Earth Day is Friday April 22 2011. Several events in Minneapolis and St. Paul celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, and on the weekends before and after.
Here's a guide to what's happening in Minneapolis and St. Paul for Earth Day 2011.
Saturday April 9: 2011 St. Paul Earth Day Clean Up
St. Paul's annual Citywide Spring Cleanup takes place a little before Earth Day. Register (for free) and then you can pick up supplies like trash bags and gloves one of four locations, and help pick up trash there, or at your local park.
Location: St. Paul Parks. Pick up supplies at Como Park, Phalen Park, Riverview Economic Development Association, or Distric 9 Community Council Office
Date: April 9. Pick up cleanup supplies between 8.30 am - 9 am.
Cost: Free
Saturday April 16: 2011 Minneapolis Earth Day Clean Up
The annual clean up is a long-running tradition in the city of Minneapolis. Volunteers gather on Saturday morning at Minneapolis' parks, lakes and the Mississippi River to clean up trash and debris.
Bags, gloves, and refreshments are provided for volunteers. No registration is required, just show up at any of the clean up sites between 9:30 a.m. and noon and help keep Minneapolis beautiful.
Location: List of Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up Locations
Date : 9.30 a.m. until 12 noon, Saturday April 17
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 16: Bottineau Neighborhood Watershed Clean Up, Gluek Park
The clean up of Gluek Park is part of the City of Minneapolis' Earth Day clean up events, and the Bottineau neighborhood adds art activities and entertainment, and participants will be able to meet some wild animals courtesy of Eco Education.
Location: Gluek Park, 1926 Marshall Street, Minneapolis
Date : Watershed clean-up 10 a.m. until 12 noon, Saturday April 16
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 16: Earth Day at the Midtown Global Market
The Midtown Global Market celebrates Earth Day with local farmers, green experts, and a recycled art fair. Cooking demonstrations, green exhibitors, local farmers, live music, children's activities and giveaways all day at the Market.
Location: Midtown Global Market, 920 East Lake Street, Minneapolis
Date : 12 noon - 4 p.m., Saturday April 16
Cost: Free.
Sunday, April 17: Minneapolis Recycle Run 5K
Run off the winter cobwebs at Lake Harriet, and support the environment. The Recycle Run 5K Walk/Run and a Kid's Half-Mile Run supports Minneapolis' Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up efforts.
Bring old training shoes and running shirts to be recycled, and be entered to win prizes.Location: Lake Harriet Bandshell, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis.
Date: Sunday April 17. The Kids' Run begins at 8.45 a.m. and the 5K begins at 9 a.m.
Cost: Registration fees for the race benefit future Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up efforts. The kids' run, for under 11s, is free.
Friday April 22: Earth Day at the Red Stag Supper Club
The Red Stag Supper Club, the first LEED Certified restaurant in Minneapolis, invites you to breakfast with the Land Stewardship Project on Earth Day. All proceeds from breakfasts between 8 am and noon will be donated to the LSP. The Land Stewardship Project will give a presentation on their conservation work at 8 am, 9 am, and 11 am.
Location: The Red Stag Supper Club, 501 First Avenue North, Minneapolis
Date: Friday April 22, breakfast served 8 am - noon.
Cost: Your breakfast purchase, which will be donated to the LSP. A portion of profits from the rest of the day will also be donated to the LSP.
Saturday April 23: Earth Day at Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville
Harriet Alexander Nature Center in Roseville opened on Earth Day in 1990. Since then, they have celebrated Earth Day, and this year the Nature Center has family crafts, games, environmental exhibits, and the annual tree planting ceremony.
Location : Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville
Time: Saturday April 23, 10 a.m. - 2.30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Saturday April 30: Earth Day at Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes
Anoka Parks celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day at the Wargo Nature Center. Outdoor activities like climbing on their climbing wall, and canoeing, art activities, light refreshments, and an Earth Day Fair featuring local organizations and businesses and their earth-friendly services and products.
Location : Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes
Time: Saturday April 30, 12.30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Saturday April 30: R.I.T.E. of Spring 2010, Mahtomedi
R.I.T.E. of Spring (Really Into The Earth). is Mahtomedi's Earth Day festival. Environmentally-friendly exhibitors, an eco-boutique with green vendors, free weatherization strips and water faucet aerators, and workshops help the whole family learn about the latest ways to be green.
Location: Century College, West campus Gymnasium, Mahtomedi.
When : Saturday April 30, 10.30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cost : Free.
Friday April 22 - Sunday April 24: Como Zoo's Party for the Planet
Como Zoo celebrates Earth Day with an annual party. This year's theme is Cats and Kilowatts, sponsored by Xcel Energy. Como Zoo's annual Party for the Planet gives families the opportunity to see lions and tigers, visit with zoo keepers, and participate in family activities and entertainment.
Location: Como Zoo and Conservatory, St. Paul
When : April 22, 23, 24, During the zoo's regular hours of 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Cost : Free, donations accepted.
On Hiatus for 2011: Wishes for the Sky, Harriet Island
Wishes for the Sky is an art event celebrating Earth Day. Since 2007, kites fly, mobiles chime in the wind, and participants will be invited to send wishes for the earth, for people, for anything they want to the sky. The event is inspired by ancient Chinese traditions of flying wishes on kites.
The festival is taking a break for 2011, but plan to be back for Earth Day in 2012.
Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8: Living Green Expo
A free, family-friendly event packed with environmentally-friendly exhibitors, and workshops to inspire living greener all year round. Demonstrations, vendors, family activities, and the latest environmentally friendly technology at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Location: Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
When : Saturday May 7, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m, and Sunday May 8, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost : Free.
Public Transportation: Metro Transit's Go Greener Pass
Metro Transit is joining in with green celebrations. The Go Greener pass is a free pass to get you to the Living Green Expo in May on Metro Transit's buses and trains.
