Earth Day is Tuesday April 22 2008. Several events in Minneapolis and St. Paul celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, and on the weekends before and after.
Here's a guide to what's happening in Minneapolis and St. Paul for Earth Day 2008.
Saturday April 19: 14th Annual Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up
The Watershed 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 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 19th
Cost: Free
Sunday, April 20: 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 support Minneapolis' Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up efforts.
Register online by Monday April 14, or register by mail by Saturday April 12.
Location: Lake Harriet Bandshell, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis.
Date: Sunday April 20. The Kids' Run begins at 8.45 a.m. and the 5K begins at 9 a.m.
Cost: Registration fees benefit future Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up efforts.
Sunday April 20: Wishes for the Sky, Harriet Island
Wishes for the Sky is an art event celebrating Earth Day. Kites will be flying, mobiles chiming 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.
Wishes for the Sky aims to be a zero-waste event. Last year almost 2000 people attended and only generated five pounds of trash between them. Wishes for the Sky's website has lots of tips on how to get to the event by public transportation - including how to ride on Metro Transit for free - and how to pack an environmentally-friendly picnic.
Location : Harriet Island, Downtown St. Paul
Date : 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday April 20
Cost : Free
Saturday April 19 and Sunday April 20: Earth Fest at Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo presents Earth Fest on the weekend before Earth Day. On April 19 and 20 the Zoo hosts a party for the planet celebrating all things green. There will be eco-friendly activities for all ages, music, crafts and exhibits about recycling, composting, green building and sustainable living.
Location : Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
Time: Saturday April 19 and Sunday April 20, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: Free with paid admission to the zoo: $14 for adults, discounts for seniors and children.
Saturday April 19 - Tuesday April 22: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Party for the Planet
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory hosts an Earth Day celebration for visitors to discover ways to connect to the local environment, and make a difference on a local, national and global level. There will be presentations about making a toad house, creating a rain garden, composting, recycling, and conservation talks.
The weekend is also the grand opening of the Leonard Wilkening Children's Gallery, an interactive exhibit that focuses on the Circle of Life.Location: Como Zoo and Conservatory, St. Paul
When : April 19 - April 22, During regular hours 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Cost : Free, donations accepted.
Saturday April 26: R.I.T.E. of Spring 2008, Mahtomedi
R.I.T.E. of Spring (Really Into The Earth) is Mahtomedi's Earth Day festival. Environmentally-friendly exhibitors, workshops, free electronics recycling, and a petting zoo help the whole family learn about the latest ways to be green.
Location: Mahtomedi Area District Education Center, Mahtomedi.
When : Saturday April 26, 9 a.m. - Noon.
Cost : Free. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Mahtomedi Food Shelf.
Public Transportation: Metro Transit's Go Greener Pass
Metro Transit is joining in with green celebrations. The is a free pass to get you to green events for free, like the Wishes for the Sky event, and the Living Green Expo in May on Metro Transit's buses and trains.
