The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and numerous partners invite the public to celebrate Earth Day at or near more than a dozen parks around the state. Earth Day, April 22, is also a free day when visitors don’t need a Discover Pass for day-use visits to parks by vehicle.

Earth Day events include work parties to remove invasive plants, guided hikes to learn about native plants and interpretive programs for young people and adults.

Bellevue’s Bridle Trails State Park is one of the state parks participating, and readers can join volunteers from the Bridle Trails Park Foundation from 9 a.m. to noon on Earth Day to help by removing non-native invasive holly and blackberry, weeding a native plant garden and planting trees for screening. The Foundation will provide snacks, beverages and pizza. Some tools will be available, but people are encouraged to bring gloves, hand pruners and shovels. Consider carpooling; parking is limited.

Other state parks participating include Saltwater State Park in King County, and Lake Wenatchee State Park, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Lake Sylvia State Park, Deception Pass State Park, Fort Worden Historical State Park, Manchester State Park, Columbia Hills Historical State Park, Pearrygin Lake State Park, Kopachuck State Park, Rockport State Park and Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail.

Even though April 22 is a free day and visitors don’t need a Discover Pass, State Parks hopes people will take in a state park on this day and consider purchasing the pass. An annual pass is $30 and a daily pass is $10. For more information, visitwww.discoverpass.wa.gov.