protects the urban forest
Experience Forest Therapy through Shinrin Yoku, the Japanese practice known as Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy by visiting a self-guided Shinrin Yoku trail in the City of Markham
Learn how to use water efficiently by reading the Water Efficiency: At-Home Guide
Explore the world of water online through the Water Education Program
Visit a park or trail in your neighbourhood
Explore walking and cycling in Markham
Connect with UnearthD and work alongside the collective gardeners at the Kirkham Community Gardens. Learn about environmentally friendly gardening practices and plan out ways to transform the garden into a regenerative space.

Keep on Learning!

Calculate your carbon footprint, foodprint, and plastic consumption to identify ways you can reduce your impact
Visit Markham Public Library for Earth Month events, reading lists, and blogs to learn more!

We encourage you to learn about climate change and the ways that you can take action to help protect the planet. Celebrate Earth Month with us and take a stand to live a more sustainable lifestyle all year long.

Want to connect with us? Send us an e-mail