From parks to habits, Earth Day grows through community and small choices
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — There are moments that remind us we’re part of something ongoing. A tree blooming where none stood the year before. The sound of children digging in soft dirt. A neighbor sharing flowers from their yard or handing over lemons from the tree out back.
It’s not about urgency or noise. It’s about noticing what’s already here—and choosing to care for it.
The Earth sustains life—the air we breathe, the food we grow, the quiet spaces we walk through when things feel too loud. And sometimes, it’s enough just to recognize that.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. It began in 1970 as a national day set aside for learning and action, focused on the environment and how people interact with the natural world. That first year, millions of Americans joined events in schools, parks, and public spaces—many of them for the first time.
Since then, Earth Day has grown far beyond the U.S. It’s now observed around the world in communities of all kinds. Each year, people take part in local clean-ups, educational programs, tree planting, or simply spend time outdoors. The focus is always the same: taking care of the places we call home.
In Simi Valley, that idea will take root at Sequoia Park on Friday, April 25. Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is inviting the community for an afternoon of hands-on planting, flower crafts to take home, and outdoor activities led by the Mobile Rec team. Local vendors will join in, and residents of all ages are encouraged to take part in the small but meaningful work of tending to their park.
That same day, Rancho Simi staff and community members will also gather at Verde Park for a tree-planting ceremony in honor of Arbor Day. The event, held at 6045 Nelda Street, will recognize the efforts of the Busy Hands Gardening Club and continue the city’s commitment to green space and community planting.
In nearby Moorpark, the city will host its annual Earth Festival and Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Arroyo Vista Community Park. The event will include a yard sale, tree and seed giveaways, eco-friendly vendors, gardening information, and kids’ activities.
Beyond these events, residents can pitch in through small, practical choices. In Simi Valley, free community recycling events are held year-round, offering safe disposal for items like electronic waste and old paint. Running several errands in one trip—whether in an electric or gas-powered car—saves fuel, cuts down on emissions, and often saves time and money, too.
Simi Valley, Moorpark, and all of Ventura County are surrounded by places that remind us what we’re working to protect. From the hills of the Santa Susana Mountains to the agricultural fields that stretch toward the coast—and all the way to the ocean—this region offers space to step outside and connect. Hike a trail. Sit beneath a tree. Pick your own strawberries. These moments don’t have to be reserved for Earth Day—but they’re a good place to start.
For me, that connection to place shows up most clearly on two wheels. When I ride into the open hills, the shift is immediate. I leave behind the daily noise and settle into something slower and quieter. It’s just the trail, the birds, the steady rhythm of tires on dirt.
That feeling—that rhythm and quiet—is mine. And I carry it long after the ride is over.
