Earth Day 2026
By Wendy Kirk – Special to SUNonline/Orillia
Sustainable Orillia will partner with the Couchiching Conservancy and Lakehead University to host an Earth Day gathering of local organizations, businesses, and service clubs.
The event highlights the potential for local connections and collective actions to support a healthy and resilient environment for the long term. A nature documentary film with regional significance will be shown, followed by a discussion led by Mark Bisset.
Many events around the world will share similar goals on Earth Day 2026: to engage, inform, inspire and encourage the earth’s human inhabitants to recognize earth’s life-sustaining gifts and accept our responsibility to protect and heal our global home.
Earth Day 2026 is expected to attract more than one billion participants from more than 190 countries, promoting environmental awareness and action. Nations, cities and small communities around the world will focus on the urgent need to address pollution, deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss.
The United Nations recognizes April 22 as International Mother Earth Day. Cards and floral arrangements are not needed, but consideration, respect and care are certainly appropriate.
In keeping with Canada’s Earth Day 2026 theme, Conscious Consumption, Orillia’s event will also draw attention to reducing wasteful consumption and promoting food sovereignty.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (4 to 8 p.m.)
Location: Lakehead University, Orillia Campus
4–6 p.m. Exhibits and Activities
- community-partner booths: conservation and services
- Indigenous Garden tour
- herb‑planter workshop
- games and seed planting for children
- vegetable- and flower-seed giveaway
- plant-based diet: recipes and resources
- complimentary refreshments
6:00–8:00 PM Documentary Film and Discussion
- WorkCabin Films documentary Saving the Night Caller, followed by a conversation on local conservation and community action led by Mark Bisset, former executive director of the Couchiching Conservancy.
Due to limited seating, registration is required. The event fee is $10, but entrance is free to members of Couchiching Conservancy and Sustainable Orillia, and children.
Orillia Public Transit will be free this day! Join us to celebrate, learn and meet others in your community who share your interests.
(Images Supplied)
