Posted on: Friday April 17, 2026
By Mike Jensen, Science Programs Specialist
Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day, a moment to appreciate the wondrous planet we call home. Earth supplies the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the ecosystems that support a mind-blowing diversity of life.
It’s easy to take these systems for granted because they quietly work behind the scenes every day. Forests and wetlands help clean our air and water, oceans and lakes support countless species, and the atmosphere protects life on Earth.
Spring is one of the best times to observe these systems in action. Here in Manitoba, the change in seasons is especially dramatic. The natural world comes alive after a long winter. Melting snow feeds streams and rivers that eventually flow into Lake Winnipeg. Migrating birds return North. Plants begin to grow again.
Earth Day is an opportunity to appreciate this renewal and reflect on how we can help care for the planet. The good news is that even slight actions can make a real difference.
Image: Enjoy the great outdoors! Curator of Botany Diana Bizecki Robson hikes – and gathers specimens – in a boreal bog. ©Manitoba Museum
Here are a few simple ways to celebrate Earth Day at home this Spring:
- Plant pollinator-friendly flowers or native plants.
- Pick up litter in a local park or along the river.
- Take shorter showers and turn off lights in empty rooms.
- Take a hike in a natural space near your community.
By learning more about our world and making thoughtful choices in our daily lives, each of us can help keep Earth happy for generations to come.
After all, when it comes to our home planet, every day is a good day to celebrate it.
Learn what it takes to keep our waterways healthy in the Science Gallery. ©Manitoba Museum/Rejean Brandt
Learn more about our world with fun hands-on activities. ©Manitoba Museum
You can also celebrate Earth Days at the Manitoba Museum on April 18 and 19! Explore the Museum Galleries on an Earth Day scavenger hunt. Become a Climate Hero at our Ocean Adventure workshop in the Science Gallery. And take in one of three Planetarium shows, all showcasing our planet.
