Minnesota sales, cleanups and other events to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day

Several businesses and organizations are hosting events around Minnesota this weekend in honor of Earth Day, which falls on Monday.

The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr. in St. Paul, will host a party for the planet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) will host interactive Story Theater sessions with its “A Year With Frog and Toad” show in the Visitor Center lobby. CTC teaching artists will lead 30-minute sessions with games and theatre exercises that bring the book to life.

The Gabbert Raptor Center, 1920 Fitch Av. in St. Paul, will host a 45-minute program with its ambassador birds and a 15-minute tour of the courtyard from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event costs $8 for adults and $5 for kids. The center will provide take-home raptor-advocate kits.

Buffalo Exchange, 2727 Lyndale Av. S. in Minneapolis, is hosting a $1 Earth Day sale Saturday. Proceeds go to Goats of Anarchy for rescue and rehabilitation of farm animals with disabilities. The sale is cash only.

Green Cities Accord and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will host an Arbor Day event at McRae Park, 906 E. 47th St., on April 25. Guests can partake in a pickleball tournament and enjoy music from Brass Solidarity, Minneapolis South High Music Boosters and the Arborators.

Several organizations are hosting Earth Day celebrations after the holiday.

The Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people to explore the outdoors by offering free parking April 27 at all 74 of its state parks.

Hoċokata Ṫi, 2300 Tiwahe Circle in Shakopee, will host its third-annual Earth Day event on April 26, where visitors can learn about the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) Earth-friendly initiatives from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees can join an environmental presentation and guided nature walk beginning at 11 a.m. The talk is led by SMSC water resources scientist Jennie Sirota and cultural interpreter and naturalist Michael Kurtz. The two will cover a variety of environmental topics, including how to protect avian species and water. The event is $10 and includes free admission to Hoċokata Ṫi’s public exhibit, Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake.

Several communities across the state have organized clean-up events at parks and beaches. Here are a few:

Bloomington: Bush Lake, 7515 Izaak Walton Road W., 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Columbia Heights: Columbia Heights Public Library, 3939 Central Av. NE., 9-11 am. Saturday

Minneapolis: 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday at multiple locations

Lake Harriet Bandshell, 415 W. Lake Harriet Parkway

Loring Park, 1382 Willow St.

Minnehaha Dog Park, 5399 Minnehaha Park Drive S.

Theodore Wirth Beach, 3200 Glenwood Av.

More locations here.

St. Paul: 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday at multiple locations

Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N.

Hamline Park, 1564 Lafond Av.

Sun Ray Library, 2105 Wilson Av.

Yellowbird Coffee, 1168 Shelby Av.

More locations here.

St. Anthony: Cleanup week from April 21 to April 27. Residents can take a photo of trash they collect, provide a short description and share the picture to the Citizens for Sustainability Facebook page or email the photo to info@citizensforsustainability.org.

Alex Karwowski is a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Star Tribune.