Earth Day and beyond: Celebrate and steward the river this spring!
Whether you're looking to get outside, join an indoor event or volunteer online, FMR offers many opportunities to help the river this Earth Day and beyond!
Spring and Earth Day will be here before we know it! Join the big traditional cleanup or celebrate throughout the season at volunteer habitat restoration, education and advocacy events (in-person or online).
Join the Earth Day cleanup
As part of the larger citywide Minneapolis Earth Day cleanup on Saturday, April 22, the river gorge cleanup has become an annual tradition. Hundreds of people from nearby neighborhoods and community groups come together to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the health and vitality of the Mississippi River.
You can also stay a bit longer to take part in our advocacy art build and picnic. You'll be able to make posters, fish sculptures and other art, while enjoying some food and drinks. Both events are free and family-friendly.
Schedule your storm drain stenciling outing
May-October, we stencil storm drains on St. Paul streets with educational messages. Storm drain stenciling is a great activity for families, clubs, classes and groups to get outside and help the Mississippi River. We also offer kits that make it easy for groups of 20 or fewer to volunteer independently.
Beyond Earth Day: help restore habitat
Earth Day is important, but we often need helping hands at later spring habitat restoration events. We particularly need volunteers in May and June at natural areas around the Twin Cities! See our events listings or sign up for Mississippi Messages to receive a monthly event calendar.
Volunteers are welcome to participate in one event, or several to become FMR SuperVolunteers.
Advocate for the river, Earth Day and every day
Opportunities for advocates to celebrate Earth Day are still in development. Sign up as a River Guardian to receive invitations to in-person events (such as rallies or happy hours) or online advocacy events this Earth Day and beyond.
Help the river all year
We hope you'll celebrate the river with us this spring, in whatever ways work for you! If you're looking for even more ways to help the river, here are 30 more ideas (in honor of FMR's 30th anniversary) throughout the year.
Whether it's through volunteering, advocating, donating or taking action at home, we're grateful for all you do. Thanks for caring for our metro Mississippi River!
