Join us at the annual river gorge Earth Day cleanup
Our work takes place on Dakota land. Learn more.
Taking place just off of West River Parkway, this cleanup is an Earth Day tradition in the Minneapolis River Gorge, part of a citywide cleanup effort organized by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. People come from throughout the local river corridor, neighborhoods and metro area — individuals, families, small churches, corporate and student or scout groups — to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the health and vitality of the Mississippi River. All are welcome! This family-friendly event provides an excellent opportunity to get outside and work together to help improve this treasured area. We've returned to this site year after year and have noticed a dramatic improvement in the area thanks to dedicated volunteers like you.
Longfellow Community Council, the local neighborhood group, supports this event. Longfellow area residents are encouraged to register! The event is also part of the Gorge Stewards program, which actively engages citizens throughout the Twin Cities in the stewardship of the national treasure that is the Mississippi River Gorge.
Accessibility
Our two locations for this cleanup begin at paved parking lots with easy access to paved and unpaved trails. Volunteers are encouraged to spread out and work wherever they feel comfortable. Paths are shared by walkers and bikers, but volunteers can spend their entire cleanup on flat, paved trails. Volunteers also have the option to stick to sidewalks and city streets.
Registration information
Advance registration for this event is not required for individuals or groups of 10 or fewer.
If you have a group of 10-20 people, please contact FMR's Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator at volunteer@fmr.org or 651.477.0925. We'll work with you to determine which cleanup site is a better fit for your group.
For groups of 20 or more, please contact Kristina Anderson, kanderson@minneapolisparks.org, to be assigned a location that will better fit your group size.
To participate, show up at 9:30 a.m. at East 36th Street & West River Parkway if you are volunteering as an individual or with a group of under 10 people; show up at East 44th Street & West River Parkway if you're with a group of 10-20. FMR staff will get you signed in and provide all the supplies. Feel free to wear your own gloves if you have them. Sturdy shoes and dressing in layers for the weather are strongly suggested.
Can't make it?
To receive the most up-to-date notices of all of our volunteer opportunities and events, sign up for our twice-monthly e-newsletter, Mississippi Messages. To receive notice of upcoming Gorge Stewards events, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@fmr.org or 651.477.0925.
Thanks to our Gorge Stewards Program partners and funders: BNSF Foundation, Hennepin County, Longfellow Community Council, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, RBC Wealth Management and Xcel Energy.