Attendees learn about ways to protect and preserve the natural world during the 2025 Family Earth Day Celebration at Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, April 26, 2025. Many in the scientific community advise that significant and immediate global actions are needed to address and prevent further widespread environmental degradation, weather extremes, food and water insecurity, and economic disruptions caused by the climate crisis.
Children and families learned about different animals that Paul Venckus of Hedgehog Hannah in Indianapolis brought to the 2025 Family Earth Day Celebration at Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, April 26, 2025. Venckus travels around the region providing educational shows with “critters from all over the world” so people can learn more about the animal kingdom and natural environment.
Chris Hardie took these photos of the event for WWN:
Children and families learn about the chinchilla that Paul Venckus of Hedgehog Hannah in Indianapolis brought to the 2025 Family Earth Day Celebration at Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, April 26, 2025. Venckus travels around the region providing educational shows with “critters from all over the world” so people can learn more about the animal kingdom and natural environment. Photo by Chris Hardie 
Representatives from Joseph Moore Museum in Richmond help attendees sample flavored crickets and worms at the 2025 Family Earth Day Celebration at Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, April 26, 2025. Many edible insects have protein comparable to beef and include other healthy vitamins and minerals. Photo by Chris Hardie 
Representatives from Joseph Moore Museum in Richmond help attendees sample flavored crickets and worms at the 2025 Family Earth Day Celebration at Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, April 26, 2025. Many edible insects have protein comparable to beef and include other healthy vitamins and minerals. Photo by Chris Hardie 
Attendees learn about ways to protect and preserve the natural world during the 2025 Family Earth Day Celebration at Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, April 26, 2025. Many in the scientific community advise that significant and immediate global actions are needed to address and prevent further widespread environmental degradation, weather extremes, food and water insecurity, and economic disruptions caused by the climate crisis. Photo by Chris Hardie 
Attendees learn about ways to protect and preserve the natural world during the 2025 Family Earth Day Celebration at Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, April 26, 2025. Many in the scientific community advise that significant and immediate global actions are needed to address and prevent further widespread environmental degradation, weather extremes, food and water insecurity, and economic disruptions caused by the climate crisis. Photo by Chris Hardie
A version of this article appeared in the April 30 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.