Earth Day for Families

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As spring gets into full swing, Twin Cities residents pour into local green spaces to take in a precious few months of verdant abundance. In celebration of this Earth Day, April 22, spend a few hours with your fam in stewardship of your favorite nature spot.

Dodge Nature Center Cleanup (St. Paul)

5:30 – 8 p.m., Thursday, April 21

Make Dodge Nature Center squeaky clean on Earth Day’s eve.

Nature Hike and Wildflower Walk at Eloise Butler Garden and Sanctuary (Mpls.)

Early evenings, April 19-24

Learn to spot and identify local flora and fauna on naturalist-guided walks just before the sun goes down. Visit the event page for specifics.

Citywide Spring Cleanup (St. Paul)

9 – 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23

Bring the fam to beautify one of seven St. Paul locations during this 30th annual Earth Day event. It’s a come-when-you-can, leave-when-you-must situation, so you can volunteer for 20 minutes or two hours.

5K Bee Run/Walk and River Cleanup (Mpls.)

9 a.m. – 12 noon, Saturday, April 23

A bee-themed race for any pace next to the Mississippi River followed by a cleanup along the course. Games, prizes, and adults running in bee costumes! $35 advance registration, $40 day-of. Kids 6 years and younger are free.

Earth Day Cleanup 2016 (Mpls.)

9 a.m. – 12 noon, Saturday, April 23

The classic Earth Day activity: BYO gloves and pick up trash at one of 36 Minneapolis Parks locations.

Friends of the Mississippi River Earth Day Cleanup (Mpls.)

9:30 a.m. – 12 noon, Saturday, April 23

The Mississippi River Gorge attracts countless visitors year-round. It’s not all manicured trails and scenic overlooks, though: It also serves as a functional habitat to dozens of bird species and the source of drinking water for the entire metro area – all the more reason to help keep it pristine.

Earth Day Celebration (Roseville)

10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, April 23

There will be a walking parade, planting activities, and free tree seedlings for the first 200 families. Oh, and cake FTW.

Party for the Planet at Como Park Zoo (St. Paul)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, April 23

Entertainment and educational programs with an earth-friendly spin are the focus of this annual event.

Planet Party at Mississippi Market (St. Paul)

11 a.m., Saturday, April 23

Dig into samples from Earth-friendly vendors, take home a free tree sapling, plant seeds with the kids, enter to win a bike, and more.

Earth Day Celebration (Richfield)

1 – 4 p.m., Sunday, April 24

Weave through the park at Wood Lake Nature Center on an Earth Day-themed scavenger hunt. Also on hand: snacks and an art project.