June Virtual Environmental & Humanitarian Events
The country is beginning to reopen slowly, but large events and gatherings remain prohibited. June is Pride Month with the LGBTQ community celebrated across the country with parades. While most parades have been cancelled, you can still celebrate PRIDE virtually with parades, karaoke, virtual pride brunch and cooking competition and film fests. See an extensive list of virtual Pride Month events here.
Virtual races are happening all summer long. You can sign up for virtual 5ks for any cause of your choice from saving sea turtles, feeding the hungry, animal rescue and more. Many of these organizations’ biggest annual fundraising events had to be cancelled or put on hold. Sign up for one of these events to support your favorite charity and get outside.
On June 5, we celebrate World Environment Day and this year’s theme is biodiversity. World Environment Day is the most renowned day for environmental action. Since 1974, it has been celebrated every year engaging governments, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus their efforts on a pressing environmental issue. There are dozens of virtual events planned to celebrate World Environment Day.
June 22-28, 2020 has been designated National Pollinator Week. National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them. Initiated and managed by The Pollinator Partnership, the week is dedicated to celebrating and protecting not only bees but also birds, butterflies, bats and beetles. While many people find bees to be pesky, they are a vital part of our eco-system. Climate change is linked to flowers blooming earlier before bees emerge from hibernation, disrupting the natural pollination process. Many of the foods we eat rely on or benefit from pollinators. Bees and other pollinators need our help to combat the effects of climate change on pollination. In addition to virtual events, many cities and business participate by lighting up buildings in yellow and orange in support of pollinators. There are also a variety of simple backyard planting and gardening changes individuals can do to help save pollinators.
Other June 2020 special environmental days are World Bicycle day on June 3, National Trails Day on June 6, World Oceans Day on June 8, Global Wind Day on June 15, World Sea Turtle Day on June 16, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17 and World Rainforest Day on June 22. All of the sponsoring organizations have special virtual events planned to bring awareness to these causes.