Lincoln Park Zoo Celebrates Earth Week: Backlot Coffee Partnership, Chicago Public Library Story Time, Arboretum Tour, and More

Chicago (April 21, 2025) – Celebrate Earth Week at Lincoln Park Zoo with a full line-up of events, activities, and partnerships on grounds and out in our City in a Garden. Kicking things off, the zoo is partnering with Backlot Coffee all week long. Inspired by urban wildlife and the flying squirrels caught on camera traps by the Urban Wildlife Institute, $2 from every bag purchased in store and online of Backlot’s Flying Squirrel blend coffee will go back to Lincoln Park Zoo. This is a great way for wildlife lovers to support the zoo and a fantastic Chicago coffee shop in one fell swoop!

FREE activities during Earth Week

Tuesday, April 22: Earth Day

• 10 a.m.—noon: Learning Table Activities
• 10 a.m.—1 p.m.: Horticulture Activity Table and Seed Packet Giveaway
• 10 a.m.—1 p.m.: Self-guided Virtual Tours of Rain Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, and More!
• 11 a.m.—noon: Ask a Scientist: Urban Wildlife Institute

Wednesday, April 23: Story Time with Chicago Public Library

• 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: Destination Discovery Story Time with Chicago Public Library – Librarian Megan and her friends at the Lincoln Park Zoo celebrate their favorite planet: Earth! They’ll share songs, rhymes, and books, then offer suggestions for at-home activities in honor of Earth Week. Learn More.

Thursday, April 24: Small Steps, Big Impact

• 11 a.m.–noon: Choose Sustainable Palm Oil Cart – guests can stop by the rolling cart to learn about the importance of choosing foods and household products that use sustainably sourced palm oil.

Friday, April 25: Arbor Day

• 10 a.m.–noon: Nature Activities – Learn about trees and their leaves, along with how to support healthy forests, through a leaf memory match game
• 10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Oak Tree Cookie Table Demonstration and Stories with horticulturalist Emily!
• Noon: Free Arboretum Tour with zoo experts

Saturday, April 26: City Nature Challenge at McKinley Park

Teens from Lincoln Park Zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board will host an afternoon of urban nature and wildlife at McKinley Park, plus a friendly competition for Chicago in the 2025 City Nature Challenge. Guests can take part in free activities like:

• Identifying wildlife and nature
• Playing wildlife and nature bingo
• Journaling about nature
• Getting a chance to win fun prizes
• …and more!

Registration is available here.

Sunday, April 27: City Nature Challenge at Nature Boardwalk

Teens from Lincoln Park Zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board will host a day of urban nature and wildlife at Nature Boardwalk, plus a friendly competition for Chicago in the 2025 City Nature Challenge. Guests can part in free activities like:

• Identifying wildlife and nature
• Playing wildlife and nature bingo
• Engaging with art stations
• Taking part in a scavenger hunt
• Getting a chance to win fun prizes
• …and more!

Registration is available here.

For more information, visit lpzoo.org/earthweek

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.