Rock City Gardens hosts “Earth Dayz,” a new, naturally fun outdoor event on select dates during the month of April, from 11 am to 4 pm. Earth Dayz features the Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey Shows, “Chattanooga’s Storyteller,” Jim Pfitzer and a special hands-on environmental art activity at the Critter Classroom! Rocky and the Gnome are onsite for pictures, along with gemstone panning, Fairyland Forest Makeovers and the Rock Climbing Wall.

“As Rock City Gardens partners with conservationists like Jim Pfitzer and John and Dale Stokes with Save Our American Raptors (S.O.A.R.), one of the most wondrous natural settings in the southeast comes to life in new ways,” said Andrew Kean, president of See Rock City, Inc. “Our growing festival and event calendar is a testament to how serious we are about providing high level cultural entertainment to our hundreds of thousands of guests, all while creating memories worth repeating.”

This event revolves around Rock City’s commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle, our stewardship of nature and our commitment to education and the environment. Orange Grove Recycling and Take Root Chattanooga are also involved with Rock City in this venue. Rock City has entered its second year of a partnership with Orange Grove, as they provide park-wide recycling pickup for the attraction. Earth Dayz helps teach participants how to “recycle right” and shows the importance of planting trees, both missions of Orange Grove and Take Root.

The birds of prey shows are offered at 11am, 1pm and 3pm during Earth Dayz, and returning during the summer. Come beak-to-beak with the mighty hawk. Get a glimpse at a nocturnal hunter, the owl, and be amazed by the majesty of a bald eagle. Enjoy this rare opportunity to witness these powerful and majestic birds up close.

An outdoor sculpture called “Iron Age” by Roger Halligan is also scheduled to be onsite during Earth Dayz.

Earth Dayz runs April 4-12, 16-19 and 23-26. For the event schedule of activities during Earth Dayz, or to purchase an annual pass to come back all year (less than the cost of two admissions), visit www.seerockcity.com/earthdayz.

Just six miles from downtown Chattanooga, Tenn., Rock City is an enchanted, 4,100-foot walking trail showcasing lush gardens, caves and soaring rock formations.