Earth Day, founded on April 22, 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson and Denis Hayes, led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Thirty years later, Earth Day Los Angeles involved nearly 100 environmental, social justice and religious groups, in co-organizing a day of education and celebration with over 100 booths, music, speakers, and much more, on April 22, 2000. Over 13,000 people attended the event in Exposition Park. In April 2001 nearly 2000 students from LAUSD schools and over 30 vendors again came to Exposition Park for a series of powerful hands-on activities to learn how clean energy and conservation help our environment and enhance our health. In the April 19, 2002, children's event at Lake Balboa Park over 1000 students and over 20 vendors participated in similar learning experience. This was repeated on April 22, 2003, in Griffith Park with over 1000 students and over 20 vendors.

Earth Day Los Angeles also was an integral part of planning the Whole Earth Festival on April 20 and 21, 2002, at Lake Balboa Park, the largest Earth Day event in the LA region with over 20,000 people attending. All events drew significant media coverage and were effective and exciting educational experiences for the attendees.

In 2003-2008, Earth Day LA organized "Earth Day on the Promenade," with an estimated 15,000 attendees each year. Sixty booths filled the entire three blocks of the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade, with a stage in the center, featuring environmental speakers and award-winning musicians. The Earth Day printed program was a popular handout, with 5,000 distributed to attendees. A series of ads in the Santa Monica Mirror during the five weeks leading up to Earth Day (estimated readership per issue of 52,000), plus two ads in the LA Weekly, with an estimated readership per issue of 624,000, plus full page ads in the Yogi Times and Whole Life Times magazines created a total of over 2 million potential impressions each year. In addition, the event was publicized with frequent PSAs on KPFK 90.7 FM, plus a feature on KNBC-TV in 2007.

On April 22, 2008, Earth Day LA joined forces with the Wilshire Center Business Improvement District to bring "Wilshire Center Earth Day/Car Free Day" to 20,000 festival-goers on mid-Wilshire. Attendees were encouraged to ride their bikes, take the rail, walk, or bus to the event for this first ever Car Free Day in Los Angeles that transformed four city blocks into a Car Free Zone. Over 100 exhibit booths, and three Solar powered stages featured environmental information and giveaways, speakers, celebrities, green magic, mural painting, planting, and puppet shows for kids, and an activating musical yoga session led by Yoga Ambassador Seane Corn. Musical performances by the Luminaries, Naked Rhythm, Chris Pierce, and Michael Franti of Spearhead made this a most memorable celebration that garnered media attention all day.

On June 28, 2008, Earth Day LA worked with the Venice Chamber of Commerce to present the first "Venice Eco-Fest," which presented to an estimated 25,000 attendees, over 100 booths, children's interactive music and art exhibits, and a solar-powered stage that presented quality music and special ballet performances. Speakers included Ed Begley, Jr., Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, actress Angelica Houston, internationally-known activist John Quigley, and more.

The Kids' Explor-o-Rama performers included: Ron the Singing Dino guy, Baharmony poetry and stories for kids, the Laughing Guru, Bohemian Exchange, Brian Travis Band, and Gemini's Joyology for Kids.

Here's what people are saying about the Venice Eco-Fest:

"The Venice Eco-Fest is an event that raises eco-awareness, empowers solutions to our environmental crises, and moves people to take positive action."
- Ed Begley, Jr., Actor, Environmentalist, Participant in Venice Eco-Fest

"The Venice Neighborhood Council believes that Venice Eco-Fest 2009 will continue to be a great annual community event that emphasizes and inspires: community; environmental education; awareness of conscious consumerism; environmental responsibility; green-enterprise; and the arts."
- Mike Newhouse, President, Venice Neighborhood Council, Sponsor

"As a Venice resident myself, I applaud the organizers of the Venice Eco-Fest for fostering community and showcasing and supporting the work of local businesses and organizations that are ecologically friendly…. Our sustainable future is in the hands of everyday citizens who can make choices today that will move governments and businesses to make the large-scale changes that scientists agree are needed for a safe and healthy planet."
- Andy Lipkis, President, TreePeople (among the largest independent environmental organizations in California)

"The Venice Eco-Fest is designed to promote the business community in Venice and the goals of green commerce. It has proven to be a very positive and educational celebration of community in the very heart of Venice's visitor and business center along the Boardwalk…"
- Alex Rosales, President, Venice Chamber of Commerce, Sponsor

"We are pleased to bring so many family oriented exhibits and activities to Earth Day, because kids can encourage parents to buy environmentally friendly products, which reduces pollution and global warming, making a healthier future for all of us."
- Jim Stewart, PhD, Organizing Director, Earth Day Los Angeles