Greening Minnesota - April

I told you there would be a new Greening Minnesota edition for April early in the month. It's a good thing too, because there are some events coming up that you should know about if you're interested in learning more about sustainable living. Let's get right into it.

There doesn't appear to be a lot of information on it, but there is apparently a Green Event and Expo tomorrow, Monday April 6.  The information I do have is that Sandra Nussbaum, a waste abatement specialist with Hennepin County Environmental Services, will discuss how to reduce, reuse, recycle in your home or business and visitors will be able to see exhibits, demonstrations and more. Sounds like a Green Event and Expo to me!

The next events take place in honor of Earth Day! Mark your calendars for the 15th Annual Earth Day Watershed Cleanup on Saturday, April 18, and the second annual Recycle Run around Lake Harriet on Sunday, April 19.

The Earth Day Watershed Cleanup will be held from 9:30 a.m.-noon on April 18, at 41 cleanup sites located throughout Minneapolis. Volunteers are welcome to participate and no pre-registration is required, but for groups of 20 people or more please contact Arik Rudolph at 612-230-6484. The 2008 event at 36 locations drew over 2,800 volunteers who gathered over 22,500 pounds of trash.

The Recycle Run around Lake Harriet takes place on Sunday, April 19. It features a 5K Run and a Kids’ Half Mile Run. Presented by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis, benefits future Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Cleanup efforts. In 2008 over 450 runners took part in the event.

At the Minnesota Zoo, party out with the kids at EarthFest: Party for the Planet from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19. This event features hands-on eco-friendly activities, education about recycling and sustainable liveing, live music and craft activities. EarthFest is free with zoo admission, which ranges from $8 - $14.

If you live on the eastern side of the Twin Cities, there are Earth Day activities at the Tamarack Nature Center in Woodbury, also on April 18.  Participate in earth-friendly games and activities,including EcoArt demonstrations, family water walk, naturalist-led programs, music and more. The events takes place from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

For a particularly creative and fun Earth Day experience, mosey on down to Wishes for the Sky at Harriet Island on April 19, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Wishes for the Sky is inspired by the Chinese tradition of flying wishes on kites, incorporating music, sculpture, poetry, interactive sound collage and visual arts. This event is free and takes place at Plato Blvd. and Justus Ohage Blvd. in St. Paul.

On the Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour April 25 & 26, there is one extra special addition this year. That is the 4307 Wentworth Ave. S. home mentioned in March's Greening Minnesota. It was torn down to its foundation, then rehabilitated into a three-bedroom, two-bath, energy-efficient house with a geothermal heating and cooling system, low-petroleum asphalt shingles, energy-efficient appliances, formaldehyde-free lumber, low-toxin paints and recycled products. If you're interested in doing some eco-friendly remodeling or want to build or buy a green house, this may be a home to check out.

If you live more toward the western side of the Twin Cities, the Earth Day and Arbor Day Open House from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on April 25 might be of interest to you. At the Westwood Nature Center at 8300 W. Franklin Av. St. Louis Park, learn how to make a positive impact on our planet with local organizations. Live performance by Kidtime with Rachel.

Finally, I know this is happening in May, but I'll mention the Living Green Expo now and remind you later because it happens so early in the month. The Living Green Expo is a free, annual event on May 2 & 3 that provides information and products to help Minnesotans improve the environmental and social impacts of their day-to-day living. The Expo features over 200 exhibitors of products, services, and information, along with workshops on a variety of sustainability and green living topics. Expo attractions include music, art, food, demonstrations, and activities for youth and children.

Greening Minnesota - March