Living Green

Get into the Spirit of Earth Day

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
2008 Spring Parks Clean-up, Saturday, April 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
This event is a fun and effective way to improve the natural environment in our local community. If you want to volunteer for this event, call 651-266-6458 and leave a message or email environment@ci.stpaul.mn.us to sign-up.
http://www.stpaul.gov/

Electronics Drop Off
Friday, April 11 & Saturday, April 12
Drop-in family activities 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Waste Management and Sony will co-sponsor several free electronics drop off sites in the Twin Cities Metro as part of the Sony National Take Back Recycling Program. As the Industry Leader in recycling, Waste Management is proud to offer this event to all Minnesota residents. To locate a drop-off location near you, visit http://www.wmtwincities.com/.  

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board14th Annual Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up
Saturday, April 19, 9:30 a.m. - Noon
36 locations around Minneapolis
A collaborative effort between the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and the City of Minneapolis. For more information about the event or if you are interested in helping coordinate the 2008 Clean-Up, please contact Arik at 612-230-6484.
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/

MN Zoo - EarthFest
Saturday, April 19 & Sunday April, 20
Celebrate all things green at the Minnesota Zoo during EarthFest, a party for the planet, in honor of Earth Day. This weekend will highlight hands-on, eco-friendly activities for everyone. Find out how many animals at the Zoo are at risk of becoming extinct, learn more about recycling, composting, green building and sustainable living. The event will include music and crafts.
http://www.mnzoo.com/  or call 952.431.9500

The Recycle Run
Sunday, April 20, Race day registration from, 7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
The Recycle Run around Lake Harriet features a 5K Walk/Run and a Kids’ Half-Mile Run. Proceeds from the Recycle Run will benefit future Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Cleanup efforts. The first 500 pre-registered participants will receive a free ticket to a Minnesota Twins game. All pre-registered participants are guaranteed a Performance T-shirt and water bottle.
http://www.minneapolisrecyclerun.com/.

Como Zoo - Party for the Planet
Saturday, April 19-Tuesday, April 22
A party for planet Earth? What could be better than that? Como Zoo is teaming up with other AZA-accredited zoos, to host a nation-wide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level. Plus, the grand opening celebration of the Leonard Wilkening Children's Gallery - an interactive play exhibit that focuses on the Circle of Life.
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/   or call 651.487.8200

Minnesota Center for Book Arts: Make a recycled book
Tuesday, April 22, Drop-in family activities 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with MCBA by making books from recycled materials and found objects. A wide assortment of art scraps and materials will be provided. This is a great way to learn to make a variety of different book structures while also allowing your creative side to play! Free and open to all ages.
http://www.mnbookarts.org/  or call 612.215.2520.

Yard and Garden Get-Together
Saturday, April 26, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Fridley Community Center, 6085 7th Street NE
Event is free and open to the public. Learn about rain gardens, yard care and water conservation strategies.
www.ci.fridley.mn.us/parks/SNCyardgarden.htm  or call 763.572.3594.

Tips you can start on today
• Shop for organic and local foods.
• Plant a tree to shade your home, you will have the benefit of a beautiful tree and reduce the need for air conditioning.
• Check out your community’s recycling programs.
• Try to combine your errands all at once and bike and walk whenever possible.
• Change your heating and air conditioning filters regularly.
• Leave your yard clippings on the lawn or compost them.
• Buy only what you need when it comes to paint, cleaners or other chemicals.
• Conserve water by installing lo flow shower heads and minimizing your time in the shower.
• Change out your lightbulbs to compact fluorescent lights to conserve up to 75 percent of the energy.
• Choose recycled products whenever possible.
• Recycle, recycle, recycle...

7th Annual Living Green Expo
Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4
10:00 am - 5:00 pm - both days, State Fair Grounds
The Living Green Expo is a free, annual event taking place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The Expo provides information and products to help Minnesotans improve the environmental and social impacts of their day-to-day living. Admission is free.
http://www.livinggreen.org/

April 25th is Arbor Day - MN Landscape Arboretum
Saturday, April 19, 10:30 - 11:30
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will offer a one-hour Earth Day
Wilderness Walk with naturalist Richard Gjertson. Participants are asked to meet in the Ordway parking lot at the Arboretum. This event, co hosted by the Nature Conservancy, is free with Arboretum admission.
Tuesday, April 22
The Arboretum is celebrating this special day by extending free admission to all visitors driving hybrid vehicles, plus all carpoolers and bikers.
http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/  or call 952.443.1400

04/04/08