How to celebrate TN Earth Day with nature hikes, workshops, 5k

• Earth Day is an annual celebration intended to promote environmental protection.
• The theme for Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet,” emphasizing collective action.
• Tennessee State Parks will host various events like hikes, plantings workshops to celebrate.

Earth Day, the annual event which promotes environmental protection and awareness, is this week.

Celebrating its 56th year, this year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” which stresses the importance of communities, educators, workers and families working together toward environmental progress.

“‘Our Power, Our Planet’ is not a political statement. It is a commitment to stewardship, resilience, and shared accountability — a call for every individual, community, and sector to exercise their power in service of the planet we all depend on,” reads the 2026 manifesto.

To celebrate Earth Day 2026, the Tennessee State Parks system will be offering educational, recreational and volunteer events across the state.

Here’s what to know.

When is Earth Day 2026?

Earth Day is April 22.

According to Earthday.org, the movement’s founders — inspired by the student anti‑war protests of the 1960s and 1970s — chose a weekday falling between Spring Break and final exams to maximize the greatest student participation.

Why is Earth Day celebrated?

The history of Earth Day dates back to 1962 with Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestselling book, “Silent Spring” which raised awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the links between pollution and public health.

U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, was concerned about worsening environmental conditions and galvanized by the massive 1969 oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara. He launched the idea that would become Earth Day.

Nelson partnered with Republican U.S. Rep. Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes to organize nationwide teach‑ins on April 22, expanding the effort beyond college campuses and rebranding it as Earth Day, an event that quickly gained national media attention and widespread public participation.

Tennessee State Parks system celebrates Earth Day 2026

Here’s a look at events planned by region, happening on and around April 22.

West Tennessee

Middle Tennessee

East Tennessee:

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.