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Calendar of Global Environmental Events and Volunteer Opportunities

January

Arbor Day celebrations - held annually throughout the year (date determined by the best tree planting times in each country/state).
International Day of Education (UN) - held annually on January 24th to recognize the importance of working to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

February

World Spay Day - held annually on the last Tuesday of every February to promote spaying or neutering of our pets and feral cats.
World Wetlands Day - held annually on February 2nd.
World Pangolin Day - held annually on the third Saturday in February.
World Day of Social Justice (UN) - held annually on February 20th.

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: World Wetlands Day

March

World Wildlife Day - held annually on March 3rd to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.
International Women's Day - held annually on March 8th to celebrate women's achievements and promote gender parity.
Global Recycling Day - held annually on March 18th.
Meatout - held annually on the first day of spring (on or around March 20) to promote a vegan diet.
World Frog Day - held annually on March 20th.
International Day of Forests (UN) - held annually on March 21st to celebrate the ways in which forests and trees sustain and protect us.
World Water Day - held annually on March 22nd.
World Meteorological Day - held annually on March 23rd to raise awareness about climate change.
Earth Hour - held in late March annually to promote efforts to address climate change by asking businesses and residents to turn off their lights for one hour (from 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm local time).

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: Earth Hour

April

Earth Day - held annually during the third week of April - especially April 22nd. Celebrate Earth Day in your neighborhood.
International Mother Earth Day (UN) - held annually on April 22nd.
Save the Frogs Day - held annually on the last Saturday of April.

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: Save the Frogs Day

May

National Bike Month - held annually in May (U.S. event).
Screen-Free Week - held annually in early to mid-May.
World Fair Trade Day - held annually during the second week of May. If you haven't yet switched to buying fair trade gifts, find great gifts at Online Fair Trade Shops.
World Migratory Bird Day - held annually on the second Saturday in May (and October).
World Bee Day (UN) - held annually on May 20th to further raise awareness of the importance of bees and to strengthen collaboration to protect them.
World Fish Migration Day - held annually around May 21st to create awareness of the importance of open rivers and migratory fish.
International Day for Biological Diversity - held annually on May 22nd.
World Turtle Day - held annually on May 23rd.

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: World Fair Trade Day

June

World Bicycle Day (UN) - held annually on June 3rd.
World Environment Day - held annually every June 5th.
World Oceans Day - held annually every June 8th.
National Trails Day - held annually on the first Saturday of June (U.S. event).
Global Wind Day - held annually on June 15th.
World Day to Combat Desertification (UN) - held annually on June 17th to raise awareness of efforts to combat desertification and the effects of drought.
World Rainforest Day - held annually every June 22nd.
International Day of the Tropics (UN) - held annually every June 29th.

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: World Ocean Day

July

World Population Day (UN) - held annually every July 11th.

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: World Population Day

August

International Day of the World's Indigenous People (UN) - held annually on August 9th.
International Youth Day (UN) - held annually on August 12th.
World Elephant Day - held annually on August 12th.
International Day Against Nuclear Tests (UN)- held annually on August 29th.
International Bat Night - held annually on the last full weekend of August.

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: International Youth Day

September

International Coastal Cleanup Day - held annually on the third Saturday of September.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (UN) - held annually on September 7th
International Literacy Day (UN) - held annually on September 8th
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (UN) - held annually on September 16th.
Clean Up the World Weekend (UN) - held annually during the third weekend of September.
International Day of Peace - held annually on September 21st.
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (UN) - held annually on September 26th
World Rivers Day - held annually on the fourth Sunday of September

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: International Coastal Cleanup Day

October

World Habitat Day (UN) - held annually on the first Monday of October.
World Day for Farmed Animals - held annually on or around October 2nd (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday).
World Animal Day - held every October 4th to raise the status of animals to improve welfare standards around the globe.
National Tour of Solar Homes and Businesses - held every October throughout North America (U.S. and Canadian events).
International Walk to School Month - held annually in October.
International E-Waste Day - held annually on October 14th.
World Migratory Bird Day - held annually on the second Saturday in October (and May).
World Food Day (UN) - held annually on October 16th. Learn about the hunger map from the UN World Food Programme.

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: International Walk to School Month

November

World Vegan Month - held annually all month.
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (UN) - held annually on November 6th
Buy Nothing Day (UN) - held annually on the day after Thanksgiving (U.S. only).

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: World Vegan Month

December

International Volunteer Day (UN) - held annually on December 5th.
World Soil Day (UN) - held annually on December 5th
Human Rights Day (UN)- held annually on December 10th.
International Mountain Day (UN) - held annually on December 11th

Calendar of Global Environmental Events: International Volunteer Day

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

20 Sites for Finding Volunteer Opportunities - comprehensive list of large databases of volunteer opportunities.
Find a Volunteer Opportunity: 30 Websites To Get You Started - some great additional ways to volunteer.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Benefits of Volunteering

Hie You Off to Volunteer

If life’s been too hectic,
Your candle burning at both ends.
And you feel the need for change,
And a chance to meet new friends.

If your sense of life’s purpose,
Is all too hazy and diffuse.
And you feel the world’s gone crazy,
When you read the daily news.

Then hie you off to volunteer,
Helping others fly.
Reclaim a sense of worth,
And lift your spirits to the sky.

Then your spark will be ignited,
A sense of purpose will return.
And you'll depart from helping others,
With a smile and lessons learned.

~ inspired by a 1964 bulletin recruiting volunteers to help build a campground

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community - including our natural community. It can also be (and hopefully is) a fulfilling and rewarding experience for the volunteer. Here are some benefits of volunteering:

Connect with others: Volunteering allows you to connect with your community and make it a better place. It can also help you make new friends and contacts.
Improve your mental health: Volunteering can reduce stress, combat depression, and provide a sense of purpose.
Advance your career: Volunteering can help you gain new skills, build your resume, and network with professionals in your field.
Learn new skills: Volunteering can provide opportunities to learn new skills or develop existing ones.
Make a positive impact on society: Volunteering allows you to contribute to society and make a positive impact on the world.
Gain confidence: Volunteering can help you build self-confidence and self-esteem.
Stay active: Volunteering can keep you physically active and healthy.
Try new experiences: Volunteering can expose you to new experiences and interests.
Give back to the community: Volunteering allows you to give back to the community and help those in need.
Develop empathy: Volunteering can help you develop empathy for others and understand different perspectives.
Increase happiness: Volunteering has been shown to increase happiness and life satisfaction.
Combat loneliness: Volunteering can help combat loneliness by providing opportunities for social interaction.
Improve your communication skills: Volunteering can help improve your communication skills by providing opportunities to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.
Gain a sense of purpose: Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.
Discover what brings you joy: Volunteering gives you an opportunity to explore different activities to help uncover your passions.
Develop leadership skills: Volunteering can provide opportunities to develop leadership skills by taking on responsibilities and managing projects.
Build teamwork skills: Volunteering can help build teamwork skills by working with others towards a common goal.
Gain perspective: Volunteering can provide perspective on life by exposing you to different cultures, lifestyles, and experiences.
Create lasting memories: Volunteering can create lasting memories and experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Have fun!: Finally, volunteering is a fun way to spend your time while making a difference in the world.