Queen Creek celebrates Earth Month

April is Earth Month and Queen Creek is offering many activities and events to get people interested in sustainability and protecting the environment.

Parents can start teaching their young children about recycling with the Cardboard Box Car “Drive-in” movie.

Kids are encouraged to build “box cars” from cardboard boxes to watch a free movie under the stars. The town will be screening, “How to Train Your Dragon” starting at 7 p.m., Friday, at Mansel Carter Oasis Park, 19535 E. Appleby Road. The movie will begin at around 7:30 p.m.

Free popcorn and water will be served while supplies last. If you don’t have a cardboard box car, you can still bring along a chair or blanket.

Register for the event here.

On Saturday, April 18, the town will hold a QC Recycles event where residents can bring paper to shred, paint, appliances, batteries and more to donate, recycle and dispose of properly.

Register by Monday, April 13 to get a fast pass to QC Recycles, which will take place at the field operations facility at 19715 S. 220th St. Register today.

Queen Creek also offers a series of water-smart workshops to help homeowners make the most of their yards in an environmentally friendly way.

Backyard Makeover runs from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 18 at the Queen Creek Library, Zane Grey Room, 21802 S. Ellsworth Road.

A local expert will be on hand to help residents turn their backyards into serene retreats or a haven for kids and pets. Learn simple, practical steps to transform a plain grass yard into a vibrant, water-efficient outdoor sanctuary.

The workshop is free, but registration is required.

Later this month, the town will be holding another water-smart workshop to create a different kind of haven.

Butterfly Gardening in the Desert runs from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 25 at the Queen Creek Library, Zane Grey Room, 21802 S. Ellsworth Road.

Discover how to turn a desert garden into a butterfly oasis from horticulturist and author Noelle Johnson. She will teach residents how to attract butterflies using the four key elements of a butterfly-friendly landscape.

Learn about local species, the best plants to support them and simple design tips to create a colorful, pollinator-friendly space.

The workshop is free, but registration is required.

Throughout the month, residents can visit the Water Conservation Youth Art Exhibit in the Queen Creek Library’s lobby. The exhibit will feature water conservation art contest submissions from local kids.

To find more resources and activities, including online games and a trails scavenger hunt, visit the town’s Earth Month page.