Governors Island To Host Fifth Annual Earth Day Celebration

Photo Courtesy of Governors Island

The free celebration on April 18th will feature educational activities and workshops, nature- and climate-based walking tours, open studios and more

The Trust for Governors Island announced their fifth annual Earth Day celebration, offering a day of free programming celebrating the Island’s shared connection with nature. New Yorkers are invited to spend the day on Governors Island and enjoy free educational activities and workshops for all ages, guided tours through the Island’s open space, an outdoor sound bath, open studios, climate tech demos, and more. The festivities will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“Governors Island is a living laboratory for climate solutions here in New York Harbor, where dozens of organizations are working to develop real-world solutions for our collective future. Our annual Earth Day festivities give New Yorkers the opportunity to experience that work firsthand while enjoying free, interactive programming,” said Clare Newman, President & CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “We look forward to welcoming visitors ]to appreciate the natural beauty of the Island on April 18th, whether it’s your first time visiting or your 100th, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.”

The event will feature activities designed to get New Yorkers outside and engaged in Governors Island’s open space, from an immersive sound bath in the urban forest of Hammock Grove to guided walking tours highlighting the many climate solutions found across the Island. Earth Day partners include Arbon, BikeNYC, CarbonClair, Circular Economy Manufacturing, CLIP, CO Adaptive, DuYe Moves, Earth Matter NY, Empire Clean Cities, Just EcoCities, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The New York Climate Exchange, NYC Bird Alliance, Red Hook Art Project, RETI Project, Seaweed City, and more to be announced. For more information and a full schedule of the day’s offerings, visit www.govisland.org/earth-day.

Earth Day is sponsored by Hornblower Group, operator of NYC Ferry. The Governors Island 2026 season is generously supported by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Trust for Governors Island’s climate programs are supported by Amazon, Con Edison, Anonymous, the Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, and the New York Community Trust.

Governors Island is open to the public daily from 7am to 6pm. Trust for Governors Island-operated ferries run daily between the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan and Soissons Landing on the Island. Schedules and ticketing information are available online at www.govisland.org. Round-trip ferry tickets cost $5 for adults. Governors Island ferries are always free for children 12 and under, older adults ages 65 and up, residents of NYCHA, IDNYC holders, current and former military service members, and members. Ferries before 11AM on Saturdays and Sundays are free for all. There is no surcharge for bicycles or strollers at any time.

NYC Ferry also serves Governors Island daily on the South Brooklyn route, with stops in Manhattan and along the Brooklyn waterfront. For ticketing information and full schedules for NYC Ferry, visit www.ferry.nyc.

About the Trust for Governors Island

The Trust for Governors Island is the nonprofit corporation created by the City of New York that is responsible for the redevelopment and operation of 150 acres of Governors Island. The Trust’s mission is to realize the full potential of Governors Island for the inspiration and enjoyment of all New Yorkers, demonstrating a bold vision for public space. For more information, visit www.govisland.org