Get ready to go green for Earth Day

The snow has melted, the grass is starting to turn green and preparations are under way for Earth Day celebrations across the Twin Cities. Held every year on April 22, Earth Day aims to inspire appreciation for the environment and judging by the line-up of planned events, there’s going to be plenty of appreciatin’ to go around. Whether you want to take a hike, go for a jog, sit back and listen to live music or just do some old-fashioned clean-up, there’s a festival to match your mood. You might even be able to learn something while you’re at it.

Our Earth Day calendar includes lots of events, beginning April 18, but we know there are others out there. Please add your event as a comment (and we’ll pick it up and include it in the calendar) AND add your event to our community calendar. Enjoy!

April 18

Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up
What: Clean-up
When: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Parks across the Twin Cities, see website for locations

Rice Creek and Wargo Nature Center Clean-Up and Celebration
What: Clean-up and celebration that includes animals, a climbing wall, canoeing, light refreshments and much more
When: Clean-up: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; Earth Day celebrations: 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St. Lino Lakes, 55038

Bottineau Neighborhood Green 5K and Watershed Clean-Up
What: Clean-up, 5K run and other activities
When: Race: 9:00 a.m.; Watershed clean-up 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Gluek Park, 1926 Marshall Street, Minneapolis

Earth Day at Harriet Alexander Nature Center
What: Crafts, games, environmental exhibits and the annual tree planting
When: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: 2520 North Dale Street, Roseville

The Green Gala
What: An evening event displaying and selling Earth-friendly art and fashion
When: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: The Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis

Earth Day at the Midtown Global Market
What: Live music, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities and giveaways
When: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Midtown Global Market, 920 East Lake Street, Minneapolis

April 18 & 19

Earth Fest at Minnesota Zoo
What: Music, crafts and eco-friendly activities for all ages
When: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley

April 19

Minneapolis Recycle Run 5K
What: Bring old shirts and shoes to be recycled and go on a run while you’re at it
When: Kids’ Run: 8.45 a.m.; 5K: 9 a.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis

Wishes for the Sky
What: A family-friendly, public art event that promotes earth-mindfulness
When: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (rain or shine)
Where: Harriet Island, 75 W Water Street, Saint Paul

April 22

Earth Day at the Red Stag Supperclub presented by New Belgium Brewing
What: Enjoy organic foods, DJs Double Trouble, specials on New Belgium beers: Fat Tire, Mothership Whit, and Mighty Arrow, and participate in the mini bike games – including The Limbo, How Low Can You Go?, and the Paper Boy Challenge. New Belgium Brewing will have giveaways throughout the event, including a New Belgium Cruiser Bike! The event is free and zero waste.
When: 4 p.m.-dusk
Where: Red Stag Supperclub, 509 1st Ave. N.E., Minneapolis

Minneapolis Arboretum: Beyond Fossil Fuels
What: Presentation and book-signing with Joe Shuster, author of Beyond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040
When:7 p.m.
Where: MacMillan Auditorium of the Oswald Visitor Center. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is located in Chanhassen on State Hwy. 5, nine miles west of the intersection with Interstate 494. Admission is $7 adults; free for ages 15 and younger and free for members. Call 952-443-1400 for general information.

April 22, 25 & 26

Como Zoo’s Year of the Gorilla Celebration
What: Party for the planet and recycle your unwanted cell phones and ink jet and toner
When: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: 1225 Estabrook Dr, St. Paul, MN 55103

April 25

Brooklyn Center Earth Day Clean-Up
What: Clean-up
When: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Center Community Center- 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway

Blaine Community Clean-Up
What: Clean-up and nature hike
When: 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Park- 2491 125th Avenue, Blaine

R.I.T.E. of Spring 2008
What: Green workshops, green vendors and green exhibitors
When: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: 8000 75th Street North, Mahtomedi High School

Minneapolis Arboretum: Wildflower Walk
What: “Welcome Spring Wildflower Walk” with an Arboretum naturalist
When: 10:30-11:30 am.
Where: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is located in Chanhassen on State Hwy. 5, nine miles west of the intersection with Interstate 494. Admission is $7 adults; free for ages 15 and younger and free for members. Call 952-443-1400 for general information.