The goal of Earth Month Bainbridge Island is to bring to the fore these April (or close enough) events in 2026 in the hope of inspiring everyone to appreciate and protect our environment throughout the entire year. Keep checking back as we add more events.

Here are two ways to win an Eagle Harbor Books gift card!

1) Play Earth Month Bingo this April. Send a photo of your bingo (five in a row or four corners),
and you’ll be entered in a drawing for the gift card. Each bingo gets you an entry.
2) Participate in any five of the activities below, email us what you did,
and you’ll also be entered in the drawing. Ten activities gets you two entries.

2026 Earth Month Activities

iNaturalist Training for City Nature Challenge, Monday, March 23, 5-6pm, at Clear Creek Interpretive Barn – Located at 9641 Levin Rd NW, Silverdale, the BI Parks Department and Great Peninsula Conservancy are teaming up to invite you to a hands-on training session to prepare for the 2026 City Nature Challenge! Learn how to use iNaturalist, the mobile app that turns nature observations into valuable scientific data. Register here. Reach out to GPC’s  community engagement coordinator’s, Corryn, here.

Solarize Bainbridge, Wednesday, March 25, 6-7:30pm, at Bainbridge City Hall – Learn if solar is right for your home at this free public workshop. This limited-time program is sponsored by The City of Bainbridge Island and Olympia Community Solar with the primary goal of educating and supporting homeowners through the solar purchasing experience. Get all your questions answered directly from local installers. Sign up for a free home assessment here and RSVP to the workshop here.

Amorous Amphibians Night Hike, Saturday, March 28, 630-8:30pm, at IslandWood – Participants will learn about native frogs, their calls and habits in an engaging visual and audio presentation and then head into our frog-filled wetlands at dusk to hunt for breeding frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and their eggs. Get tickets here.

Weed Warriors Native Plant Restoration Weed Pull, Saturday, March 28, 2-4pm, at Bloedel Reserve – Bring garden gloves, drinking water, pruners, shovels, loppers etc. If you don’t have, we have extras. Please dress for the weather. Register here. Meet in the staff parking lot at 7766 NE W. Port Madison, on left just past the “public trail” sign. Contact Jeannette for more information.

Bainbridge Island Environmental Conference: Rising Seas, Sunday, March 29, 1-4pm, at IslandWood –  Participants will learn and have conversations about the science and impacts of sea level rise, and how we as an Island and Puget Sound community can and should respond. There are optional Saturday field trips and an optional IslandWood-made lunch before the conference. Find out more information and how to register here.

When the Forest Breathes Book Talk, Tuesday, March 31, 6:30-8pm, at IslandWood – Drawing from decades of research and a lifetime shaped by forestry in British Columbia, Suzanne Simard, author of Finding the Mother Tree,  looks closely at what happens when natural cycles of death and renewal are disrupted and what forests can teach us about restoration. She reflects on her collaborations with Indigenous communities, whose long-standing stewardship practices offer models of reciprocity and care that industrial forestry has often overlooked. Get tickets here.

Sock recycling, April 1-30, at Bay Hay and Feed – Clean, singles or pairs. Keep separate: Do not bag, roll, clip, or band together. Look for the Smartwool dropbox inside the store. They get recycled through the Second Cut Project. You can also bring in plant tags and any purple pots from Blooming Nursery anytime of the year for recycling.

First Wednesday Work Party, Wednesday, April 1, 9-11am, at Manzanita Ridge Preserve – Grab your gloves and join us for a morning of pulling invasive ivy on the north side of the Preserve, as part of ongoing restoration efforts. Parking will be available at Manzanita Park. Sign up here.

Earth Month Podcast, Wednesday, April 1, 1:30-2pm – Watch recording here. Join Reed Price and his Best of Bainbridge winning podcast, Something to Talk About, as he explores with guests the many activities offered in and around the island during Earth Month.

Tossed & Found Exhibit, April 3-26, at Bainbridge Arts & Crafts – Come open the show with us during First Friday Art Walk on April 3, 6-8pm. Imagination and resourcefulness are on display this spring, when 10 artists known for their use of recycled, reused and repurposed materials celebrate Earth Month 2026 in BAC’s clever and enchanting exhibition. Go here to see the roster of artists.

Halls Hill Work Party, Tuesday, April 7, 1-3pm, at Halls Hill Park – Join us for the regular Halls Hill Stewards volunteer work party. We’ll plan to weed, prune, and possibly water, depending on what the space needs that day. Feel free to bring a friend, many hands make light (and fun!) work. Register here.

Growing More Vegetables & Fruit in Small Spaces, Tuesday, April 7, 6:30pm, on Zoom – Expert gardener & BI Fruit Club founder, Darren Murphy, grows lots of veggies, over 200 varieties of  fruit, and a healthy flock of chickens in his compact & beautiful suburban garden. He will teach us special techniques for creating more abundance in less space, including how to fit crops into unconventional places, use self-watering pots, and maximize success with a variety of containers. Link is here.

Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste Facility Tour, Wednesday, April 8, 10am-noon, in Bremerton – 5551 SW Imperial Way, Bremerton, WA 98312 . Tour the only place in the county where you can take household hazardous waste year-round (until a similar North Kitsap facility opens later this year). Get a behind-the-scenes look at what happens after you drop off items like paint, batteries, and other hazardous waste. The event features self-guided tours with informational stations, and knowledgeable staff who can answer your questions along the way.

Bokashi Composting, Friday, April 10, 5-6:30pm, at the Norm Dicks Government Center, Bremerton – Washington State University Kitsap Extension, in partnership with Kitsap County Solid Waste, offers bokashi composting, an indoor fermentation-based method well-suited for many households and living situations. You will learn what bokashi composting is and how the fermentation process works; how to set up a bokashi system, including DIY options;  step-by-step guidance on managing the process;  common troubleshooting tips and how to avoid common mistakes; and how to make and use Bokashi tea. Register here.

Conservation Work Party, Saturday, April 11, 10am-noon, at Manzanita Park – Join the Parks Department, BI Parks & Trails Foundation, and BI Land Trust in helping to restore habitat along the Manzanita Watershed. We’ll be removing invasive plant species and creating habitat piles. Meet at the parking area/kiosk at the end of Manzanita Park Road. This activity would be more suitable for children ages six and up who are comfortable using some tools, walking off trail on uneven surfaces, and potentially getting pricked by blackberry thorns. We will have leather gloves and water to refill your reusable water bottles, plus some wildflower seeds to give away! Register here. Contact Sierra Kross with questions.

Metal Sorting, Saturday, April 11, 11am-noon, at BI Senior & Community Center – For ages 4 and up, come and sort small-sized ferrous from non-ferrous metal items with magnets provided. The aluminum, steel and other metals are taken to a scrapyard to be recycled and funds received are donated back to the BISCC. Contact Barbara Ochota with questions.

Spring Foraging Walk and Tasting, Saturday, April 11, 2-4pm, in Grand Forest – Join us for a slow walk through the Grand Forest, where we will identify local edibles and spring forageables. We will start and end our walk at Coyote Farm, where, at the end, we will enjoy snacks made with some of the most abundant items we encounter on our walk.  All ages welcome. Your ticket includes the informational walk, as well as snacks and drinks at the end. Get tickets here.

Collaborative Community Art Activity, Sunday, April 12, 11am-3pm on Winslow Way, Windermere Patio – Bainbridge Arts & Crafts presents a free, all ages community art engagement event at the Windermere Patio on Winslow Way. Led by Port Townsend artist Margie McDonald, Islanders can lend a hand in the creation of a collaborative art project with materials provided at the event or delivered to BAC in advance. Community members are encouraged to drop off their clean, hard plastic lids, yogurt container lids, bottle and jar caps, and six-pack can yokes at the BAC gallery before April 12.

Panel Talk: 10 Years of ReFashion’s Inspiration, Invitation & Creation, Sunday, April 12, 3-5pm, at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art – The panelists, who are all involved with the upcoming ReFashion Show, will share the history of this show, their creative processes, the environmental urgency behind textile waste, and how refashioning opens up new pathways for expression, community connection, and sustainable futures. Plus, in honor of Handwork 2026, we will examine how handwork, repurposing, and resourcefulness shape the ReFashion Show, now in its 10th year, and the broader story of craft today. Get tickets here.

Red Pine Park Work Party, Tuesday, April 14, 10am-noon, at Red Pine Park – at 418 Wood Av SW. All levels of garden enthusiasts are welcome to help BI Parks Department maintain the garden beds, historic fruit orchard, edible perennials, and other historic plantings in this former homestead in the heart of downtown. Please note: there is limited parking available at this park. Register here. Contact Sierra Kross with questions.

Free Dark Sky Community Movie Night, Tuesday, April 14, 6:45-8:10 pm, at the Historic Lynwood Theatre — Join DarkSky Olympic Peninsula and Battle Point Astronomical Association for a free, family friendly movie night to discover more about our night skies. Dark sky conservation benefits wildlife and their habitats, reduces health and safety risks to humans, saves energy, and reduces costs. Light pollution has devastating effects on migrating birds, native plants, and pollinators. Learn more in a series of short films followed by a brief panel discussion. More info and free tickets here.

Spring Skills of a Naturalist: Breakfast with the Birds, Friday, April 17, 7-9am, at IslandWood – Starting off the day right, IslandWood style, your ticket price includes a fresh selection of bagels, spreads, coffee, tea & juice, lox, vegetarian proteins and breakfast wraps to fuel us for the morning ahead on the trails. Then we’ll hit the trails and visit wetland habitat intently looking and listening for as many species as we can identify. IslandWood’s 250-acre wood boasts several unique ecosystems including a freshwater pond, cattail marsh, sphagnum bog, a ravine, and deep conifer forests that boast several species of woodpeckers! More info and registration here.

Dark Skies Information Table, Saturday, April 18, 10am-2pm, at BI Farmers Market – Learn about the 5 Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting and how dark skies benefit wildlife and their habitats, reduce health and safety risks to humans, save energy, and reduce costs. Light pollution has devastating effects on migrating birds, native plants, and pollinators.

Free Invasive Weed Disposal, Sunday, April 19, 10am-4pm, at the Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station – The Bainbridge Island Land Trust hosts this (semi)annual free invasive plant drop-off. They will accept Scotch broom, English holly, English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, tansy ragwort, English laurel, and the noxious weeds on Kitsap County’s “Noxious Weed” list. Please do not mix in non-invasive yard waste. For questions about whether or not something will be accepted, email Andrew Fraser, Land Trust Stewardship Manager, or call (206) 842-1216. More details are here.

Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting, Sunday, April 19, 1-3pm, at Bainbridge Vineyards – Meet the winemaker and grape grower Betsey Wittick as she takes you on a special Spring tour of the vineyards. She will talk about the sustainable practices used to keep both the vines and the environment healthy, including the work of our draft horses. You will also learn about the history of the farm and the other farmers who share this 40 acre historic farm. Bring your questions and dress for the weather!  The tour will end with your choice of either a glass of wine or a tasting flight. Event is held rain or shine and is non-refundable. Get tickets here.

Public Site Tour, Sunday, April 19, 1-3pm, at IslandWood – A volunteer docent will lead this three-hour walk through our ecologically diverse campus, including a cattail marsh, pond, forest, and ravine, as well as field structures such as a suspension bridge and tree house. In addition to natural history, you will learn about our educational programs and the sustainable design of our buildings. This tour is for adults and teens 15 and up. More info and registration here.

Spring Skills of a Naturalist: Fiddlin’ with Ferns, Sunday, April 19, 2-4pm, at IslandWood – Learn to confidently identify the most common ferns of Pacific Northwest forests while uncovering the remarkable survival strategies of one of Earth’s oldest plant lineages. Join us for a spring exploration into the ancient world of ferns, plants that flourished long before dinosaurs walked the Earth. Together, we will practice the step-by-step process naturalists use to distinguish species in the field – by examining frond structure, growth patterns, symmetry, texture, and habitat clues. Whether you are new to botany or looking to sharpen your field skills, you will leave better equipped to observe carefully, interpret what you see, and read the understory with new understanding. More info and registration here.

Climate Grief Cafe, Sunday, April 19, 2-4pm, at BI Senior & Community Center – All ages. Come and talk about what’s on your mind about climate change. What are you seeing? What concerns do you have? How are you adjusting?

Film Women’s Work: The Untold Story of America’s Female Farmers, Sunday, April 19, 7-9pm, at Lynwood Theater – Friends of the Farms invites you to see this compelling documentary that shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women in agriculture and presents a uniquely matrilineal perspective on America’s farming history. It’s a powerful and inspiring homage to the strength and ingenuity of women in farming. See the trailer here. Tickets are available here.

Planting Party, Wednesday, April 22, 10am-noon, at BARN – 8890 Three Tree Lane NE. We’ll celebrate Earth Day with a little weeding, clearing, and planting in the outdoor areas at BARN. Bring a friend, a pair of garden gloves, and some favorite tools such as weeders, pruning shears, rakes, or reusable yard waste bags. Lend a hand as we get the grounds ready for everyone to enjoy! We’ll have some delicious cookies to share when we’re done. Go here for more info.

Solarize Bainbridge Workshop, Wednesday, April 22, 6-7:30pm, at BI City Hall – Learn more about Solarize Bainbridge Island, a solar education and group purchasing program sponsored by The City of Bainbridge Island and Olympia Community Solar. Find out the basics of solar and if it’s right for your home. Get all your questions answered directly from local installers in this free public workshop. For more info, go here or listen to recent podcasts that Ben Silesky (Olympia Community Solar) and Mike Cox (COBI Climate Committee chair) did with BIStander and the BI Senior Community Center.

David Roth in Concert, Wednesday, April 22, 7-8:30pm, at Grace Church – Grace Church’s Earth & Spirit is hosting an evening performance featuring award-winning environmentalist and singer-songwriter David Roth. As an instrumentalist and storyteller, he will affirm and inspire our conservation values. Local environmental groups will participate in an outreach gathering, sharing their accomplishments and efforts to “practice and make progress”. Get tickets here. To learn more about this Earth Day show, contact Randy Otto or Wendy Tyner.

Vermicomposting Workshop, Thursday, April 23, 2-4pm, at Poulsbo Public Library – This class, hosted by Roots Farm, is designed to help community members turn food scraps into nutrient-rich compost while reducing landfill waste. This practical, beginner-friendly workshop teaches simple, low-cost worm composting systems that build healthy soil, support local food production, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Spots are limited. Register here.

Growing Non-tree Fruit, Thursday, April 23, 6-8pm, at Grange Hall – Join BI Fruit Club president Darren Murphy to learn how to grow raspberries and other cane fruit, strawberries, and kiwis.

Shredfest, Saturday, April 25, 9am-4pm, in the bank lot across from Safeway – Your tax or personal information is securely shredded at this event hosted by the Bainbridge Island Kiwanis. Bring in grocery bags or Bankers Boxes, then watch the documents being shredded (and ultimately recycled). Please, no corrugated cardboard or other recyclables. Your tax-deductible donation goes to scholarships for Bainbridge Island youth.

Metal Sorting, Saturday, April 25, 11am-noon, at BI Senior & Community Center – For ages 4 and up, come and sort small-sized ferrous from non-ferrous metal items with magnets provided. The aluminum, steel and other metals are taken to a scrapyard to be recycled and funds received are donated back to the BISCC. Contact Barbara Ochota with questions.

City Nature Challenge Bioblitz, BIMPRD & BILT, Saturday, April 25, 1-4pm, at Manzanita Park & Ridge Reserve –  Be a part of the global City Nature Challenge* event in Manzanita Park.  BI Land Trust and BI Parks will engage in a local “bioblitz” or citizen science monitoring event using iNaturalist in areas along the Manzanita Watershed. This is one of several Bioblitz events in Kitsap County between April 24-27 to observe and record natural organisms to help better understand the biodiversity of our area. Meet at parking area/kiosk at end of Manzanita Park Road. More info and registration here.

Weed Warriors Weed Pull, Sunday, April 26, 10-noon, at Bloedel Reserve – Join Weed Warriors at Bloedel as part of their all-day celebration (see below). Not only will we be removing the noxious ivy, we will have a contest for the longest, strongest stretches of ivy vines. Ivy pull participants should enter at the staff entrance at 7571 NE West Port Madison Road. Register here. Warriors will also have an information table and demonstrations at the Earth Day celebration.

Bloedel Reserve Earth Day Celebration & City Nature Challenge Bioblitz, Sunday, April 26, 10-3 pm, at Bloedel Reserve – Enjoy a fun, family day full of science, stewardship, and the Pacific Northwest. Participate in the global City Nature Challenge, enjoy local food vendors and a plant sale with local nurseries, stroll the gardens, attend readings from Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds with various authors, take a birding walk, and create your own biosphere in a jar! More info and tickets here.

Free Invasive Weed Disposal, Sunday, April 26, 10am-4pm, at the Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station – The Bainbridge Island Land Trust hosts this (semi)annual free invasive plant drop-off. They will accept Scotch broom, English holly, English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, tansy ragwort, English laurel, and the noxious weeds on Kitsap County’s “Noxious Weed” list. Please do not mix in non-invasive yard waste. For questions about whether or not something will be accepted, email Andrew Fraser, Land Trust Stewardship Manager, or call (206) 842-1216. More details are here.

Earth Month Afternoon on the Trails, Sunday, April 26, 1-5pm, at IslandWood – The trail systems will be open this day only for your self-guided exploration. We’ll have maps for you so you can find your way around and will be happy to suggest a route that is suitable for your family and abilities.  Both treehouses and our forest canopy tower, as well as the suspension bridge, will be open for your visit, too! At this special event, we’ll have our Ask the Naturalist table open again. These nice folks will introduce you to the City Nature Challenge event taking place April 24-April 27th 2026 for Kitsap County. We’d love for you to participate while you’re on-site! It’s easy, and can be built in to your trail adventure. More info here.

Natural Dyes Workshop, Sunday, April 26, 1-3pm, at Bainbridge Vineyards – Learn about natural color making from Pine & Cactus’ Amanda. She will lead an experimentation with dye material, water, and textiles in a jar for a marbled, starry effect. This simple technique provides a quick introduction into natural dyeing through an overview, demonstration, and hands-on learning; learn about textile preparation, nature’s rainbow of color, and how to make one-of-a-kind sustainable pieces. Beginner, no experience necessary. Register here.

ReFashion Show, Sunday, April 26, 5:30-8pm, at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art – Celebrate the 10th annual fashion show that cases original outfits made from local and regional designers using secondhand and deadstock material. Entrants compete in four categories. Doors open at 5:30 with hors d’ouevres, cash bar and music. Bring jewelry you no longer want and leave with pieces new to you. Show starts at 6:30. Go here for tickets and more information.

BI Flashdrive Pick-up, Monday, April 27, 8am, at your home – Each month, Flashdrive comes to your home and picks up items designated for a certain nonprofit or business for reusing or recycling. Read more here. If you’re not on the Flashdrive email notification list, contact Kathy McGowan to get on it.

“Night Magic” Battle Point Observatory Book Group, Tuesday, April 28, 6:00 pm on Zoom – BPO Book Group meets for a lively discussion about Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and other Marvels of the Dark. In this glorious celebration of the night, New York Times bestselling nature writer Leigh Ann Henion invites us to leave our well-lit homes, step outside, and embrace the dark as a profoundly beautiful part of the world we inhabit. Because no matter where we live, we are surrounded by animals that rise with the moon, and blooms that reveal themselves as light fades. Sign up on Zoom here.

Manzanita Watershed Walk & Talk, Thursday, April 30, 6-8pm, at Manzanita Park – Join the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District Natural Resources for an evening walk and talk exploring the Manzanita watershed. Participants will park and meet at Manzanita Park and finish at Manzanita Ridge. Space is limited; register here.

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Drink Like You Live Here

Take your OWN cup anytime, anywhere…

Anytime Activities

Earth Month Bingo – Easy actions you can take that add up when you make them a habit. Play by yourself or as a family. Print your own board here. When you get a bingo, take a picture of your card and email to bizerowaste@sustainablebainbridge.org. Do the activities in April 2026, and you will be entered into a drawing for an Eagle Harbor Books gift card!

Litter pick-up – A year-round activity! If you would like to borrow grabbers for a group cleanup or your own, please email Zero Waste. We even have one grabber that can reach 50 feet! If you want to get serious about regular pick-ups, consider joining the City’s Adopt-a-Spot program.

Nominate a tree – The city has a Heritage Tree Register. If you know of a tree that is especially interesting or exceptional, be it on public or private land, consider nominating it for the register. (If on private property, the owner must consent to the nomination.) Criteria for qualifying trees and the nomination form are found here.

Read Salish Magazine – This locally produced online magazine immerses readers in the natural world of Kitsap County visually and aurally.

Invasive species reporting – Get the invasives species app, covering both flora and fauna, to help alert state officials of a sighting, such as the green crab (a threat to native species) or daphne laureola (toxic to humans and livestock).

Citizen Science: Carnivores! – Contribute your sightings to the Woodland Park Zoo’s urban carnivore spotter project, which aims to support communities in facilitating solutions to achieve positive coexistence with carnivores.

Earth Month Bainbridge Island is dedicated to the memory of local Lorax and Champion of Trees around the world, Dr. Olaf Ribeiro, who passed away on August 4, 2024.  He taught so many of us about the fabulous fungi and trees around us and helped protect and save so many trees, not just on Bainbridge Island but around the world. His incredible intelligence and tenaciousness spared many a tree the chainsaw!  His engaging stories, endearing smile, and infectious laugh will be dearly missed.  For those of you who may not already know, Olaf truly was the inspiration for our annual event Celebrate Trees! Earth Month Bainbridge Island.  He approached the Sustainable Bainbridge Board and asked why we, as a community, did not do anything significant to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day.  Thus, this full month celebration, incorporating activities and events to honor both, was born.  And we have been doing it every year since thanks to your incredible dedication. individually and through your organizations.  For that, I am incredibly thankful. ~Christine Perkins, Board Member, Sustainable Bainbridge

To more deeply understand the impact of  Olaf’s work with and passion for trees, please read these two moving past tributes from islanders Barb Trafton and Christina Woolf.