As Earth Day approaches (April 22), celebrate the beauty of the Badger State with a plethora of events to help promote environmental awareness and conservation efforts. From community celebrations to volunteer clean-ups, the following are five events to help locals come together to celebrate Earth Day in Wisconsin.
April 20: Rock the Green 13th Annual Earth Day Celebration
Milwaukee
Join the zero-waste music and sustainability festival, Rock the Green 13th Annual Earth Day Celebration in Milwaukee, presented by Milwaukee Riverkeeper & City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office. This exciting event will honor Earth Day in Wisconsin from noon to 3 p.m. with live music performances from Urban Empress & The Urbanites, Sarah Fierek & The Wildflowers and Jonah Danae. The celebration, taking place at Harley-Davidson Museum, will also boast baby goat yoga, drum circles, educational tents, food trucks, a bike rally and much more to inspire environmental action.
Cost: Free.
For more information: rockthegreen.com.
April 20: Party for the Planet River Cleanup 2024
Milwaukee
Keep Milwaukee beautiful this Earth Day in Wisconsin with Milwaukee County Zoo’s Party for the Planet River Cleanup 2024. This annual event helps volunteers do their part to care for the planet with a one-day clean-up event taking place from 9 a.m. to noon. Milwaukee Riverkeeper will provide attendees with trash bags, gloves, supplies and a free T-shirt to help guests.
Cost: Free; registration is required.
For more information: milwaukeezoo.org.
April 20: Earth Day Challenge
Madison
A community-wide volunteer event in Madison, the Earth Day Challenge, organized by the City of Madison Parks, allows those celebrating Earth Day in Wisconsin to make a difference in its stunning city parks. This clean-up challenge asks volunteers to assist in picking up trash, raking, weeding and removing sticks. Over 50 parks across the area will be participating and to pick a designated park, register online. Each Earth Day Challenge will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Those who register by April 20 will receive free bags and gloves.
Cost: Free; registration is required.
For more information: cityofmadison.com.
April 21: Earth Day Celebration
Janesville
Experience the beauty of spring at Earth Day Celebration hosted by Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. This family-friendly event features live exotic animal shows, garden adventures, games for little ones, educational workshops and hands-on activities focused on environmental stewardship and gardening practices. A collection bin will be on-site for the green celebration, allowing visitors to recycle electronics or unwanted prescription medication. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person, ages 2 and up. Registration is required for exotic animal shows.
For more information: rotarybotanicalgardens.org.
April 22: Earth Day Meal
Madison
Celebrate Earth Day in Wisconsin with a sustainable meal at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Students and community members can enjoy delicious, locally sourced food while learning about the environmental and social impact of their food choices from stations including the seasonal station, local station, Indigenous station, low-carbon station, plant-forward station and water-friendly station at the university’s various dining halls. This event, taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., promotes sustainable agriculture and encourages a more conscious approach to eating.
For more information: earthfest.wisc.edu.