NASHVILLE, TN – (March 23, 2023) – Centennial Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and enhancing Centennial Park and the Parthenon and providing accessible and expansive cultural programming for the city of Nashville, announced today that Nashville Earth Day, the city’s only official annual event to celebrate Earth Day, will return to Centennial Park Bandshell on Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Presented in partnership with Urban Green Lab and sustained by Amazon, Nissan, and HCA Healthcare Foundation, this free family-friendly event brings the Nashville community together to celebrate our planet, inspire positive environmental change, and support sustainable small businesses and nonprofits. Nashville Earth Day will feature engaging and educational activities from more than 75 exhibitors and vendors, including local growers and makers, nonprofits, sustainable small businesses, and state/metro government agencies. 

The event will also include free live music, engaging Kidsville activities for all ages, and local food vendors. New this year is the addition of the EarthTalks Tent, which will feature a diverse lineup of experts providing information about interacting with nature and accessible, actionable sustainable living tips for attendees to apply in their own living spaces, whether it’s a house with a yard or an apartment.

“Centennial Park Conservancy is honored to host Nashville Earth Day at the park once again,” says Justin Branam, Vice President of Programming for Centennial Park Conservancy. “This year’s event promises to be the best yet. We’re so grateful to our partner Urban Green Lab for bringing their sustainability expertise to the event, not only to provide practical and helpful tips for attendees but to also help eliminate event waste. Between our fantastic lineup of speakers, on-site exhibitors and vendors, live music, and Kidsville activities, there’s truly something for everyone at this year’s Earth Day celebration.” 

“There’s never been a more important time to celebrate our earth and explore how Nashvillians can make a positive impact,” says Urban Green Lab Executive Director Todd Lawrence. “Urban Green Lab is proud to partner with the Centennial Park Conservancy and help spark more conversation about how to achieve our sustainability goals as a city and a planet." 

“Every day is Earth Day at Metro Parks, and we hope others will embrace that concept too! Sustainability and resilience are cornerstones of the department’s mission to provide everyone in the city with an inviting network of parks and greenways. The celebration of Earth Day in Centennial Park helps us emphasize the importance of protecting our natural resources, not just for us, but for future generations as well. Now more than ever, it’s critical that we increase efforts in the areas of conservation, sustainability, and protection for this planet we call Earth,” said Metro Parks Director Monique Horton Odom.

Nashville Earth Day Highlights Include:

• The EarthTalks Tent made possible by EarthMix Garden Products will feature a diverse lineup of local experts speaking on a variety of environmental issues, including natural burial, sustainable cooking, gardening, recycling, and herbalism. 

• Live Music will be presented throughout the day with performances by local artists, including Lera Lynn, Kyshona, Phillip-Michael Scales, Gustavo Moradel, Ellisa Sun, and Stacey Kelleher.

• Kidsville activities include a Nashville Earth Day passport sketchbook for kids to get stamped at select booths, as well as a nature sculpture area to spark imagination and creativity. Plus, kids are invited to take a Storybook Walk on the Centennial Park Walking Trail around Lake Watauga and explore the pages of the book Rabbits and Raindrops, written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky.

• EV Car Show powered by Nissan, BMW of Nashville, and Drive Electric Nashville. The show will provide Nashvillians with a hands-on experience to learn about a variety of Electric Vehicles on the market and speak with EV owners. 

• The Kidsville Earth Day Parade will take place from 3:30 to 3:55 p.m. Led by Metro’s Sustainability Mascot, Socket, the parade will allow kids to use recycled supplies (available all day at the Kidsville area) to create props or costume pieces that tell about their favorite plants, creatures, and other wonders of the earth.

• Nashville Tree Foundation with sponsorship from Amazon will be onsite distributing 500 trees to event attendees on a first come first serve basis.

• In addition to being a presenting sponsor, WM will be collaborating on growing sustainability efforts for Earth Day through coordinating with vendors on material management, leading a team of volunteer Rubbish Wranglers to ensure compostable, recyclable materials, and trash are all diverted to the correct space, as well as providing a post-event sustainability report tracking diversion. 

• Small World Yoga will offer a complimentary 45-minute class from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in front of the event stage. Space is limited. 

• Turnip Green Creative Reuse will host the Reuse Village and provide free crafts and Creativity Kits for festival-goers, with all craft materials diverted from the landfill. Patrons can participate in hands-on projects, or take them on the go! 

• Growers & Makers Market will provide opportunities to shop local for recycled, reused, up-cycled, and natural products from sustainable small businesses.

• Nonprofits and Government Agencies will provide education and inspiration for sustainable living and positive environmental change.

• Food will be offered by a variety of local food trucks and vendors, including Bongo Java, Bondi Bowls, Paninis and More, Moosic City Ice Cream, and Retro Sno.

• Craft Beer will be available for patrons 21 and older.

EVENT TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

Nashville Earth Day attendees are encouraged to walk or bike to the event and take advantage of free bike valet parking provided by Walk/Bike Nashville. Attendees can also take the bus to Centennial Park via Metro Transit Authority from West End, Charlotte or University Connector. Free limited parking is available in and around Centennial Park. 

VOLUNTEER AT THE NASHVILLE EARTH DAY EVENT

Nashville Earth Day is made possible by the many generous individuals who volunteer their time to present this free event for our community. To sign up, volunteers may contact Centennial Park Conservancy at www.nashvilleearthday.org. 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS FUNDED BY NASHVILLE EARTH DAY

Nashville Earth Day strives to create positive environmental change in our city. Since 2020, event proceeds have been donated to support environmental projects across Nashville. Thanks to the generosity of corporate and foundation partners, several additional projects were underwritten last year including:

• Planting 60 trees at Carter Lawrence Elementary in Edgehill, Dudley Park in Napier, and a streetscaping project in North Nashville, in partnership with Nashville Tree Foundation

• Providing annual care for 160,000 bees that reside in hives located in Centennial Park in Midtown Nashville, in partnership with Nashville Area Beekeepers Association

• Underwriting the Sustainable Classrooms program to train 24 teachers who will educate 2,400 MNPS children on the importance of sustainable living, in partnership with Urban Green Lab

• Gave away 1250 trees to help restore Nashville's urban canopy, in partnership with The Nashville Tree Foundation

You can learn more at nashvilleearthday.org/environmental-projects. 

NASHVILLE EARTH DAY 2023 PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Centennial Park Conservancy presents Nashville Earth Day in partnership with Urban Green Lab. The program is sustained by Amazon, Nissan, and HCA Healthcare Foundation, and sponsored in part by Kroger and WM. Nashville Earth Day is organized by Centennial Park Conservancy, with support from Metro Parks. The program is made possible with support from the following socially responsible organizations who share our mutual respect and concern for the environment and desire to inspire positive environmental change in our city.

Sustaining Partners:

Amazon • Nissan • HCA Healthcare Foundation  

Presenting Sponsors:

Kroger • WM • Sandra Schatten Foundation

Supporting Sponsors:

Republic Services •  Nashville Parks Foundation • First Horizon Foundation • BMW of Nashville

Media Partners:

Lamar Advertising Company • Lightning 100 WRLT • Nashville Scene • The Nashvillian
The Tennessee Tribune • 92Q WQQK • WSMV 4 

Event Management Partners:
Centennial Park Conservancy • Metro Parks • Urban Green Lab  

In-Kind Sponsors: 6th Man Movers

About Nashville Earth Day:

Nashville Earth Day is the city’s official annual event to celebrate Earth Day. The free family event takes place in Centennial Park every April and brings the Nashville community together to celebrate our planet and inspire positive environmental change. The event is organized by Centennial Park Conservancy with participation from local community groups, environmental organizations, and state/metro agencies that collectively strive to educate Nashvillians about protecting our environment.

For more information, please visit https://www.nashvilleearthday.org/.

About Centennial Park Conservancy

Centennial Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve, enhance, and share the Parthenon and Centennial Park so all future generations may benefit from these cultural and enriching landmarks. The organization works in partnership with Metro Parks to protect and revitalize the Park’s green space, underwrite the Parthenon’s exhibition and educational programs, and present accessible and inclusive community programming to sustain the Park’s vibrancy. Visit www.conservancyonline.com.