BERWYN, PA (Abril 16, 2025) – Chester County’s third annual Earth Day Festival features a variety of family-friendly activities on Sábado, Abril 26 – thanks to the efforts of State Senator Carolyn Comitta and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. All in the community are invited to enjoy a day of fun at the Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) in celebration of Earth Day.
Hosted on the 54-acre campus of UMLY, the festival includes a variety of free activities from 10 am to 1 pm such as canoeing, tree-planting, woodworking and much more. The event concludes with a keynote presentation from renown author, entomologist and University of Delaware professor, Dr. Doug Tallamy. Guests should register to attend Tallamy’s keynote, which will be held from 1:30 – 2:30 PM and costs $10 per person.
Committing to a Bright Future
“The Earth Day Festival is a tradition in Chester County. It’s an event that I, along with so many children, families, and organizations, look forward to each year,” shares State Senator Carolyn Comitta. “I ran for office to secure a cleaner, brighter future for all Pennsylvanians – and being good stewards of our natural resources is a big part of fulfilling that promise. I am proud to join team YGBW again this year – and hope you will join us for a fun and meaningful event.”
Comitta serves as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Climate Caucus and is the minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. She is dedicated to protecting our land, air, and water throughout Chester County. “We are grateful to have support from Senator Comitta as we understand that ensuring the health of our environment is key to building a strong, healthy community where all can thrive,” says Brian Raicich, Executive Director of UMLY. “And we are especially proud to host this important event on our 54-acre campus, which includes an Environmental & STEM Education Complex, farm animals, nature trails, the headwaters of Darby Creek and Pennsylvania’s first conservation easement.” Shreiner Tree Care serves as the title sponsor for the event and has served as the arborist for UMLY’s campus and Cassatt Preserve for more than 30 years. The team from Shreiner will be leading tree-planting during the festival. Guests are encouraged to bring a shovel and join in.
In addition to tree-planting, the event will feature more than 30 vendors who are committed to ensuring a sustainable future in Chester County, including the Department of Environmental Protection, regional non-profits such as Natural Lands, French & Pickering Creek Trust, and Brandywine Conservancy, and local businesses such as Mother Compost and Green Mountain Energy.
Biodiversity in your Own Backyard with Dr. Doug Tallamy
Renown author, entomologist and University of Delaware professor, Dr. Doug Tallamy, closes out the Earth Day Festival with a keynote presentation from 1:30 – 2:30 PM. In his talk, “Homegrown National Parks” Tallamy discusses how you can increase biodiversity with simple changes to what you plant in your yard. Tallamy is widely recognized for his groundbreaking research and as the author of several influential books, including “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard” and “Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens”. In addition to his academic and literary contributions, Tallamy is co-founder of the Homegrown National Park initiative. He inspires all to take part in conservation efforts and champions practical approaches to restore biodiversity and combat the decline of native wildlife populations.
Healthy Kids Need a Healthy Home
Chester County’s Earth Day Festival will be held in conjunction with the YMCA’s national Healthy Kids Day event which inspires kids and families to focus on healthy habits throughout the summer and beyond. Together, the events highlight the connection between environmental health and public health, encouraging habits such as enjoying and exploring nature, spending time away from devices and connecting with family and friends.
Both events are open to the community and free to attend. Activities include bird-house building, canoeing, art, tree-planting, stream studies, face painting and live music performed by the Itchy Dog Singers.
To learn more about the Earth Day Festival: https://ymcagbw.org/events/community-events/upper-main-line-ymca/chester-county-earth-day-festival
To register for Dr. Tallamy’s Presentation: https://ymcagbw.org/events/homegrown-national-park
To learn more about Senator Comitta’s Work in the Pennsylvania Legislature: https://www.pasenatorcomitta.com
To learn more about Environmental Education at YGBW: https://ymcagbw.org/nature-and-environmental-education-programs-ymca
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