Many organizations aren’t waiting until Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2024 to pay some special attention to the environment. The annual observance, which first began in 1970 on April 22, has been going strong year to year, with people all over the globe doing their part and taking action to protect the planet.

Typically, neighborhood cleanups are held as well as tree plantings.

 So, how is Warwick commemorating Earth Day this year? There are dozens of events those interested in taking part in can sign up for and volunteer their time.

Save The Bay and the Conimicut Village Association are also doing a cleanup on April 20 at Conimicut Point Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

John Paul, a volunteer for Save The Bay and board member for the Conimicut Village Association, said, “A few years ago, July Lewis, volunteer manager at Save The Bay, contacted Conimicut Village Association to partner together to focus on frequent cleanuos at Conimicut Point with our volunteer efforts.”

“So, we have the local ownership with Conimicut Village, Save The Bay has expertise and resources and insurance and proper training and they’ve got a lot of good infrastructure – and we work together. And the purpose wasn’t to a lot of cleanups to pick up litter, that’s a secondary purpose, the purpose was to do the frequent cleanups and drive down the litter.”

Paul said that cleanups both organizations have done together have been going on “for many years” and they also work “seamlessly with the city.” He added that there is coordination with Warwick’s Parks and Recreation department to make sure the trash that’s gathered is picked up.

“It’s a really successful program,” Paul added. “Makes my life a lot easier coordinating bi-weekly cleanups from Earth Day all the way past Columbus Day up at the Conimicut Point Park. And we do Rocky Point, and Oakland Beach, and Buttonwoods, and Salter Grove. A lot of the same people work on both – so there’s local ownership from different team members at those other parks, people that live in the area.”

Paul said the event will start with a gathering “near the lighthouse end of the park.”

“And we’ll spread and we’ll do the north shore of Conimicut Park, we’ll do the south shore of Conimicut Park and we’ll circle inwards and then we’ll meet back at the point,” he added.

Save The Bay also does other cleanups throughout the state. Additional information about those events along with signing up to volunteer for this cleanup in Warwick can be done by visiting savebay.org.

Outside of Warwick, there are plenty of opportunities for Rhode Islanders to get involved this Earth Day. A list of additional volunteer opportunities can be viewed at litterfree.ri.gov.