Earth Day and Dark Skies Celebration

Name: Earth Day and Dark Skies Celebration
Start: 2026-04-18T13:00:00-05:00
Location: The Alpine Civic Center

Schedule

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026 at 01:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

The Alpine Civic Center | Alpine, TX

Keep Alpine Beautiful and Visit Alpine welcome everyone to celebrate Earth Day and Dark Skies!
We are hosting full day and NIGHT of events Saturday April 18th! The new location this year will be the Alpine Civic Center as part of the Alpine Gem & Mineral Show. There will also be talks and children's programs across the street at the Alpine Public Library!
Dark Skies/Earth Day – Saturday April 18
During the Alpine Gem & Mineral Show
8AM Patio Sale Opens at Alpine Public Library
Start the weekend with REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE shopping! The Alpine Public Library will be hosting their annual Patio Sale! 8AM to 1PM. Come find some treasures and support the library!!
9AM Guided Hike on Hancock Hill!
"Exploring Desert Resources: An Earth Day Hike " by Dr. Kelbi Delaune-Trotter
• This 1.8-mile hike is moderately strenuous and will last 2 hours.
PLEASE BE CONFIDENT YOU CAN KEEP A BRISK PACE ON ROUGH, STEEP TERRAIN BEFORE SIGNING UP.
• Hikes are contingent on weather and may not be rescheduled.
• This hike will not visit the Sul Ross Desk.
Registration for this hike open on Saturday, March 28th, https://sulross.libcal.com/event/16477097
For more information, please contact [email protected]
10AM Ham Radio Open House
World Amateur Radio Day is April 18th. The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club is hosting an open house to teach people about what they do! Look for the BBARC RV in the parking lot of the Alpine Public Library. They will be setup from 10am-4pm!
11AMBig Bend Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas
at the Alpine Public Library All Purpose Room
"Cultivating Conservation: Behind the Scenes at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center". Followed by guided tours of the Patty Manning Pollinator Garden lead by Karen Little.
Description: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, highlighting its research, gardens, education, collections, events, and native plant propagation, including how this work supports conservation across Texas and beyond.
1-4PM Earth Day Education & Outreach
Keep Alpine Beautiful will have education and outreach partners setup along 12th street at the Alpine Civic Center. You can expect conservation and wildlife partners from around the Big Bend Region with information, activities and giveaways.
McDonald Observatory
Texas Master Naturalist, Tierra Grande Chapter
Texas Parks & Wildlife - live snakes
Rio Grande Joint Venture
SRSU Plant Resource Center
Big Bend Conservation Alliance
Borderlands Research Institute
SRSU Biology Club
SRSU Art Club
Range and Wildlife Club
SRSU Dept. Civic Engagement & Student
Native Plant Society of Texas Big Bend Chapter
1-4pm Talks and Presentations
In addition to the partner booths we will be hosting presentations in the Alpine Public Library all purpose room.
1PM – Lights Out – How light pollution disrupts bird migration with Dr Maureen Frank from Borderlands Research Institute.
2PM – Gem & Minerals of the Big Bend - Aaron Thomas
3PM – "Preserving Darkness in an Age of Light" -Stephen Hummel, McDonald Observatory
1-4pm Children Programs – Library Children’s Wing
Mary Beth with Alpine Dark Skies will lead children's activities at the library!
2PM Dark Sky Coloring Book Winners Announced – In partnership with Alpine High School Art Program, Visit Alpine is sponsoring a Dark Sky Coloring Book art contest. Students will be submitting the coloring pages they draw featuring dark skies. Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The drawings will be used to create a Dark Sky Coloring Book that will be distributed to Alpine Elementary Students.
NEW THIS YEAR 9PM Owl Walk led by BRI Dr Maureen Frank and Dr. Alejandro Chavez location Kokernot Lodge. You MUST REGISTER for the Owl Walk https://form.jotform.com/260925908764065
STAR PARTY! 9:30PM
Kokernot Park at Dusk. The night ends with an incredible Star Party at the Kokernot Park Soccer Field in Alpine led by McDonald Observatory Dark Sky Expert Stephen Hummel. After the walk through the stars look through high powered telescopes with expert operators to guide you and explain the wonders of the night sky. The Star Party is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! You will want to arrive at dusk and bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Dress warm for the temperature drop when the sun goes down.