Second annual Earth Day 5K tour aims to raise visibility for NYC green groups

On Earth Day, New Yorkers will get the chance to visit groups across the city making sure the Big Apple continues its strides as a friend to the environment.

Starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, the Earth Day Initiative will kick off its annual Earth Day 5k Green Tour, where participants will take part in a walking tour of green sites around city.

The money raised from the event will go towards funding the organization’s year-round environmental education program.

“Earth Day is a fantastic opportunity every spring to reconnect with environmental groups and reassess how you can green your own lifestyle,” said John Oppermann, executive director of the Earth Day Initiative. “The Earth Day 5K is a good way to do just that by learning about various groups doing great green work right around the corner.”

Some of the sites that will be visited during the tour include the location of 1 Hotel Central Park, a new eco-friendly brand that recently arrived in New York City; and a visit to the Lowline Lab which will show what the world’s first underground park will look like when it gets construction on the Lower East Side.

Participants will also get the chance to catch a sneak peek and speak to the creators of the new nature documentary “Love Thy Nature,” which is narrated by actor Liam Neeson.

The tour will also take people to the Natural Gourmet Institute where they will hear about sustainable cooking classes and also get a chance to enjoy a lunch.

Oppermann added that along with enjoying the groups on Earth Day, people can also engage with the groups throughout the year through supporting their work, volunteering, and taking advantage of the services they have to offer.

“The goal is to raise the visibility of some of the great green groups in the city that people might pass by every day but know little about,” Oppermann said. “We hope that people will visit the sites and find groups that resonate with them.”

And although registration for the tour is closed, people can follow the Earth Day Initiative via Instagram and Facebook at @earthdayinitiative and also look for #earthday5k live updates.