Earth Day activities across the USA

Nancy Trejos | USA TODAY

Earth Day is approaching this weekend and plenty of hotels and destinations are offering outdoor activities and volunteer opportunities.

Here are a few taking place throughout the nation:

Saturday, April 21 marks the start of National Parks Week, and is also one of this year's fee-free days at national parks. Many parks have Earth Day themed activities throughout the weekend, check your park's website for a complete calendar.

In Washington, D.C., you can register to help clean up the Anacostia River, a vital watershed for the Chesapeake Bay region. Local restaurants and businesses will offer discounts to participants wearing special t-shirts from the cleanup.

Arlo SoHo in New York City will have Spring Fest at Camp Arlo with Earth Day activities tonight until 7 p.m. and April 21 from 12 to 7 p.m. A portion of event proceeds will go to Plastic Oceans Foundation, which raises awareness on how harmful plastic pollution is to the earth’s water systems. Arlo is working with Plastic Oceans to reduce the amount of plastic found throughout the hotel. The hotel does not have in-room plastic water bottles as amenities, and uses refillable shampoo, conditioner and body wash containers instead of offering mini amenities that get thrown out after every stay. Activities will include an Earth Day pop-up with local vendors, musical acts, art classes, wellness treatments, and educational lectures.

The newly renovated and eco-friendly Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua resort is inviting guests and locals to participate in various Earth Day initiatives and activities taking place this Sunday, April 22, and beyond. The resort has been recognized as a Hawaii Certified Green business. On Earth Day, volunteers are encouraged to help the resort revamp the on-property organic garden, replanting it with a variety of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The garden compost will come from hotel kitchen waste. The garden also serves as a learning center to guests, schools, and the public. The property is one of four Ritz-Carltons to have an exclusive partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Future Society. It includes a dedicated “Ambassadors of the Environment” program for its guests. The Ambassadors of the Environment activities will be available throughout the week of Earth Day.

On April 20 the Rainforest and Aquarium at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Tex., is celebrating its re-accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums with a free Audubon Society presentation and the film “The Lost Bird Project.” The program will go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the MG 3D Theater. The film features artist Todd McGrain’s creation of bronze sculptures of five extinct bird species. Guests can enjoy a buffet dinner from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Garden Restaurant for $16.95 for adults, $13.95 for seniors and $7.95 for children ages 5 to 12.

On April 23, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will be able to to learn how they can reduce their environmental impact. “More than 10 participating groups, from airlines and airport concessions to Keep Austin Beautiful and Texas Disposal Systems, will have information booths set up throughout the Barbara Jordan Terminal from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” the airport says.

Delaware North, one of the largest privately held hospitality and food service companies in the world, has committed to reduce plastic waste by scaling back its use of straws at the company’s 200-plus dining locations at 23 airports and travel hubs across the USA. “The Last Straw” campaign aims to curb excess plastic waste by offering drinking straws on a request-only basis. The launch date is April 22. Last year, the company served an estimated 8.1 million plastic drinking straws at airport dining locations.

Classic Harbor Line Boat Tours in New York will begin its spring cruise season on April 22 in honor of Earth Day. The Eco Schooner America 2.0 is an appropriate vessel as the "2.0" refers to the modern and eco-friendly nature of its construction materials and propulsion system. On Earth Day, each guest will receive a free green tote bag.

The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino is the first hotel in the Caribbean and within the Sheraton brand worldwide to receive LEED certification. The hotel’s Make a Green Choice (MAGC) sustainability program lets visitors help reduce their environment footprint. Guests can Make a Green Choice by forgoing full housekeeping for up to three days in a row. For each night, a guest who opts for MAGC will receive 250 Starpoints or a $5 food a beverage voucher to use towards a meal in one of the restaurants or shops. To participate in the MAGC program, guests have to notify staff at check-in or look for the guestroom door hanger.