Earth Day Community Day Guide 2025

Greetings, water-wise friends!

The Earth has completed another rotation around the sun since last April, which means it’s time for our 16th annual Earth Day celebration. If you didn’t make it to the last 15 celebrations, don’t worry—we’re eager to see you this time! If you’re coming to your 2nd, 5th, 8th, or 16th celebration, then get ready to have as much fun as the last!

While Earth Day is officially celebrated worldwide on April 22, we’re kicking things off early! Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 17, from 4 PM – 7 PM at the beautiful Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park for an afternoon of fun, learning, and eco-friendly activities. (You might even catch me there to say hi!) 👋

🚗Where to park?

There are two convenient parking options available for the event:

• Lot A: 6075 Kimball Avenue, Chino – near IEUA’s headquarters (bonus: this lot has a few EV charging stations!)
• Lot B: 5975 El Prado Road, Chino – located right at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park’s El Prado. entrance

Pro tip: Parking tends to fill up quickly, so we highly recommend carpooling with friends or family. It's a great way to go green even before you arrive!

🌱Here's what to expect:

Wear comfortable shoes as there’s a lot to explore! With plenty of trails and exhibits throughout the Park, be prepared for a lot of walking. Don’t forget your hat, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle to stay cool and hydrated while you enjoy the event.

🐾Exhibitor highlights:

Live animal encounters – Get ready for a wild adventure! An amazing lineup of animal encounters will be at the celebration! Think: Slithering reptiles, fascinating insects, and furry mammals. The best part? You might even get the chance to hold one!

Plant giveaway – Stop by the Viramontes booth (booth #22) to take home a free plant! Whether you’ve got a green thumb or you’re just starting your plant journey, this is the perfect way to bring a little Earth Day magic home with you. (Be sure to swing by early—these go very fast as it’s our most popular giveaway!)

City of Chino – Meet our co-hosts and discover how the City is working toward a more sustainable future.

Shredding truck – Go Green by Going Paperless! Got old documents piling up at home? Bring them to the event and let our shredding truck securely dispose of them for you! Not only will you be protecting your personal information, but you’ll also be taking a big step toward a greener future by recycling paper responsibly. 

Wastewater Slime Station – Hosted by IEUA’s water experts, this hands-on booth will teach you about water pollution in a fun and slimy way! Make sure to check out the time slots – trust me, you won’t want to miss this!

Train ride through the Park: Hop on the infamous train ride and take a scenic journey through the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park! This fun and relaxing ride will give you a front row seat to the Park’s beautiful landscape, native wildlife, and conservation efforts. 

Food and fun: Enjoy delicious food, refreshing shaved ice and coffee, face painting, a photo booth, music, and plenty of surprises hidden throughout the Park.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you all—whether it’s your first Earth Day with us or your 16th!

See you soon for another drop of water wisdom.

Your friend,

Wally

Myth or Fact: Earth Month Edition

Hi friends! Do you think you know everything about wetlands? Let’s test your knowledge! In the spirit of April Fool’s Day and to get you excited about IEUA and the City of Chino’s 16^th annual Earth Day celebration on April 17, we’re busting some common myths about wetlands and water conservation. You may be fooled, but don’t worry—Wally’s here to set the record straight!

Myth #1: Wetlands are just big puddles with stinky water.

April Fools! Wetlands are one of the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet. They serve as nature’s water filters, flood protectors, and wildlife havens. There are four types of wetlands that serve different ecosystems around the world—swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens! In 2007, the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park was open to the public with the help of staff, partners, experts, and local volunteers. The Park was designed to use recycled water to sustain native plants, birds, and aquatic life while naturally improving water quality.

Myth #2: Recycled water is not clean.

Gotcha! Recycled water undergoes rigorous treatment and purification before it ever reaches our wetlands. It’s safe for irrigation, habitat restoration, and sustaining ecosystems. Using recycled water also helps conserve freshwater. When visiting our Park, you can find recycled water designated by purple pipes!

Myth #3: Wetlands don’t do anything to help with climate change.

Wrong again! Wetlands are powerhouses for carbon storage. They absorb and store carbon dioxide, help cool urban areas, and prevent soil erosion. By protecting and restoring wetlands, we take a huge step forward toward building climate resilience! Water recycling and wetlands work together to create a sustainable future.

Myth #4: One person can’t make a difference in water conservation.

Not true! Small changes like fixing leaks, reducing runoff of pollutants, and planting native plants add up to big impacts. Every drop counts, and when communities work together, we can secure tomorrow’s water today.

If you were fooled by any of these myths, don’t worry, Earth Day is the perfect occasion to learn the facts and take meaningful steps toward environmental stewardship. Join us at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park on Thursday, April 17, from 4-7pm for a day of hands-on activities, environmental exhibits, animal encounters, and more!

See you there!

Wally