Celebrating Earth Day

Contribute, connect, and celebrate

Earth Day and Arbor Day are both celebrated in April, and there are many events planned locally to get involved and celebrate our community and environment. Explore all the opportunities on our Earth Day and Arbor Day events map.

View the full size map in a new window.

Contribute to the Mighty Mississippi Cleanup Challenge

The Mississippi River, and all of the lakes, rivers, and streams in Hennepin County, make this a great place to live. We have been challenged by our downstream neighbor, Goodhue County, to participate in the Mighty Mississippi Cleanup Challenge, and we wholeheartedly accept! Participating is easy – simply get outside and pick up litter any time before May 15.

You could join a cleanup event, organize your own cleanup, or sign up to Adopt-a-Drain. Learn how to sort the litter you clean up by referring to the waste sort guide for litter cleanups (PDF).

Share your results and a photo through our online form to be counted towards the challenge.

Download the Mighty Mississippi Cleanup Challenge flyer (PDF).

Join a cleanup

Valley Park cleanup, Saturday, May 10 at Valley Park in Hopkins
EcoAlpha: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Cleanup, Sunday, May 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Plant a tree for Arbor Day

Arbor Day is Friday, April 26, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the benefits trees provide. Trees improve our air and water, make ourselves and our communities healthier, reduce the effects of extreme heat, and provide wildlife habitat.

Arbor Day celebrations are happening throughout the county this weekend. We also have Arbor Day resources to help residents select the right tree for their location and plant and care for trees.

Arbor Day celebrations

Edina Arbor Day Celebration tree planting, Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Braemar Golf Course in Edina
Minneapolis Arbor Day Festival, Friday, April 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kenny Park in Minneapolis
Eagan Arbor Day Celebration, Friday, April 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Trapp Farm Park in Eagan
Robbinsdale Arbor Day and Park Cleanup, Saturday, April 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. at Kelly Park in Robbinsdale
Eden Prairie Arbor Day Celebration, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Staring Lake Parkin Eden Prairie
Maple Grove Arbor Day Celebration, Saturday, April 26 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Maple Grove Community Center
Chanhassen annual tree planting event, Saturday, May 3 at 9 a.m. at Roundhouse Park in Chanhassen
Crystal Arbor Day celebration, Wednesday, May 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sunnyview Park in Crystal
St. Louis Park Arbor Day celebration, Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at Browndale Park in St. Louis Park

Bring hazardous and hard-to-dispose items to a collection event

Many cities hold special pick up and drop off collection days in the spring. City cleanup events offer residents a chance to get rid of hard-to-dispose items such as old furniture, exercise equipment, appliances, electronics, and more.

The county also holds hazardous waste collection events to give residents more convenient disposal options for household, lawn, and garden products. These are in addition to the county’s drop-off facilities, open year-round in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park.

City cleanup events

Eden Prairie spring recycling drop-off event, Saturday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Eden Prairie Yard Waste Site
Corcoran cleanup day, Saturday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Corcoran Public Works Facility
Independence spring cleanup day, Saturday, May 3 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Independence Public Works building
Saint Anthony Village spring cleanup day, Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Saint Anthony Village Public Works Facility
Dayton spring cleanup day, Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dayton City Hall
St. Louis Park cleanup day, Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to noon at the St. Louis Park Municipal Service Center
Maple Grove cleanup day, Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Maple Grove Public Works Facility
Shorewood cleanup and paper shred event, Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shorewood Public Works Department
Champlin recycling drop-off event, Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mann Theatre in Champlin

Repair, salvage, and swap

Properly disposing of and recycling household items is important, but preventing waste in the first place has an even greater impact.

Learn how to repair household items at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic, or discover the treasures to be found at local home improvement thrift stores during the Salvage Crawl in May.

This is also the season for swap events – many cities and organizations are holding events where you can swap clothing, gear, garden tools, and more.

Swap events

Minneapolis garden tool swaps, Saturday, May 3, Saturday, May 10, and Friday, May 16 at multiple parks throughout Minneapolis
Twin Cities Bike Swap, Sunday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans Park in Richfield
St. Louis Park gardening swap, Tuesday, May 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Recreation Outdoor Center in St Louis Park
Spring into Action: Clean and Swap, Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Park in Brooklyn Center

Learn and connect

Earth Day and spring events offer opportunities to explore nature and learn about local sustainability resources.

Earth Day celebrations, environmental fairs, and nature outings

Unite for Earth Day, Monday, April 21 from 2:30 to 8 p.m. at Orono Nature Center and Learning Pavilion in Long Lake
Kids Earth Week Activity, Monday, April 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rahn Park in Eagan
National Park Week Party, Tuesday, April 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Broken Clock Brewery in Minneapolis
Earth Day, A Reception and Evening Talk with Will Steger, Tuesday, April 22. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. Talk begins at 7 p.m. at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove Street
Climate change 101 presentation, Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville
Seed sorting party, Multiple Wednesdays in April and May from 1 to 2 p.m. at Nokomis Library in Minneapolis
Birding and Building with a Naturalist at Lyndale Farmstead, Wednesday, April 23 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Lyndale Farmstead Park, Buildings-Recreation Center in Minneapolis
Nature trading place, Multiple Thursdays in April and May from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Nokomis Library in Minneapolis
Free entrance to all Minnesota State parks, Saturday, April 26 - all day
Roseville Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harriet Alexander Nature Center in Roseville
Lakeville Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility
Mendota Heights Earth and Arbor Day Celebration, Saturday, April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Market Square Park in Mendota Heights
Richfield Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Richfield Community Center
Wood Lake Nature Center Earth Day hike, Saturday, April 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield
Family Free Fun Day: Earth Day, Sunday, April 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington
Shoreview Springfest, Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Shoreview Commons Park
Audubon Spring Festival, Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Audubon Park Recreation Center in Minneapolis
May Day 2025 at Powderhorn Park, Sunday, May 4 - all day at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis
Fridley Environmental Fun Fair, Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fridley Civic Campus
The Urban Bird Collective's Birdwatching Festival, Saturday, May 17 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington
Nature in Your Neighborhood: Signs of Spring, Saturday, May 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Penn Lake Library in Bloomington
Dodge Nature Center & Preschool: Rock the Barn, Saturday, May 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Dodge Nature Center in West Saint Paul

Past events

Many people have already contributed and connected with others at the more than 50 cleanups and Earth Day events that happened last weekend. Thank you!

UMN Environmental Justice Summit, Friday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mondale Commons, University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs in Minneapolis
Wall-E; A Clean and Green Movie Night, Friday, April 11 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Longfellow Recreation Center in Minneapolis
Eden Prairie Eco Expo, Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eden Prairie Center
Eden Prairie Park Cleanup weekend, Saturday, April 12 and Sunday April 13 - all day at parks throughout the city of Eden Prairie
Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River cleanup, Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Earth Day cleanups, Saturday, April 19 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 42 parks throughout Minneapolis
Coon Rapids Earth Month Park cleanup, Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at Lion's Coon Creek Park in Coon Rapids
Earth Day West Broadway Clean-Up, Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at US Bank Parking Lot in Minneapolis
Earth Day Community cleanup, Saturday, April 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at 1315 Valders Avenue North in Golden Valley
Earth Day at Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Harriet North Beach in Minneapolis
Lowry's Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lowry Nature Center in Victoria
Striving for Resilience: Earth Day Fair, Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka
Earth Day Clothing Swap, Saturday, April 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at Tare Market in Minneapolis
Eagan Earth Week Celebration, Saturday, April 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Trapp Farm Park in Eagan
Wargo Nature Center Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes
Earth Day nature and me journaling, Sunday, April 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Eastman Nature Center in Maple Grove
Green Up Eagan: A Community Cleanup Event, Saturday, April 19 through Friday, April 25 at Eagan City Hall, Eagan City Maintenance Facility, and Eagan Community Center
Orono cleanup day, Saturday, April 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orono Public Works building
Champlin Earth Day cleanup, Tuesday, April 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Andrews Park in Champlin
Earth Day cleanup - hosted by the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Tuesday, April 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Wilkie Unit Trailhead in Shakopee
Seeds of Engagement Community Cleanup, Thursday, April 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the intersection of Lowry Avenue North & North Oliver Avenue in Minneapolis
Edina Community Clothing Swap, Thursday, April 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Braemar Arena’s Backyard Rink in Edina
Columbia Heights Earth Day cleanup, Saturday, April 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Columbia Heights Public Library
Nokomis East Earth Day cleanup, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at 5342 25th Avenue South in Minneapolis
Plymouth drop-off days, Friday, April 25 from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility
Hopkins bulky item drop-off day, Friday, April 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hopkins Public Works building
Medina cleanup day, Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Medina Police Department
Osseo city cleanup event, Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Osseo Public Works Facility
Brooklyn Park special material drop-off day, Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park Operations facility
Bloomington Baby Gear Swap, Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bloomington Civic Plaza
City of Minnetonka clothing swap, Saturday, April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Marsh in Minnetonka