Earth Day, officially observed on April 22, will be celebrated across Windsor-Essex this coming weekend with a series of tree plantings and environmental activities. The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) is hosting its annual ENWIN Earth Day Tree Planting Celebration on Sunday morning along the Ganatchio Trail in east Windsor. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with volunteers expected to plant more than 2,100 trees. This initiative, now in its 27th year, has added nearly 40,000 trees across the city.
Danielle Breault Stuebing, director of communications and outreach services at ERCA, expressed gratitude to ENWIN for its long-standing support. “We are so grateful to ENWIN, which has supported this event for many years and has now made a three-year commitment as its title sponsor to ensure the Windsor-Essex community can continue to plant trees for years to come,” she said in a news release. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m., followed by the tree planting. Participants are encouraged to bring their own shovels if possible, though a limited number will be available on site. Parking is available at Riverside Kiwanis Park, McHugh Park, and public lots along Riverside Drive East, with access to the site via the Ganatchio Trail system.
At Malden Park, the City of Windsor’s Earth Day Windsor-Essex celebration returns Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4200 Malden Rd. This free, family-friendly event features more than 50 environmental booths, interactive exhibits, live performances, arts and crafts, games, and food vendors. Highlights include a clothing and book swap, bird of prey demonstrations, children’s planting and craft activities, a bike rodeo, and free bike valet service. Displays of municipal waste management vehicles will also be on site. The event is promoted as zero-waste, with composting and recycling stations provided by the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority.
Organizers encourage attendees to walk, bike, carpool, or use Transit Windsor Route 240, and to bring reusable water bottles and bags. City officials say the event highlights local environmental initiatives such as tree planting, naturalization projects, community gardens, and water stewardship programs. Mayor Drew Dilkens remarked, “This year’s theme — ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ — reminds us that real change begins at the local level — with leadership, strategic partnerships, responsible investments, and everyday choices that shape a stronger city for all.”
In Amherstburg, Earth Day programming includes two initiatives on Saturday focused on expanding the town’s tree canopy and promoting sustainability. The “Map and Grow” program, in partnership with the University of Windsor, will provide residents with free trees while contributing to environmental research. Researchers will later visit participating properties to map tree locations using GPS and monitor growth over time.
