Nature is Your Neighbor - Earth Day Graphic

Each spring, the City of Montrose sponsors and coordinates a full schedule of Earth Week activities. This is done to raise awareness about how each community member can help preserve a healthy environment for themselves and future generations. The theme for the 2023 celebration is "Naturally Montrose."

The City of Montrose has a full schedule of Earth Week activities to involve the community in the annual celebration from April 21 through April 28 as listed below.

Schedule of City-Sponsored Events & Activities

Friday, April 21: K-5 Coloring Contest and Art Contest Opens

The City of Montrose, Shavano Conservation District, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will present the 17th annual Earth Day Coloring Contest. Participants have the opportunity to win Montrose Bucks and Montrose swag! The lucky winners will be announced in May with a display advertisement in the Montrose Daily Press for all to see!

Download the Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Coloring Sheet
Download the 3rd Grade - 5th Grade Coloring Sheet

The NRCS Earth Team utilizes volunteer time, talent, and energy to help accomplish the NRCS mission of assisting people in supporting the land. Through local farmer and rancher boards, the Shavano Conservation District serves as grassroots leadership to the NRCS.

Friday, April 21: Made In Montrose

In an effort to increase awareness of all the things Made in Montrose, the city will promote and celebrate all the environmentally friendly movers and shakers right here in Montrose. 

Saturday, April 22: Our Agriculture

Residents are encouraged to visit a local farm and meet the makers of their food by visiting the local Farmer’s Market downtown at Centennial Plaza. By keeping your food dollars local, you’re getting a fresher product packed full of flavor and nutrients and, more importantly, you’re cutting out all the energy and pollution used to truck that food to Denver and back.  

Sunday, April 23: No Trace

Warmer spring weather provides an opportunity to get out into our wild lands. Citizens are encouraged and invited to learn about the “Leave no Trace” environmental ethic, especially since the pandemic lured unprecedented numbers of folks into the backcountry. Explore the many reasons that leaving your mark is overrated.    

Monday, April 24: Turn off and Conserve 

Being in the high desert of Colorado, the City of Montrose has several programs designed to help its citizens conserve water. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the Aquahawk app and learn all the ways in which they can help make sure all our downstream neighbors get their share of clean water. This free online service allows all city water customers to monitor their own water usage, set and receive alerts, and access tools to control monthly water bills. Customers interested in using the portal must register to create a new account.

Tuesday, April 25:  Recycling 101

The city’s recycling crew and a group of volunteers, Montrose Recycles, partner up to do a presentation with a local third-grade class to encourage recycling. Recycling Tips of the Month will be featured on Facebook and Instagram to educate about proper recycling as well as some tips and tricks on composting. 

Wednesday, April 26: Our Rivers Matter

4:00 pm at Riverbottom Park, City Engineer Scott Murphy will present a history of the Uncompahgre River restoration project and all the ways citizens can get involved in supporting groups that focus on this work.   

Thursday, April 27: Streets and Trails Cleanup

Litter harms plants and animals but it’s a problem that can be controlled by investing time in our planet by signing up to adopt a trail! There’s no cost to participate, all supplies are provided, and participants are recognized for their efforts with a sign featuring their names. To sign up, visit the Adopt-a-Trail program webpage or call 970.240.1480.

Friday, April 28 - Environmental Encouragement

Each year, the City of Montrose Parks Department plants a tree to celebrate Arbor Day and to boost our index of right-of-way trees. Montrose has earned recognition as a Tree City USA from the Arbor Day Foundation for the city's commitment to effective urban forest management. The city shares the video presentation of the annual Buckley Park tree-planting ceremony on Facebook or Instagram. 

Also, citizens are encouraged to rent a plot at the Niagara Community Garden - not only to help the environment but also to help offset the rising cost of food! 

Self-Guided Earth Week Activities  

Some suggested ideas for self-guided Earth Week activities included:

  • Going on a nature scavenger hunt. Make a list of common trees, plants, and animals in Montrose, then take a walk and find them. Hint: Many of these can be found in our city parks!
  • Taking a hike through your neighborhood equipped with gloves and pick up trash that collects along the roads and sidewalks.
  • Saving electricity.  After the sun goes down, turn off the lights, play hide-and-seek in the dark or grab a flashlight and share stories. 
  • Saving the air by staying home on Earth Day; or planning to walk or ride a bike and leaving the car behind. 
  • Slathering a few pinecones with peanut butter and rolling them in birdseed for a bird-sized snack to hang on trees.
  • Planting an herb garden or a fruit tree to share the fruits of Earth Day labor for many meals to come. What a perfect opportunity to teach children about the importance of trees and plants and their role in keeping our air clean while providing sustenance.
  • Turning off the TV and saving energy! Instead, curling up together and reading a favorite book about the Earth and our environment.
  • Building a compost bin to reduce the amount of trash and to make feeding plants more affordable and efficient.

2023 Coloring Contest Winners

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