Environmentalists

World Okapi Day Also sometimes called International Okapi Day, World Okapi Day was established by conservation organisations and wildlife advocates to shine a light on a species that is often overlooked, yet deeply vulnerable. Observed each year on October 18th, the day brings together people around the world in support of okapis and the rainforests they call home. With their velvet-dark coats and striped legs, okapis look almost mythical. Yet they are very real, sensitive, and intelligent beings who move quietly through the rainforest and rely on unique "infrasonic mutterings" inaudible to humans to communicate over long distances. World Okapi Day is a chance for us to recognise their uniqueness and stand beside them. Together, we can ensure these extraordinary animals continue to thrive in the wild. #WorldOkapiDay @Environmentalists

International Sawfish Day (ISD) is an annual event that is held every October 17th, with the aim of raising awareness of these endangered animals and the threats they face. You can participate in ISD by creating or visiting a sawfish outreach event in your community, giving a presentation in your classroom, or sharing information about sawfish and ISD online. #InternationalSawfishDay @Environmmentalists

Every year on 14 October, the world marks International E-Waste Day: a global initiative launched by the WEEE Forum to raise awareness about the growing challenge of electronic waste and to inspire action. For its 9th edition, International E-Waste Day 2026 turns the spotlight on Fast Tech: the small and inexpensive electronic products that have become part of everyday life. What is fast tech? Fast Tech describes the expanding universe of low-cost electrical and electronic items that consumers purchase, often on impulse, and discard without a second thought. Think earphones bought at the airport, fancy charging cables, USB adapters, LED string lights, mini fans, single use vapes, toys and other type of gadgets. #InternationalEWasteDay @Environmentalists

13 October 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 Resilience starts at home In 1989, the United Nations decided to observe an International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The original plan was for this day to be observed for just for ten years, however now we celebrate on 13 October every year. It was started as a global initiative to encourage and promote risk-reduction attitudes and actions. 37 years later, as we enter the next Higher Risk Weather Season looking at how we can reduce risk and build resilience is more important than ever. Governments, emergency services, businesses, community organisations and individuals all have a role to play in understanding risk and acting before disaster strikes. #ResilienceStartsAtHome #DRRDay @Environmentalists

Mazingira Day 10 Oct 2026 Observed as a national call to environmental responsibility, Mazingira Day highlights the importance of conserving natural ecosystems for sustainable development. Grassroots Activities Scheduled for 2026 Tree Propagation: Citizens are encouraged to plant local site-matched seedlings and track their growth via the official Jaza Miti application. Waste Management: Local clean-up campaigns focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic waste within urban and rural spaces. Water Conservation: Communities take part in restoring degraded water catchments and clearing local riverbeds. Knowledge Sharing: Elders and conservation experts pass traditional ecological and agricultural knowledge down to the younger generation. #MazingiraDay @Environmentalists

World Octopus Day (also known as National Octopus Day, International Octopus Day and Octopus Appreciation Day) is celebrated on the 8th of October every year. It’s a celebration of one of the most distinctive marine creatures on the planet. The day draws attention to the beauty, intelligence, and sentience of octopuses. It’s also a chance to highlight the threats octopuses face, including octopus farming and marine pollution. #WorldOctopusDay @Environmentalists

National Badger Day 2026 is on Tuesday 6 October 2026. National Badger Day is a special occasion that shines a spotlight on one of nature’s most iconic creatures, the badger. This day celebrates the beauty, significance, and the need for conservation efforts to protect these elusive mammals. National Badger Day 2026 is a day dedicated to raising awareness about badgers and their crucial role in our ecosystem. It aims to promote the conservation of these fascinating animals and their habitats. Badgers are known for their distinctive black and white markings and are an integral part of our natural heritage. #NationalBadgerDay @Environmentalists

The UN established World Habitat Day in 1985, through General Assembly Resolution 40/202. The first edition was celebrated the following year, in 1986, with a slogan that still rings true today: Shelter is My Right. Since then, the event has taken place every year on the first Monday of October, which in 2026 falls on the 5th, with each edition featuring a different theme chosen by UN-Habitat: the outskirts, access to water, municipal waste, mobility, urban crises. The underlying principle, however, has never changed: no one can live well without a healthy place to live. It is an idea born from looking at cities and the people who inhabit them. But it applies, word for word, to all the other species that inhabit the planet as well, and to the places where they try to do so. #WorldHabitatDay @Environmentalists

World Animal Day on October 4th each year focuses on improving the welfare of animals around the world. Sadly, animals around the world are abused or killed illegally on a daily basis. Illegal hunting contributes to the endangerment of certain animal species. Animals are also abused in other ways. Inhumane testing and research on animals. Domestically, owners who neglect, abuse or abandon their pets lead to multiple issues. Concerned animal lovers want to put a stop to all forms of animal abuse. Their goal is to improve animal welfare to ensure animals are treated humanely. #WorldAnimalDay @Environmentalists

World Farm Animals Day, observed every October 2, sheds light on the critical issues of animal welfare and ethical treatment in agriculture. This day encourages us to reflect on the lives of farm animals and advocate for more humane practices. #WorldFarmAnimalsDay @Environmentalists

Australian Wildlife Week is commemorated across the country during the first week of October each year to encourage a positive relationship between humanity and nature. We hope to raise awareness of wildlife conservation issues across Australia and inspire all Australians to explore and develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues, gain the necessary skills to make informed decisions and take action to improve the environment. #AustralianWildlifeWeek @Environmentalists

International Raccoon Appreciation Day takes place every year on 1 October. It encourages people to look beyond the raccoon’s reputation as a garden nuisance and recognise the important role these intelligent, adaptable mammals play in their ecosystems. The day was created in 2002 to challenge the idea that raccoons are simply pests and to celebrate their place in the natural world. #RaccoonAppreciationDay @Environmentalists

The seventh observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) will be observed on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. This year’s theme focuses on the “Transformative Potential of Reducing Food Loss and Waste”. Tackling Food loss and waste, in fact, can generate a triple win: improving food security and nutrition, reducing pressure on natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing productivity and economic growth. #IDAFLW @Environmentalists

International Rivers Day 2026 is observed on 27th September. A worldwide celebration, uniting millions of volunteers, environmentalists, and local communities to raise awareness that waterways are so incredibly valuable and encourage everyone to take some action to conserve them. Today is an important day for International rivers, as it reminds us of the many ecological, social and economic benefits these free-flowing waterways offer worldwide. Rivers, whether big or small, feed wildlife, serve as a source for drinking water and power agricultural systems throughout the continents. #InternationalRiversDay @Environmentalists

World Cassowary Day is celebrated annually on the 26th of September. In 2026, this date falls on a Saturday. World Cassowary Day is a celebration of cassowaries. It’s a chance to learn more about these distinctive birds, their characteristics, and behaviours. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of the threats cassowaries face, including habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and dog attacks. By coming together on this date, we can support cassowary conservation and habitat protection. #WorldCassowaryDay @Environmentalists

September 26 was declared World Environmental Health Day by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) and is celebrated annually on this day. Environmental health is a field that focuses on the health relationships between people and their environment. Ensuring public health is a multifaceted challenge that requires expertise not only in the field of health threats that come from within. With the increasing number of severe weather events and nationwide outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, environmental health is coming to the forefront. Addressing environmental health issues such as climate change, food safety, water and air quality, and disease spread is one of the most important responsibilities of public health professionals. Local health organizations must be strong advocates for ongoing environmental health education, funding, and support. #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay @Environmentalists

World Gorilla Day takes place every year on 24 September. It is a global day of awareness dedicated to protecting gorillas and their forest habitats, encouraging people everywhere to learn about these great apes and support the conservation work keeping them from extinction. In 2026 it falls on Thursday, 24 September. World Gorilla Day is an annual awareness day that celebrates gorillas and rallies support for their protection. It was established by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the world’s longest-running organisation dedicated solely to gorilla conservation. The day brings together zoos, conservation charities, schools, national parks and the wider public to raise funds, share knowledge and highlight the threats facing all four gorilla subspecies. Its purpose is straightforward: to ensure gorillas have a future in the wild. #WorldGorillaDay @Environmentalists

World Rhino Day is a day of awareness for all five rhino species and the work being done to save them. Since 2011, World Rhino Day has been celebrated internationally on September 22nd by rhino experts and advocates around the world! Rhinos have survived for 50 million years but today, fewer than 27,000 remain. Four of the five species are threatened with extinction. From critical breeding successes in Indonesia to landmark convictions for poachers, IRF’s latest State of the Rhino report shows both urgent challenges and powerful hope. #WorldRhinoDay @Environmentalists

Let’s get to the center of the matter – what is zero emissions day? Zero emission day, or ZeDay, is a grassroots civic movement based on a catchy simple slogan: “Giving our planet a day off a year. The goal of September 21 zero emissions day is to completely phase out or significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels for 24 hours and to increase public consciousness of carbon pollution and air quality. The principles for participation in a September 21 Zero Emissions Day are: Avoid using petrol, gas or coal: Do not drive petrol or diesel cars, don’t use gas heating or fossil fuel equipment. Reduce non-renewable electricity use: Reduce the consumption of electricity from non-renewable energy sources (such as switching off non-essential electronics, lights and appliances). Focus on safety: Critical services – such as hospitals, emergency response and municipal safety systems – are operating normally. #ZeroEmissionDay @Environmentalists

On 20 September 2026, people around the world unite for World Cleanup Day. It is a global movement that goes beyond cleaning up waste and aims to address the systems that generate it. This year’s global observance focuses on food waste, one of the largest and most preventable waste streams affecting cities and communities worldwide. From Clean Plates to Clean Cities Every day, more than 1 billion meals are wasted globally, while millions of people continue to face hunger and lack basic services. Food waste places enormous pressure on waste systems, contributes to climate change, wastes land and water resources, and represents a missed opportunity to build more resilient and equitable systems. #WorldCleanupDay @Environmentalists