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Earth Day was expanded to a global initiative in 1990 under guidance from Hayes.

Celebrations can include the planting of trees, committing to end or reduce the countryòòò½ÊÓƵ™s reliance on plastics and advocating for changes that will benefit the planet and human and animal health.

The Marshall University Sustainability Department kicked off celebrations early with an Earth Day Fair Wednesday on campus. The day featured educational workshops and activities.

Upcoming Earth Day events include:

Earth & Culture Day

Central City hosts the first Earth & Culture Day Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 20 on 14th Street West. Admission is free.

Hosted by RenewAll Inc., the event will take place in the Central City Gazebo Park.

It will feature local artists, live music, Appalachian Folk Lore readings, Sacred Dialogue, and falconry and raptor education with Eric Patton of the Kentucky Falconers Association. Visitors can also learn about water quality and stormwater management, take part in planting wildflowers and even get involved in composting.

Food will be available for purchase from The Wild Ramp and Street Shawarma.

Plant and Seed Swap

Sue Hovemeyer with Sueòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Nourishing Herbs will be the guest speaker for the West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Service Garden Club in Wayne Countyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s third annual Plant and Seed Swap at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, at the Beech Fork Marina in Lavalette. The event is free to attend.

WVCEOS is a voluntary, nonprofit organization functioning in cooperation with West Virginia University Extension since 1914 and is one of the largest educational organizations in the nation, said Cathy Smith, program assistant at the WVU Wayne County Extension Office.

Those who are bringing plants or seeds for exchange are asked to label them with species and care instructions and make sure they are pest-free and healthy.

The plants and seeds brought to the event should also be noninvasive and should not be trees, according to Smith.

Banff Mountain Film Festival

Marshall Health Network presents The Banff Mountain Film Festival returning to the Marshall Artists Series at 7 p.m. Monday, April 22, at the Marshall University Recreation Center.

Enjoy an indoor camp atmosphere during the eight-film, one-night event including free popcorn and a chance to win prizes from outdoor brands.

This yearòòò½ÊÓƵ™s film program, òòò½ÊÓƵœFireweedòòò½ÊÓƵ� features eight films filled with adventure, perseverance and life lessons the outdoor world has to offer.

The films are:

• òòò½ÊÓƵœNo Wayòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2023, France, 4 min)
• òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Ascension Series: Morag Skeltonòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2023, United Kingdom, 5 min)
• òòò½ÊÓƵœSchool of Fishòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2022, USA, 19 min)
• òòò½ÊÓƵœChronoceptionòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2023, France, 41 min)
• òòò½ÊÓƵœTo Be Frankòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2023, USA, 12 min)
• òòò½ÊÓƵœGoing Greenlandòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2023, USA, 23 min)
• òòò½ÊÓƵœWell Worn Life with Dani Reyes-Acostaòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2022, USA, 6 min)
• òòò½ÊÓƵœReel Rock: DNAòòò½ÊÓƵ� (2023, USA, 23 min)

Tickets are $15 (including taxes and fees) and are available by calling the Marshall Artists Series box office at 304-696-6656 or visiting or at the box office on Marshall University campus in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

EcoArts Festival

The Huntington Museum of Art will celebrate Earth Day with an EcoArts Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, as part of the 4th Tuesday Tour Series at HMA. Admission is free.

The family-friendly festival will include a printmaking activity designed by HMAòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Education Department; a BioBottle demonstration with HMA Conservatory Director Josh Hamrick; an electric vehicle presentation from 5 to 7 p.m.; and eco-friendly artisans demonstrating and highlighting their creations. The Viper Wood-Fired Oven Pizza food truck is scheduled to attend so visitors can purchase something to eat at the event.