Calendar of Global Environmental Events Plus Year-Round Volunteer Opportunities

Calendar of Environmental Events

January

• Arbor Day celebrations - held annually throughout the year (date determined by the best tree planting times in each country/state) to celebrate the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees.
• Clean Up the World (UN supported) - held annually throughout the year (and also annually on the third weekend in September) to bring together people worldwide to clean up and care for their communities.
• International Day of Education (UN) - held every January 24th to recognize the importance of working to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

February

• World Wetlands Day (UN) - held every February 2nd to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and planet.
• World Day of Social Justice (UN) - held every February 20th to promote gender equality, indigenous peoples and migrants' rights.
• World Spay Day - held annually on the fourth Tuesday in February to promote spaying or neutering of our pets and feral cats.

March

• World Wildlife Day (UN) - held every March 3rd to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.
• International Women's Day - held every March 8th to celebrate women's achievements and promote gender parity.
• Global Recycling Day - held every March 18th to promote increased recycling and reuse of materials.
• Meatout Day - held every March 20th to promote a vegan diet.
• World Frog Day - held every March 20th to increase awareness of the plight of threatened frog species around the world.
• International Day of Forests (UN) - held every March 21st to celebrate the ways in which forests and trees sustain and protect us.
• World Water Day (UN) - held every March 22nd to celebrate and protect water and raise awareness of the 2 billion+ people living without access to safe water.
• World Meteorological Day (UN) - held every March 23rd to raise awareness about climate change.
• Earth Hour - held annually on the last Saturday in March to show symbolic support for the planet and raise awareness of the environmental issues affecting it. Businesses and residents are invited to turn off their lights for one hour (from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 PM local time) and spend 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.

April

• Earth Day - held every April 22nd in the United States and on either April 22nd or the day the spring equinox occurs throughout the rest of the world. Everyone is invited to volunteer to help protect and restore our planet. Here's ideas for celebrating Earth Day in your neighborhood.
• International Mother Earth Day (UN) - held every April 22nd to focus on the responsibility to rebuild our troubled relationship with nature.
• Save the Frogs Day - held every April 28th to provide frog enthusiasts with educational materials, ideas and inspiration and empower them to educate their local communities about amphibians.

May

• National Bike Month - (U.S. event) held annually throughout the month of May to celebrate biking as a means of transportation, recreation, and an essential component of our well-being and daily lives.
• Screen-Free Week - held annually during the first week in May to celebrate taking a break from entertainment screens and experiencing more peace, connection, and fun!
• World Fair Trade Day - held annually on the second Saturday in May to shine a spotlight on the transformative power of the Fair Trade business model and its positive impact on people’s lives and communities.
• World Migratory Bird Day (UN) - held annually on the second Saturday in May (and October) to increase awareness about the threats – both general and specific – that birds are facing.
• World Bee Day (UN) - held every May 20th to increase awareness of the importance of bees and to strengthen collaborative efforts to protect them.
• World Fish Migration Day - held every alternate year around May 21st to create awareness of the importance of protecting open rivers and migratory fish.
• International Day for Biological Diversity (UN) - held every May 22nd to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
• World Turtle Day - held every May 23rd to celebrate turtles and tortoises and to encourage protection and restoration of their disappearing habitats.

June

• National Trails Day - (U.S. event) held annually on the first Saturday in June to promote, maintain, and clean up public lands and trails.
• World Bicycle Day (UN) - held every June 3rd to draw attention to the advantages of using the bicycle as a simple, affordable, clean, and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation.
• World Environment Day (UN) - held every June 5th to put a global spotlight on the pressing environmental challenges of our times.
• World Ocean Day - held every June 8th to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world's population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.
• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (UN) - held every June 17th to raise awareness of efforts to combat desertification and the effects of drought.
• World Rainforest Day - held every June 22nd to raise awareness and encourage actions to protect and preserve rainforests from deforestation and the effects of climate change.
• International Day of the Tropics (UN) - held every June 29th to celebrate the extraordinary diversity of the tropics while highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities for nations of the tropics.

July

• World Population Day (UN) - held every July 11th to raise global awareness about current population trends affecting the world.

August

• International Day of the World's Indigenous People (UN) - held every August 9th to raise awareness about the needs of the world's indigenous people.
• International Youth Day (UN) - held every August 12th to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.
• International Day Against Nuclear Tests (UN) - held every August 29th to foster a global environment that strongly advocates for a world free of nuclear weapons.
• International Bat Night - held annually on the last full weekend in August to raise awareness about the needs and benefits of bats.

September

• International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (UN) - held every September 7th to raise awareness and mobilize global action to address air pollution.
• International Literacy Day (UN) - held every September 8th to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.
• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (UN) - held every September 16th to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol and to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the protective ozone layer.
• International Coastal Cleanup Day - held annually on the third Saturday in September to form events around cleaning up coastal areas (or inland trash that would otherwise flow via rivers to the ocean).
• Clean Up the World (UN supported) - held annually on the third weekend in September to bring together people worldwide to clean up and care for their communities.
• International Day of Peace (UN) - held every September 21st to provide a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.
• International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (UN) - held every September 26th to provide an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a priority.
• World Rivers Day - held annually on the fourth Sunday in September to highlight the many values of rivers and encourage the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world.

October

• World Habitat Day (UN) - held annually on the first Monday in October to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
• World Day for Farmed Animals (or World Farmed Animals Day) - held every October 2nd (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday) to raise awareness about the plight of farmed animals, educate the public on their conditions, and commemorate those who have suffered.
• World Animal Day - held every October 4th to raise the status of animals and improve animal welfare standards around the globe.
• National Tour of Solar Homes and Businesses - (U.S. and Canadian events) held annually in early October to promote renewable energy awareness and increase the adoption of solar energy.
• International Walk to School Day - held annually on the first Wednesday in October to promote walking to school safely. In some locations it is celebrated all month.
• International E-Waste Day - held every October 14th to highlight the growing issue of electronic waste and promote responsible e-waste management.
• World Migratory Bird Day (UN) - held annually on the second Saturday in October (and May) to increase awareness about the threats – both general and specific – that birds are facing.
• World Food Day (UN) - held every October 16th to raise awareness of the issues surrounding poverty and hunger.

November

• World Vegan Month - held annually throughout the month of November to raise awareness around veganism and living plant-based.
• International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (UN) - held every November 6th to raise awareness of the consequences that war and conflict have on the environment.
• Buy Nothing Day - (U.S. event) held annually on the day after Thanksgiving to counteract the madness of holiday shopping by encouraging a mindful and environmentally friendly attitude toward post-feast purchasing.

December

• International Volunteer Day (UN) - held every December 5th to offer a chance for individual volunteers, communities and organizations to promote their contributions to development at the local, national and international levels.
• World Soil Day (UN) - held every December 5th to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.
• Human Rights Day (UN)- held every December 10th to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
• International Mountain Day (UN) - held every December 11th to encourage the protection and sustainability of mountains.

Year-Round 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.
• So You Want to Work in Climate: Resources - long list of volunteer opportunities for addressing climate change (scroll to the right to 'Volunteer' column)