Earth Month

Our Power, Our Planet, Our Parks

This Earth Month, we’re celebrating parks and recreation as a climate hero! From protecting natural resources to providing environmentally sustainable solutions and supporting emergency preparedness response efforts, parks help safeguard our planet starting in our communities.

Actions you can take:

Read Celebrating Environmental Resilience in the April issue of Parks and Recreation Magazine to learn more about the many roles parks and recreation plays in protecting resources for the future.

Read the Article

Join the celebration by tagging NRPA in your social media posts and using the hashtag #NRPAEarthMonth.

Parks and Recreation as Land Stewards

Park and recreation agencies play a vital role in protecting and managing natural resources. Thriving natural spaces enhance community well-being, offering physical and mental health benefits while preserving biodiversity. By safeguarding these spaces, we ensure future generations can enjoy them and develop a lifelong connection to nature.

Actions you can take:

Listen to Guardians of Greenspaces to learn from park staff how to help your parks be more conservation minded. You could win a prize just for listening!

Climate-Ready Parks

Naturalizing part of the parks in Louisville, Kentucky, saves costs while cleaning groundwater heading to the Ohio River. Photo Credit: Subhajeet Ghose

Climate-ready parks provide safe, cost-effective and sustainable environmental solutions to our changing environment. Parks can improve air and water quality, enhance stormwater management, mitigate carbon and reduce heat island effects. Let’s use the power of nature to help communities thrive!

Actions you can take:

Apply for NRPA’s Sustainability in Practice Program by April 11 or learn about others who have participated in the program.

Apply Today

Download NRPA’s Environmentally Sustainable Parks Assessment Tool Review how sustainable your parks are and identify new opportunities!

Download Assessment Tool

Nature-Based Approaches to Emergency Preparedness

Park and recreation agencies are at the forefront of their communities’ emergency preparedness and response efforts. Not only do they support nature-based solutions that mitigate climate-related weather threats, but they also transform recreation centers into emergency shelters, mobilize resources and support cleanup efforts acting as a community leader in times of crisis.

Actions you can take: