Thursday, April 22 marks another Earth Day. While it’s important to always be conscious of the environmental impact your actions have on the planet, the spring holiday that was founded in 1970 serves as an annual reminder of the planet’s fragility and is a call to action to do your part to at the very least help delay its eventual destruction (probably in our lifetime). In addition to a few local events happening on Earth day itself, lots of organizations, neighborhood associations, and businesses in Milwaukee are also hosting some Earth Week events.

From cleanups and charitable efforts to concerts and sustainable projects for people of all ages, there’s a lot of ways to get involved this year. Here are 15 standout events. We recommended checking out Urban Ecology Center, Keeping Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, and this handy Milwaukee Journal Sentinel guide for more Earth Day ideas.

Tuesday, April 20

Villard Avenue BID Storefront Cleanup
Pitch in to help clean up and beautify Villard Avenue’s business corridor. Meet at Covanta (3216 W. Villard Ave.) starting at 11 a.m. to sign in and get supplies. The cleanup will take place from 12-2 p.m. Free T-shirts, zoo passes, and museum passes are available to participants (while supplies last). More info HERE.

Urban Ecology Center Bird Walk And Trash Pickup @ Menomonee Valley
This event is for the birds. Actually, it’s for people who have an interest in birds. From 8-10 a.m., Urban Ecology Center will guide adults (and children who are accompanied by adults) through Three Bridges Park in Menomoneee Valley. Avian observation and trash pickup will occur. More info and registration for this free event can be found HERE.

Wednesday, April 21

Earth Day Eve Fundraiser @ Indeed Brewing Company
Get ready for Earth Day 2021 with an “Earth Day Eve Fundraiser” at Indeed Brewing Company’s beautiful Walker’s Point taproom. From 3-10 p.m. on April 21, Indeed will donate 100 percent of taproom sales to a local environmental organization called Keeping Greater Milwaukee Beautiful (or “KGMB”) as part of the brewery’s year-round “Indeed We Can” charitable initiative. Stop by for a beer or pick up some cans or a growler to-go this Wednesday and help KGMB in the process. More info HERE.

Thursday, April 22

Earth Day DIY Succulent Terrariums @ UW-Milwaukee Student Union
Head to UW-Milwaukee’s Union Concourse from 2-4 p.m. to celebrate Earth Day by making your very own terrarium. Learn how to give your old glass containers new life. Supplies are limited, so early arrival is recommended. More info HERE.

CleanUpMKE Cleanup
From 2-4 p.m. this Earth Day, CleanUpMKE and volunteers can take part in cleaning up a portion of Milwaukee that spans between North Avenue and 15th Street. Contact Gideon at Gideon029@gmail.com for more information.

Cactus Club’s Earth Day Park Cleanup @ Cupertino Park
Over in Bay View, Cactus Club has organized an Earth Day Park Cleanup. After meeting outside the bar that evening, the volunteer cleanup crew will head to nearby Cupertino Park to pick up refuse from 6-7:30 p.m. Gloves and limited supplies will be provided. More info can be found HERE.

Saturday, April 24

Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s Spring Cleanup @ more than 70 locations across the Milwaukee River Basin
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is going all out with its Spring Cleanup efforts this year. The organization is looking for volunteers to help pick up trash at more than 70 locations across the Milwaukee River Basin. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, start times will be staggered and group sizes will be limited. Go HERE for more information and registration info.

Bronzeville Cleanup
This Saturday, a cleanup effort will take place in the Bronzeville neighborhood from 9-11 a.m. Contact Rodney at rvtriggs7@gmail.com for more information.

Washington Heights Neighborhood Association Cleanup
Those who live in Washington Heights (or who simply want to be part of the neighborhood’s upkeep) can take part in a Neighborhood Association Cleanup from 8-10 a.m. this Saturday. Contact Mary Beth at werner.marybeth@gmail.com for more information.

McGovern Park Cleanup
Another neighborhood cleanup will be taking place in the McGovern Park area from 9-11 a.m. this Saturday. Contact Minnie at mharmon0902@gmail.com for more information.

Family Nature Hike And Trash Pickup
Urban Ecology Center Community Programs Educator Jose will be your guide on a family-friendly nature hike through Menomonee Valley, which also doubles as a trash pickup. More info and registration can be found HERE.

Milwaukee Diaper Mission Fundraiser
If you’re unable and/or unwilling to partake in an in-person cleanup effort this year, it’s important to remember you can also pitch in by reducing your waste. One way you can do so is by buying reusable bags. Milwaukee Diaper Mission has partnered with Orchard Street Press on a Take-N-Paint reusable tote bag. You can pre-order the bag now and pick it up on April 24. That same day, Milwaukee Diaper Mission will host a cloth diaper sale at Bay View Community Center. More info on all of that can be found HERE.

Rock The Green’s 10th Annual Earth Day Celebration
For its 10th annual Earth Day Celebration, Rock The Green has called upon Trapper Schoepp and his band to perform on the organization’s famed Pedal-Powered Stage. This livestreamed concert will also feature Mayor Tom Barrett, an award presentation from Rock The Green, and a representative from Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Speaking of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, all proceeds from this virtual event will benefit that organization. More information can be found HERE.

Sunday, April 25

Walker’s Point Spring Cleanup
Walker’s Point Association is hosting a neighborhood-wide Spring Cleanup. Any time from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday, stop by MobCraft to get your supplies and pick your territory. Prizes will be awarded for the most trash picked up and the most unique item picked up. Participants will also get a free beer voucher, a free McDonald’s ice cream cone voucher, and more. You can find more info HERE.

Earth Day Campus Cleanup @ Marquette University
Marquette University Student Government is hosting a Campus Cleanup on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pickers and bags will be provided. Masks and social distancing will be required. Check out more information HERE.

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.