Grand Canyon Commemorates Earth Day Anniversary

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Grand Canyon National Park is holding a special public celebration on April 22, during National Park Week, to mark the 46th anniversary of Earth Day. The celebration will feature games, a sculpture made of recycled materials, information about local and national environmental actions, and removal of non-native, exotic plants. These activities, which are free for the public, are all to be held at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center IMAX plaza, near Mather Point, from 10 AM to 2 PM.

The recycled sculpture was created by students at Grand Canyon School and members of Grand Canyon National Park’s Green Team. All the waste materials used to make the sculpture were collected in and around Grand Canyon Village.

The exotic plant removal will be carried out by members of Grand Canyon’s Vegetation Program as well as volunteers. Park visitors can participate by signing a volunteer agreement and health forms at the visitor center on the day of the event. The plant-removal activity is expected to take about one hour.

In addition to the park activities for the public, a new junior ranger book commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) will be available during National Park Week. Junior rangers can pick up the activity book at any NPS visitor center. If visitors want to learn more about the NHPA, they can attend ranger-led history programs, which are presented every day at 10 AM at the Verkamp Visitor Center.

Grand Canyon National Park’s Earth Day celebration is the product of collaborative efforts involving numerous organizations, including the National Park Service, Coconino National Forest, Xanterra South Rim, Grand Canyon Railway, Delaware North Companies, Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, Clean Cities Coalition, Canyon Coolers, and the Grand Canyon Association.

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Although the Earth Day events are free for the public, there are fees for camping, tours, concessions, and reservations. If Earth Day visitors stay in the park beyond April 24, the regular entrance fee will become applicable.