Earth Day 2011 | Chicago

Photo: NASA Apollo 16

We've only got one planet to work with at this point—and every April Chicagoans can take time out to celebrate it and think about little everyday ways to save it. Thanks to Sen. Gaylord Nelson and various visionaries emerging from the ’60s, the U.S. and eventually the world got Earth Day. At this point, you've probably got the general idea what Earth Day is all about. But it seems, in light of recent disasters (oil spills, nuclear meltdowns, etc.) that the event is taking on more significance this year. There are myriad ways to experience it, get involved and get inspired, so take a look at the Earth Day goings-on we've gathered for you below and you'll find there's no excuse for not having fun on April 22.

Four restaurants celebrating Earth Day

Eat for the earth, dude.

Earth Day 2011 events

You can help Mother Nature by getting your hands dirty or taking it easy.

Grassroots recycling Humboldt Park

Angry with the stalled rollout of the city’s Blue Cart recycling program, Humboldt Park residents take matters into their own hands.

Five Chicago ecofriendly spas

Celebrate Earth Day with an ecofriendly spa treatment.

Chicago's 9 best ecofriendly shops

It's easy to go green, thanks to these Chicago stores.

More Earth Day Chicago 2011

Earth Day Chicago events, 5Ks, festivals, fairs, dining specials and more