Earth Day, the national day for environmental awareness and action, is set for Wednesday, April 22, with events starting Saturday throughout the region.

Here is a list of activities on and around Earth Day across Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties:

Androscoggin County

Life Forest Whistle Ridge: Second Annual Vernal Discovery and Exploration

On Saturday, April 18, Life Forest Whistle Ridge, 589 Trapp Road, Auburn, will host a guided discovery session led by Dr. Jeff Parmelee, evolutionary biologist and ecologist at the University of Maine and Maine Big Night board member.

From 10 a.m. to noon, participants will explore vernal pools around Life Forest Whistle Ridge, learning about the importance of their habitats and why amphibians depend on them. Participants will also conduct a survey to determine the presence of wood frogs.

Life Forest Whistle Ridge is recommending participants bring waterproof boats and weather-appropriate clothing. For more information, see Life Forest Whistle Ridge on Facebook.

Gather to Grow: Earth Day Garden Work Party

On Wednesday, April 22, between 8 a.m. and 5:45 p.m., members of Gather to Grow will be in community gardens across Lewiston and Auburn to help get them ready for the season. The event is free, and participants can help out at whatever gardens they like for as long as they like. There will be lunch at Gather to Grow at 208 Bates St. at 1 p.m.

Here is the schedule for Gather to Grow and where they will be on Earth Day:

• 8-10:30 a.m.: Newbury Street garden (88 Newbury St., Auburn)
• 11-11:45 a.m.: Webster Street garden (61 Webster St., Auburn)
• Noon-1 p.m.: Gathering Garden (208 Bates St., Lewiston)
• 1 p.m.: Lunch at Gather to Grow (208 Bates St.)
• 2-2:45 p.m.: Pine Street garden (corner of Pine and Howe, Lewiston)
• 2:45-3:30 p.m.: Whitney Street garden (115 Whitney St., Auburn)
• 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.: Heart & Soil garden (80 Birch St., Lewiston)
• 4-4:45 p.m.: Blake Street garden (243 Blake St., Lewiston)
• 5-5:45 p.m.: Knox Street garden (61 Knox St., Lewiston)

For more information visit gathertogrowmaine.org.

Auburn Public Library: Earth Day Coasters Take & Make

If you’re more of a crafty person, the Auburn Public Library may be up your alley. On Wednesday, April 22, from 2:30-5 p.m., anyone can stop at the library’s reference desk to pick up an Earth Day-themed coaster-making kit and an Earth Day zine, or a small handmade booklet/pamphlet.

For more information visit auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Wicked Illustrations Studio and Gallery: Earth Day Art Drop, Recycled Art Party, Paint and Sip! at Fast Breaks

Wicked Illustrations Studio and Gallery will hold Earth Day events all day Wednesday, April 22. There will be an Earth Day Art Drop throughout the day, where artists and students of the organization will hide artwork throughout Lewiston. If participants find one, take a picture and tag “Wicked Illustrations Studio and Gallery” on social media, their name will be entered in a raffle for a free month of art classes.

From 1-3 p.m., there will be an Earth Day Recycle Art Party at the gallery at 140 Canal St. Participants will make art from trash the organization has been saving. At its three stations, there will be a bird-making and painting station with toilet paper rolls, as well as a tin treasure making area and glass painting area.

From 6-8 p.m., Wicked Illustrations Studio and Gallery will be at Fast Breaks at 1465 Lisbon St. in Lewiston for a fun night. Participants will painting birdhouses to take home and learn about different techniques of painting.

To participate, contact Wicked Illustrations Studio and Gallery.

Oxford County

Maine Audubon Society: Maine Birds Community Engagement

At Ludden Memorial Library in Dixfield, at 42 Main St., on Wednesday, April 22, Maine Audubon naturalists and educators will share information about Maine’s birds and how they can be observed in communities. Participants will also be able to take part in activities to learn more about birds, including Maine Audubon Society’s touch table, bird illustrations and learning how to use binoculars.

The event will be from 2-3:30 p.m. and is free to the public. More information on the event can be found at maineaudubon.org.

Downtown Norway Earth Day Cleanup

If you’re looking to get your hands dirty, then the Downtown Norway Earth Day Cleanup may be your thing. Norway Downtown, a nonprofit organization that looks to protect and preserve Main Street in Norway, will work with Norway Parks and Recreation to clean up the town.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and run to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, with volunteers meeting at Longley Square and formed into teams.

For more information, call the Norway Parks and Recreation Department at 207-739-7050.

Maine River Guardians: Third Annual Oxford Hills Cleanup

The Maine River Guardians will hold its third annual Oxford Hills cleanup on Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The River Guardians is a nonprofit organization that helps bring communities together to keep rivers, trails and waterways clean and healthy.

The cleanup will begin at Norway Brewing Co. at 10 a.m. with teams cleaning up all over Oxford Hills. More information on the event can be found on the Maine River Guardians’ Facebook page

Alan Day Community Garden Cleanup

The Alan Day Community Garden will host an Earth Day cleanup Sunday, April 26, from noon to 2 p.m. in Norway.

It will start at the garden at 26 Whitman St. with a community lunch provided by the organization’s community kitchen, as well as free workshops and family-friendly activities for families.

The organization looks to improve community health by building relationships and growing food together.

For more information visit alandaycommunitygarden.org.

Franklin County

13th annual Farmington Volunteer Cleanup

The town of Farmington will hold its annual Earth Day volunteer cleanup Wednesday, April 22, from 1-3 p.m. Volunteers will start at the Pierce House at 204 Main St. and continue cleaning up the historic town.

For more information, contact Jessica Casey, Farmington Public Library director, at 207-381-0393 or [email protected].

UMF Alumni Panel: Leadership in Environment Stewardship

On Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, the University of Maine Farmington will host an Alumni Panel at the Emery Community Arts Center at 111 South St. with the National Resources Council of Maine. From 1-2 p.m., Vanessa Berry, NRCM’s Sustainable Maine program manager, will be part of a panel of UMF alumni who will talk about leadership, careers and real-world approaches to environmental sustainability.

The event is free and open to the public. More information can be found at nrcm.org.