Earth Day approaches; dig in with these ideas

Friday — Earth Day — is one to appreciate and attend to our collective home. Maybe you have plans this week or weekend to plant a tree or help pick up trash at a local park or recommit to living greener in some way.

And what of holding every day as one for treating Earth with care? Words from a former titan of environmentalism in Minnesota resonate still. Wrote Sigurd Olson: "Without love of the land, conservation lacks meaning or purpose, for only in a deep and inherent feeling for the land can there be dedication in preserving it."

There are a number of community gatherings in the metro area, from Orono to Maplewood to Lakeville. Check municipality and parks websites for information. Here are a few:

Minneapolis

Citywide at parks and watersheds, 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, 40 locations, organized by the city's Park and Recreation Board and Solid Waste and Recycling.

Sites and more information at bit.ly/mplsearth.

St. Paul

Citywide at parks, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday, seven drop-in sites

Registration and more info at bit.ly/stpearth.

Mississippi River gorge

9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Minneapolis. Go to either of two locations: 36th Street E. and West River Parkway, or 44th St. E. and West River Parkway, organized by Friends of the Mississippi River. More info at fmr.org.

Lino Lakes

Cleanup (10 a.m.-noon Saturday) and family event (12:30-3 p.m.) Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St. Info at anokacounty.us.

Roseville

Celebration, including plantings and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Harriet Alexander Nature Center.

Info at cityofroseville.com.

Rochester

EarthFest Expo, promoting sustainable living, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Mayo Civic Center Auditorium

Hastings

Birding festival, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, organized by the center and Hastings Environmental Protectors.

Cost is $5 per person. Signup required. Call the center at 651-437-4359.