On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Grand Canyon National Park will celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day with demonstrations, games, information on local and national environmental initiatives, and much more. All Earth Day activities are free of charge and will take place at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center near Mather Point between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

There will also be a special showing of the film Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time on Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center theatre. This film explores the life and legacy of famed conservationist Aldo Leopold and the many ways in which his land ethic and philosophy shaped conservation and the modern environmental movement.

Visitors to the park during Earth Day weekend are encouraged to watch for restaurant specials, featuring local and/or sustainable ingredients. In addition, most retail outlets will be offering discounts on reusable water bottles to increase awareness about Grand Canyon’s new water bottle filling stations and their “reduce, reuse, refill” initiative.

Grand Canyon’s Earth Day festivities will kick off National Park Week in the park; and like national park units around the country, Grand Canyon will recognize National Park Week by waiving entrance fees April 21 – 29, 2012.
“America’s national parks have something for everyone,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “…and since admission is free to all 397 parks, all week long, National Park Week is a great time to get up, get out, and explore a park.”