Wishes for the Sky on April 25 at Harriet Island

April 22nd is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. I am old enough to remember that first Earth Day in 1970. Our middle school class cleaned up the school yard and adjoining creek bed. In fact, we had outdoor "environmental" projects that extended through the spring. Frankly, I think some of it was motivated by our free and available labor mixed with our teacher's need to get us to run off our excess energy chasing paper in the wind.

Forty years later, we still haven't solved it -- there is still plenty left to do but also many more events to celebrate how far we've come. The Twin Cities has tons of fun Earth Day events to get you in an earthy mood at both work and play through most of the month of April:

Learn how to green your business or organization at the Employer's Association's Sustainability Conference on Thursday, April 22 8 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.. I will be delivering the keynote discussing how to green an organization, eco authenticity and marketing. Other speakers and panelists will drill down into the specifics of green jobs, green meetings, the supply chain, and green legal issues. Click here for more information and registration.

Talk to the animals at the Minnesota Zoo's Earth Fest over the weekend of April 17-18. The zoo will host a party for the planet, celebrating all things green. They promise fun for all ages including eco-friendly activities, music, and crafts to teach kids about planet friendly living (maybe some adults will learn a thing or two, too!). The event is free with paid admission to the zoo: $13 for adults and discounts for children and seniors. Click here for more information.

If you are feeling athletic check out The Recycle Walk/Run and Kid's half-mile Run at The Lake Harriet bandshell on Sunday, April 18 at 9:00 a.m.. The event supports the Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean-up efforts. You can even bring your worn out running shoes and workout clothes to be recycled! Click here for more information.

St Paul's Harriet Island will be the place of an art event celebrating Earth Day – Wishes for the Sky, Sunday, April 25th. Participants will be invited to send wishes for the earth, people, or anything they want to the sky via kites, mobiles and chimes (inspired by an ancient Chinese tradition). The event is free and open from 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.. Click here for more information.

If you want to celebrate Earth Day the traditional way by getting your hands dirty, join Earth Day in the City: Minneapolis Watershed Cleanup on Saturday, April 17 at 9:30-noon at the Mississippi Gorge in Minneapolis. The River Gorge is part of our National Park system – a precious resource for all Minnesotans. Preregistration is not required and Parkway Pizza is giving away slices to participants. Neighborhood, schools and other groups welcome. Click here for more information.