Love Your Mother on Earth Day

(Fotolia)

The world’s largest environmental movement, Earth Day Network, began its activism on behalf of Planet Earth in 1970. The organization’s mission is “to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment, address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations.”

The organization is the impetus behind the annual Earth Day, April 22, but celebrated all weekend long. For a list of Twin Cities events, includes birding festivals, toddler activities, Earth Day cleanups and more, go here. Meanwhile, here are some of the Earth Day events we’re planning to attend.

 

PlantMaker Studio, Milkweed, Monarchs & More

Sunday, April 22, Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Free with Gate Admission, Members free, non-members $15 for ages 16 and up, kids 15 and under always free

Learning Center, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska

arboretum.umn.edu

Last weekend’s freak April blizzard (the result of melting polar ice caps wreaking havoc with the jet stream) meant the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum had to rearrange its Earth Day plans. Outdoor activities were moved indoors. But because this is the Arb, after all, there’s plenty of wonder to choose from. During this event, discover the plants that nourish and support your favorite Minnesota butterflies. Plant rose milkweed to take home, a favorite for monarch butterflies to lay their eggs on, and start your own monarch caterpillar nursery in your garden. Zoom in with microscopes for a close-up of butterflies and nectar flowers. Find out how to participate in citizen science programs to advance understanding about the migratory monarch population. Then head to the Arb’s Bee and Pollinator Center to discover more about the bees and butterflies that ensure our food supply.

(Deb Lyngdal)

Party for the Planet

Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Free but donations accepted

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, St. Paul

comozooconservatory.org

It’s your last chance to check out the Spring Flower Show! Plus, you can check out Xcel Energy’s 110-square-foot Tiny House, bursting with energy efficiency, and the Xcel Energy Light Board, which demonstrates the valuable ways in which LED lighting saves energy. Drop old cell phones into the recycling bin in the Visitor Center. The Conservatory partners with Eco-Cell for this recycling effort to prevent toxic batteries from ending up in landfills and reduce the need to mine coltran, a product used in making cell phones and small handheld electronics that is often illegally mined in an area of Africa that is home to endangered gorillas. Then take in the Polar Bear Program, Story Time: One Plastic Bag, gardener talks on orchids, and the gorilla program.

Earth Day Recycling Event

Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Junkluggers of Minneapolis- St Paul, Brooklyn Park

Get rid of those old, obsolete or unwanted electronics and appliances the right way: Recycle them! Junkluggers is just one organization hosting recycling events. They’ll accept most items for free. There is a small fee for stuff like small household appliances, TVs, cable boxes, printers, and microwaves. At the same time, Junkluggers will be hosting a warehouse sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting charity. For more info, go here.

 (Courtesy Green Expo)

Green Expo: Creating a Sustainable Community Together

Saturday, April 21, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lyndale Community School, Minneapolis

Don’t forget to bring your own refillable, non-plastic water bottle. Eliminating one-use plastic—especially all of those water bottles polluting our oceans and sea life—is a number-one priority for many environmental organizations. Get more planet-friendly sustainable living tips and resources from local organizations, businesses, and zero-waste bloggers at this event. Bonus: The first 50 people at the event receive a free Chinook Book coupon book with hundreds of coupons for local, sustainable businesses like Seward Co-op, Eco-Garden Supply, Egg/Plant Urban Farm Supply, and Mother Earth Gardens.

 

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