The City of Burien announced that it is inviting the public to mark Earth Week and Arbor Day 2025 with a series of free workshops, hands-on restoration projects and a renewed commitment to environmental justice and tree stewardship.

The annual celebration begins Saturday, April 19, 2025 with educational workshops at the Burien Community Center, and culminates Saturday, April 26 with community volunteer events at Miller Creek Trail and Hilltop Park.

“On April 22, 1970, approximately 20 million Americans took to the streets, college campuses, and city centers to protest environmental pollution and demand a new way forward for our planet,” the city said in a statement. “The first Earth Day was a response to communities in crisis; environmental disasters like oil spills and increasing air pollution were causing public health problems across the entire nation.”

Workshops Focus on Sustainable Living

On Saturday, April 19, residents can attend two free sessions at the Burien Community Center aimed at empowering everyday environmental action:

• Rainwater Harvesting (10–11:30 a.m.) teaches the basics of collecting rainwater and includes a take-home rain barrel.
• Reducing Food Waste (1–2 p.m.) explores food storage, label literacy and creative ways to use leftovers.

Volunteers are also encouraged to roll up their sleeves for two Earth Day restoration events on Saturday, April 26:

• Miller Creek Trail Restoration, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Hilltop Park Cleanup, 12–3 p.m.

RSVP to Participate

Both events require registration and offer opportunities to support Burien’s ecosystem through invasive species removal, native plantings and forest stewardship – RSVP via email to environment@burienwa.gov.

Celebrating Arbor Day and Burien’s Urban Forest Goals

Arbor Day, established in 1872, is also part of Burien’s spring programming. The city has earned recognition as a Tree City USA for 23 consecutive years, and is actively working to increase urban canopy coverage from 30% to 40% by 2038 under the Green Burien Urban Forest Stewardship Plan adopted in 2020.

“Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal; planting trees and stewarding Burien’s urban forest helps our community take steps toward environmental justice,” the city said.

In honoring both Earth Day and Arbor Day, Burien also acknowledges the relationship that the Coast Salish peoples—Burien’s original inhabitants—have had with the land and forests for generations.

Want to learn more?

Learn more about ways to get involved in helping protect Burien’s environment.