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Earth Day and Arbor Day are both coming up in April, and there are many events planned locally to celebrate our community and environment.
 Contribute to the Mighty Mississippi Cleanup Challenge
The Mississippi River, and all the lakes, rivers, and streams in Hennepin County, make this a great place to live. We have been challenged by our downstream neighbor, Goodhue County, to participate in the Mighty Mississippi Cleanup Challenge. Help us showcase the commitment to keeping the environment healthy by picking up litter in celebration of Earth Day.
Learn and connect at community events
Beyond participating in a cleanup, you can celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day by helping plant trees, joining a bike ride, planting for pollinators, learning about local sustainability resources, participating in a clothing swap, going on a nature hike, and much more! Explore all the opportunities on our Earth Day and Arbor Day events map.
 Other events happening this Earth Month
April is Earth Month and it’s time to celebrate the budding trees, clean water, and fresh Minnesota air. There’s plenty of events happening across our county in the next few months. Get involved!
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month! In 2024, many of you were out and about volunteering in the community. Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge.
2024 highlights
- 26 new graduates (859 total since 2011)
- 847 hours volunteered
- Ten CRAs completed their 30 hours in 2024
- Several CRAs submitted more than 50 hours each
- 6,200 residents were directly contacted by or impacted by the work of Community Recycling Ambassadors, and CRAs helped out at events attended by nearly 23,000 residents.
Save the date
We want to celebrate YOU. Save the date for Monday, June 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a hybrid CRA appreciation event. We will pair this appreciation event with a few county-led presentations. This is your chance to get up to speed on programs in Hennepin County. Let us know what you’d like to hear about!
Food and drink will be provided. Other details will be shared at a later time. Contact Kirsten with questions at kirsten.wahlberg@hennepin.us.
Minneapolis Garden Tool Swaps
Saturdays, May 3, May 10, and May 16 - various locations and various times
Organics tabling at Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy Family Night
Thursday, May 15 from 4:45 to 7 p.m.
Brooklyn Park Academy, 6100 109th Avenue North, Champlin 55316
One to two CRAs are requested to staff a table sharing information on organics. This school emphasizes environmental science and sustainability, and the City of Champlin is going to start offering curbside composting in July.
Minnesota Toy Library
Multiple shifts and times available at Minneapolis locations. Two to three volunteers needed to help at toy library lending events. Sign up online.
Mill City Farmers Market Zero Waste Shift
Saturdays during the summer from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Mill City Farmers Market, 750 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis 55401
Help educate visitors about compostable materials and recyclables, manage composting stations, and collect data for the program.
Thank you to the following CRAs who have completed their hours or gone above-and-beyond these past few months:
30+ hours
- Patricia Garland
- Cara Haberman
See the volunteer hours update (PDF) to check your current hours and remember to report your hours by filling out the Community Recycling Ambassador volunteer hours reporting form.
We are offering more opportunities for people interested in waste reduction and sustainability to get familiar with the local community. Community-builder events are aligned with the current round of the Zero Waste Challenge program and will be available to current or past Zero Waste Challenge households as well as Community Recycling Ambassadors! The next opportunity is upcoming on April 8:
Minneapolis Toy Library event
Tuesday, April 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Help the Minnesota Toy Library weigh all the toys in their inventory at their South Minneapolis location so they can accurately report on waste prevention goals! Snacks provided, kids welcome. This community builder event will count toward your volunteer hours.
RSVP to attend.
This section will feature commonly asked questions, things that have come up in discussion on the Facebook group, or other notable items to share.
Congrats to the Spring 2025 class grads! ♻️👏
 
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