UPDATE: Please confirm with host organizations about the status of listed events. Many in-person events have been cancelled, or there may be virtual options for some events.
See our Upcoming Events page, or check our community calendar below for upcoming green community events in Minnesota, or submit your own event!
Events in April–May 2019
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- Green Coffee Talk: Green Buying Habits
Green Coffee Talk: Green Buying Habits Green Coffee Talk: Green Buying Habits
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April 2, 2019Learn where and how to find eco-friendly clothes, food, household products and more! Shopping with an environmental focus can be easy if you follow a few basic principles. Come learn, share and collaborate with other environmentalist!
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- Landscaping for Clean Water Workshop
Landscaping for Clean Water Workshop Landscaping for Clean Water Workshop
April 9, 2019The City of Burnsville will again be hosting a Landscaping for Clean Water Introductory Workshop on March 12 or April 9. At these workshops, you can see many examples of beautiful raingardens and shoreline restorations that help clean up local ponds and lakes and stabilize shoreline erosion problems. You will also learn about dozens of native plants that can enhance flowerbeds and provide habitat for butterflies. As an added incentive, you will learn about financial incentives from Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District ($250 grant) and City of Burnsville (up to $1,000 grant) for these types of projects.
What: Landscaping for Clean Water Workshop
Who: Burnsville/Dakota County Residents
When: Tuesday, March 12 OR Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m.(Check website for other workshop date options available for Burnsville residents in neighboring cities) Registration is required.
Cost: FREE – Registration required
Where: Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MNRegister at: http://www.dakotacountyswcd.org/cleanwater.html or call 651-480-7777
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- Minnesota Water Action Day 2019, Toy Lending Event
Minnesota Water Action Day 2019 Minnesota Water Action Day 2019
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April 10, 2019Join us for Water Action Day 2019, a day of public action and advocacy to let lawmakers know we care about our water. Help #ProtectOurWater!
This all-day event includes:
• free breakfast and lunch
• buses from Greater Minnesota
• briefings on Minnesota's water issues
• small-group meetings with your legislator, complete with quick training and support (We make it easy. We promise!)
• plus the ever-popular Clean Water Rally in the afternoon (Past speakers include Winona LaDuke, Gov. Mark Dayton and Anne Bancroft. We look forward to announcing this year's lineup soon!)
Find out more and register at wateractionday2019.eventbrite.comRegister at wateractionday2019.eventbrite.com
Toy Lending Event Toy Lending Event
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April 10, 2019Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
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- Seeding a New Prairie, South Minneapolis Green Fair
Seeding a New Prairie Seeding a New Prairie
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April 13, 2019Pre-registration is required:
https://www.greatrivergreening.org/events/seeding-a-new-prairie/Volunteers will carefully seed a new prairie reconstruction at Ravine Parkway by hand-sowing and raking in seeds collected by volunteers last fall. In this fast developing area, prairie is an ideal habitat; the plants’ deep roots hold soil and filter rainwater before it enters the Mississippi River.
Open to all ages, children must be supervised.
Light breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided.Partners & Funders: South Washington Watershed District, Outdoor Heritage Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 3M Foundation, Andersen Corporate Foundation, and St. Croix Valley Foundation.
Some considerations:
• Difficulty level of restoration task: Moderate
• We supply: Tools and equipment (gloves, shovels, safety glasses, etc.), drinking water, and all training
• This event will occur rain or shine – wear boots in case of muddy conditionsPre-registration is required. You will received a confirmation after we add you to the list.
Buy TicketsSouth Minneapolis Green Fair South Minneapolis Green Fair
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April 13, 2019A free, family-friendly event for an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Visit with environmental organizations and groups, listen to special presentations from experts on everything from environmentally friendly decluttering to rain gardens, and get your questions answered in a friendly atmosphere. More information at bit.ly/SMGreenFair. Hosted by Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, Longfellow Community Council, and Standish Ericsson Neighborhood Association.
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- Earth Day Plogging / Cleanup with Fjallraven, Join us for the annual River Gorge Earth Day cleanup
Earth Day Plogging / Cleanup with Fjallraven Earth Day Plogging / Cleanup with Fjallraven
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April 20, 2019Plogging: the mash up of jogging and the Swedish "plocka upp" or pick up. Meaning to pick up trash while spending time in the outdoors. Since Fjällräven was founded in 1960, we have been inspiring people to get outside. Building on our love of the outdoors, Fjällräven is hosting plogging events across North America. Cleaning up the environment is one way we can all honor Earth Day. Join your nearest brand center on Saturday, April 20th to plog with your local community.
Join us for the annual River Gorge Earth Day cleanup Join us for the annual River Gorge Earth Day cleanup
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April 20, 2019Taking place just off of West River Parkway, this family-friendly cleanup is an Earth Day tradition in the Minneapolis River Gorge. We've returned to this site year after year and have noticed a dramatic improvement to the area thanks to dedicated volunteers like you! To participate, simply show up at either E 36th St & W River Parkway or E 44th St & W River Parkway at 9:30 am on April 20 to sign-in with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) staff. We'll provide all of the supplies, however, if you have your own gloves feel free to bring them along. Sturdy shoes are strongly suggested as well as dressing in layers for the weather.
Learn more at https://fmr.org/events/2019/04/20/join-us-annual-minneapolis-earth-day-cleanup.
Advanced registration for this event is not required, however, if you have a group of 10-20 people, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore, akilgore@fmr.org or 651.222.2193 x31. For groups of 20+ please contact Erica Chua, echua@minneapolisparks.org or 612-230-6479 to be assigned a location that will better fit your group size. -
- Pledge to pull garlic mustard at Crosby Farm Park
Pledge to pull garlic mustard at Crosby Farm Park Pledge to pull garlic mustard at Crosby Farm Park
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April 23, 2019A natural oasis in the heart of the city, Crosby Farm Regional Park is nestled at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Enjoy the beauty of early spring at this riverside park while helping protect native plants beneficial to our local wildlife and waters at this annual tradition on Tuesday, April 23, from 6-8 pm.
Alongside Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) staff, volunteers will help protect important members of the native plant community by removing the extremely invasive plant garlic mustard, then make the pledge to return to the area to continue this much-needed work.
Please note that we ask all registrants at this particular event to sign a Pledge to Pull, promising to remove garlic mustard in this area of Crosby Park in the weeks following this training and evening pull.
Thanks to continued volunteer efforts throughout the years, we've been able to see slow but steady improvement in the ephemeral patch, and have expanded the volunteer restoration work areas to include the Crosby lakeshore!
All are welcome, however, capacity is limited and registration is required. Learn more and register at https://fmr.org/events/2019/04/23/pledge-pull-garlic-mustard-crosby-farm-parkTo learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/04/23/pledge-pull-garlic-mustard-crosby-farm-park
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- Toy Lending Event, Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op Info Session
Toy Lending Event Toy Lending Event
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April 24, 2019Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op Info Session Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op Info Session
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April 24, 2019Interested in small scale solar? Come learn more about the Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op! Homeowners & small businesses across Minneapolis and St. Louis Park can join the Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op. Join us for a free information session to learn about solar energy, as well as how the co-op simplifies the process of going solar while ensuring participants receive a quality installation at a good price.
All are welcome!
Buy Tickets -
- Arbor Day Forest Restoration
Arbor Day Forest Restoration Arbor Day Forest Restoration
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April 27, 2019Join Great River Greening for our first public event at this 67-acre city park in Rosemount! Carroll’s Woods/Schwarz Pond Park features both paved and natural trails amidst the oak forest. Volunteers will clear buckthorn in the first phase to transform the understory into a healthy natural habitat.
Open to all ages, children must be supervised.
Light breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided.Partners and Funders: City of Rosemount and Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Some considerations:
• Difficulty level of restoration task: Easy to Moderate (Depends on work unit)
• We supply: Tools and equipment (gloves, shovels, safety glasses, etc.), drinking water, and all training
• This event will occur rain or shine -
- Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op Info Session
Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op Info Session Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op Info Session
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April 29, 2019Interested in small scale solar? Come learn more about the Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op! Homeowners & small businesses across Minneapolis and St. Louis Park can join the Minneapolis Solar and EV Charger Co-op. Join us for a free information session to learn about solar energy, as well as how the co-op simplifies the process of going solar while ensuring participants receive a quality installation at a good price.
Free event! All Minneapolis, Saint Louis Park, or interested MN residents and small businesses are welcome!
Buy Tickets -
- Pledge to pull garlic mustard and knapweed at Pine Bend Bluffs SNA
Pledge to pull garlic mustard and knapweed at Pine Bend Bluffs SNA Pledge to pull garlic mustard and knapweed at Pine Bend Bluffs SNA
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May 1, 2019Located just 20 minutes south of St. Paul, Pine Bend Scientific and Natural Area is home to some of the best views of the Upper Mississippi River and is a welcome respite from the bustle of the cities.
After a short but steep hike, volunteers will work closely with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) staff to remove invasive species on May 1, 2019 from 6-8 pm. We'll be focusing our efforts handpulling garlic mustard and spotted knapweed in this award-winning restoration area.
Please note that we encourage all registrants at this particular event to sign a Pledge to Pull, promising to remove garlic mustard and spotted knapweed in the designated area at Pine Bend Bluffs SNA in the weeks following this training and evening pull.
All are welcome, however, capacity is limited and registration is required. To sign up and receive directions to the meeting spot, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/05/01/pledge-pull-garlic-mustard-and-knapweed-pine-bend-bluffs-sna -
- Green Coffee Talk: Green Spring Cleaning
Green Coffee Talk: Green Spring Cleaning Green Coffee Talk: Green Spring Cleaning
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May 7, 2019Spring is finally upon us so it's time to purge our homes and deep clean that difficult spot you've been avoiding all winter! Join us to learn about eco-friendly cleaning products, how to part ways with your unused items and where donate your junk. Also we'll walk you through the process of making your own eco-friendly cleaner!
**MAKE A FREE ALL-PURPOSE DISINFECTANT CLEANER**
RSVP on Facebook
Buy Tickets -
- Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event Toy Lending Event
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May 8, 2019Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
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- Help pull weedy invasive plants at Riverside Park's first volunteer event
Help pull weedy invasive plants at Riverside Park's first volunteer event Help pull weedy invasive plants at Riverside Park's first volunteer event
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May 9, 2019Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) on Thursday, May 9 from 6-8 pm for a volunteer work night at St. Paul Park's Riverside Park. This site provides much-needed habitat and resources for local critters of all kinds, and serves as an oasis along the Mississippi River flyway for migratory birds.
Alongside FMR staff, volunteers will focus on clearing out pesky weedy invasive plants, primarily narrowleaf bittercress and garlic mustard. These plants spread quickly and infest the forest floor, outcompeting native species and decreasing local biodiversity.
We'll provide the tools and training. All are welcome however, capacity is limited and registration is required. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/05/09/help-pull-weedy-invasive-plants-riverside-park. -
- Anoka County Master Gardener Plant Sale
Anoka County Master Gardener Plant Sale Anoka County Master Gardener Plant Sale
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May 14, 2019U of M Anoka County Extension Plant
Annuals, Perennials, Veggies, Herbs, Native Plants and More!!!
Offering Affordable, healthy plants along with Master Gardener support to answer your gardening questions. Tuesday, May 14th, 3pm-7pm & Wednesday, May 15th, 9am-1pm.Free, open to the public
Buy Tickets -
- Help restore the recently protected William H. Houlton Conservation
Help restore the recently protected William H. Houlton Conservation Help restore the recently protected William H. Houlton Conservation
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May 15, 2019Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) staff and volunteers for a lovely spring evening on May 15, from 6-8 pm, furthering restoration work at the recently protected William H. Houlton Conservation Area (a.k.a. Houlton Farm).
FMR staff and ecologists will provide a brief introduction to the site and an overview of how to identify and pull the weedy invasive plants we'll be targeting. By removing these species we will be making way for important native plants that have been crowded out by these aggressive invaders. Depending on the spring weather, some fence removal, trash clean-up, and other restoration tasks may be needed as well.
All are welcome, and as always, all training, gloves, and necessary tools will be provided. However, registration is required and capacity is limited. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/05/15/get-your-hands-dirty-%E2%80%93-help-restore-recently-protected-william-h-houltonTo learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/05/15/get-your-hands-dirty-%E2%80%93-help-restore-recently-protected-william-h-houlton
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- Burnsville Native Plant Market, Plant shrubs at Heritage Village Park
Burnsville Native Plant Market Burnsville Native Plant Market
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May 18, 2019Native wildflowers, ferns and grasses will be for sale from multiple vendors. This is a farmers market style event and each vendor operates their own market stall and is paid separately. Some vendors accept cash or checks only. Open rain or shine. More information available at www.burnsville.org/NativePlants.
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Plant shrubs at Heritage Village Park Plant shrubs at Heritage Village Park
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May 18, 2019Located just 15 minutes south of downtown St. Paul in Inver Grove Heights, Heritage Village Park is a 50-acre site along the banks of Mississippi River. In 2005, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) wrote a natural resource management plan to help guide restoration of this former rail yard. Today, the park has over 30 acres of restored, native prairie, as well as areas of floodplain forest along the Mississippi River.
Join us for a morning of planting on Saturday, May 18, from 9 to 11 am. Long-term restoration will include removal of invasive shrubs in the floodplain forest, as well as the addition of native bur oak trees to the prairie area. This work will help to return the site to oak savanna, its historic natural community. Oak savanna is one of Minnesota’s most imperiled habitats, occurring one one-tenth of one percent of its historic coverage.
All are welcome, however, space is limited. No experience is needed, all tools, gloves and training will be provided. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/05/18/plant-shrubs-heritage-village-park -
- Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event Toy Lending Event
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May 22, 2019Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
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- Garlic mustard removal at the Vermilion AMA
Garlic mustard removal at the Vermilion AMA Garlic mustard removal at the Vermilion AMA
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May 23, 2019Join us on Thursday, May 23 from 6-8 pm for an evening garlic mustard pull in the oak woodlands bordering the Vermillion River, a cold prairie stream in the heart of Dakota County and a major tributary of the Mississippi River.
After a brief introduction and training, volunteers will help protect important members of the native plant community by removing the extremely invasive plant garlic mustard. Although a serious threat, garlic mustard is not only easy to identify but quick to pull by hand, resulting in very visible progress over the course of this event. Volunteers may also be asked to assist with other restoration tasks as needed.
All are welcome, however, capacity is limited and registration required. All supplies and training will be provided and volunteers will work closely with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) staff. This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, helping Vermillion River Watershed residents learn about the local watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/05/23/garlic-mustard-removal-vermillion-ama
