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Celebrating Sustainability. Every Day.

Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has become a truly global phenomenon, with celebrations found in every corner of the world, including San Luis Obispo. It’s a day to look back on progress made toward creating a more sustainable environment while also discussing the challenges that the future holds.

As we’ve previously shared with you, SLO is all about creating a more sustainable future. With a city-wide goal of being carbon neutral by 2035, our city’s tourism department has created Sustainable SLO, a visitor-driven program dedicated to helping the city reach carbon neutrality. Our flagship initiative, the Keys for Trees program, sets aside a portion of all city lodging revenue to support the goal of planting 10,000 new trees around town. With help from EcoSLO as part of its Urban Tree Planting initiative, your stays in San Luis Obispo help make the region greener, little by little.

Get into SLO Gear, Sustainably

SLO also encourages visitors to use alternative transportation while in town. This, combined with our ban on single-use plastics helps ensure that this will remain a viable — and beautiful — place to visit for generations to come. As proud holders of “A List” status from the Carbon Disclosure Project, we’re working to create new ways for travelers to contribute to these efforts. In the meantime, why not check out our Simple Ways to Be Sustainable post for more tips? From taking Amtrak into SLO to getting around by bus or bike, we have some ideas on how to lighten your carbon footprint on your next trip.

Photo credit @cameragirrl

SLO Earth Day Events

As for Earth Day itself, there’s a full slate of events to celebrate the 52nd annual event.

On Thursday, April 21, Eco SLO hosts an early Earth Day event at the SLO Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring booths and tables to educate the public on how they can help our planet. On Friday, April 22, the group hosts a beach cleanup at Pirate’s Cove from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

When Saturday, April 23 rolls around, Eco SLO will participate in an Earth Day Alliance Event at Laguna Lake. It’s exciting for both locals and visitors because this is the first official Earth Day event held in SLO since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic in early 2020. The event is open to all ages and is free to enter. More details here.

While you’re in the area, don’t miss City Farm SLO, which will host a plant sale April 23, featuring tomato, cucumber and pepper starts, all ready to take home and plant for summer. This 19-acre urban farm helps empower younger generations to live healthier, more prosperous lives through sustainable agriculture and farm-based education. Be sure to register here.

More Ways to Get Involved

Let’s not forget Cal Poly, which will host a series of events leading up to Earth Day. The university’s Earth Week events include a sustainability festival, movie screenings, a clothing swap, a panel on green careers, and it all culminates in a community garden work day on April 23. Details here.

Of course, Earth Day isn’t just a once-a-year phenomenon. Eco SLO keeps the green vibes going with a tree planting day on May 7, and volunteers are welcome to get their hands a little dirty while helping make SLO an even more tree-friendly city. Here’s how to get involved.

So, what are your plans for Earth Day in SLO? Be sure to use the hashtag #ShareSLO on social media to send us your photos and videos of how you’re helping make SLO more sustainable.