Earth Week
2026 Earth day is every day
APRIL 18 - 25
Greater DM Metro
Earth Day Trash Bash, is Iowa's largest Earth Day volunteer event and a collaboration between the cities of Clive, Des Moines, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, West Des Moines, Boone County Conservation, Polk County Conservation, Polk County Public Works, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines Water Works, and Trees Forever.
This year's Earth Day Trash Bash takes place over Earth Week, April 19-26, and offers opportunities across a wide range of dates for individuals and groups. We are excited to be working together with thousands of volunteers and community partners, celebrating Earth Day and greening up the entire Des Moines metro and Iowa. 

Earth Day is Every Day!

Earth Day in the U.S. began in 1970 as 20 million Americans, from all walks of life, mobilized in an effort to change our environment. Today, Earth Day is celebrated by more than a billion people per year in 192 countries.

In 2025, over 1,900 volunteers volunteered at 89 sites metro-wide . They cleared away more than 12,600 pounds of trash, recyclables, and compostable materials from our public spaces throughout the Metro. Volunteers donated thousands of hours to our communities.
KCCI staff in action

Schedule

Volunteering for Earth Day is a great way to build team culture and enjoy the great outdoors. So, whether you are working remotely or in an office, a student, or living in our community...we have lots of way for you to get involved. So grab your "team" or sign-up as an individual for one of our metro-wide volunteer opportunities. Years ago, our event began by picking up litter, but today we've expanded our opportunities to also include planting trees and flowers, improving the health of our watersheds and woodlands, and more. 

Our week of greening up and giving back kicks off on April 18, our Confluence Brewing Kick-Off clean-up event at Gray's Lake Park (9-11 a.m.).

Volunteer

We will help you or your team plan ahead, protect yourself, and get connected with ways to give back making the Metro a great place to live, work and play in! Tools and supplies will be provided for hosted sites.

TEAMS: If you have a confirmed group, and you see enough openings online, let us know and we can reserve them for you.

For our Des Moines and Pleasant Hill sites, we will provide a password-protected link for your reserved spots so that your teammates can each fill out their individual registration/waiver and get the confirmation details for your site. Email  trashbash@dmgov.org your group details to start.
 
INDIVIDUALS: If you don't have a team, feel free to register for a spot on your own.

YOU-DO-YOU (SELF-LED): If our staff-led activities don't fit your schedule and you need greater flexibility, pick one of our "You-Do-You" self-led options and select the location you'd like to help at or contact us to schedule an area not listed. Don't forget afterwards to share with us how much you cleaned up and where you cleaned to help our communities reach their goals.

To find a location to volunteer, click a City or tab below to view opportunities.

Registration

City:
Clive
Who:
City of Clive Parks and Recreation
Jeff Lucas, Recreation Manager, (515)867-5127, jlucas@cityofclive.com
Where:
Various Locations Throughout the City:

  • 73rd Street Trail Area
  • 86th Street Bridge Area
  • Campbell Park (East to 108th Street)
  • Campbell Park (West to Country Club)
  • Canary, Country Club Glen, Stonegate Parks
  • Clive Aquatic Center Prairies
  • Linnan, Harbach, Indian Hills
  • Lions & Wildwood Parks and Trails
  • Love's Truck & Menards
  • Miss Kittys to Barnum Floors
  • Shuler Ponds & Shadow Creek Pond/Bridge
Why:
This community clean-up event is part of Iowa's largest Earth Day volunteer event, Earth Day Trash Bash. From April 19-26, volunteer events will be held throughout the entire Metro celebrating our Earth and providing opportunities to give back on your public lands. The events below are held throughout Clive and focuses on making Clive parks and trail areas "Distinct By Nature." 

We ask that each individual volunteer register themselves and complete the required waiver, at the end of the online registration process. This will also help us measure the Earth Day volunteers impact! One week prior to Earth Day Trash Bash, an informational email will be sent to each volunteer, with more specific logistical information.

Volunteers will meet at their registered volunteer location at 12:45 p.m. Staff will provide equipment, safety gloves, vests, trash bags, etc. Clean-up efforts are from 1:00-3:00 pm.
When:
April 25, 2025, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (Meetup at 12:45 p.m.)
Registration:
Note:
Adults 18 and older. Training and tools provided on-site by Parks staff. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and water bottles. Restrooms will be available at some areas throughout the Greenbelt Trail (plan ahead).

City:
Des Moines
Who:
City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation
trashbash@dmgov.org
Where:
Various Locations Throughout the City
When:
April 19-26
Registration:
Who:
City of Des Moines Public Works
Where:
Gray's Wetland Station
When:
Friday, April 25, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Registration:
Who:
Des Moines Water Works
Where:
Water Works Park
When:
Friday, April 18, 1-3 pm (Rain Date: April 22)
Volunteers Needed:
FULL
Who:
City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation and Confluence Brewing
Katy Cantin, parksvolunteer@dmgov.org, (515)250-4548
Where
Gray’s Lake Watershed. Meet on the back patio of Confluence Brewing (directions will be included in your registration) to give back and then gather afterwards to celebrate the week to come. 
When:
Saturday, April 19, 9:00-11:00 a.m. 
Registration:
Sites:
Choose from Gray’s Lake Park, Thomas Beck Road, and Fleur Drive along Gray’s Lake
Who:
Trees Forever
Bianca Cook, 515-450-1632, bcook@treesforever.org
Where:
Chesterfield Park, around Dean’s Lake, and Martin Luther King Jr. Trail (E 23rd - E 30th)
Why:
Caring for our community's trees means taking care of the landscape around them. Join Trees Forever as they clean up the streetscape and watershed. Help them make a sweep through the park, surrounding neighborhood, and trail. All the tools, supplies, snacks, and instructions will be provided. Dress for the weather and wear close-toed shoes to ensure your safety while planting. Minors may register if they are accompanied by an adult. 
when:
Wednesday, April 23, 1-3 pm
Registration:
Who:
City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Westwood Neighborhood Association, and Iowa Geocacher’s Association
Rachel Haindfield, parksvolunteer@dmgov.org, 515-208-1835
Where:
Walnut Creek Watershed (meet up at Pal Joey’s)
What:
Volunteers will join in a fun eco-hunt for trash. Work with us to improve central Iowa’s water quality while also searching the cleanup area for GIANT prize-filled eggs. Cleanup supplies and treats are provided.
When:
Saturday, April 19, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Registration:

City:
Johnston
Who:
Johnston Parks and Recreation
Staff Lead:
Molly Moore, 515-727-8091, mmoore@cityofjohnston.com 
What:
Join us for Earth Day Trash Bash in Johnston, Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025! We will be picking up trash from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Please meet us at the Terra Park Large Shelter at 1:00 PM. We will then return to the shelter by 3:30 PM. 

If you need more flexibility, anyone can pick up a bag at Crown Point Community Center between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Please register as an individual or group online at Johnston.recdesk.com (see below). 
Where:
Terra Park, 6400 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston
When:
April 22
Registration:

City:
Madrid
What:
High Trestle Trail Cleanup
Who:
Boone County Conservation and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
When:
April 26, 12:30-3:00 p.m. 
Details:
Join in Iowa’s largest Earth Day volunteer event, Earth Day Trash Bash, while we beautify Iowa and keep Boone County litter-free. Boone County Conservation, Friends of the Trail, and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation are hosting a FREE event at Grants Woods Park. Enjoy a nice afternoon hike, as we walk along the High Trestle Trail and surrounding woods, collecting litter and saving the world one step at a time. All cleanup supplies are provided, but if you want to bring items of your own to assist in cleaning up you may.
Location:
Grants Woods Park - 2335 QF Lane, Madrid, IA 50156.
Register:
Questions:
Boone County Naturalist, Kyle Neuendorf, 515-230-8392, kneuendorf@boonecounty.iowa.gov

City:
Norwalk
Who:
Norwalk Parks and Recreation
Staff Lead:
Dakota Springer, dspringer@norwalk.iowa.gov, (515)981-9206
Where:
Various Locations (see registration page for openings)
  • Park Cleanup @ Elizabeth Holland Park (10) 1:00-2:30 p.m.
  • Tree Planting @ Sunset Park (15) 1:00-4:00 p.m. 
Registration:
View openings and register online here.

City:
Polk County
Project:
Litter Cleanup
Who:
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Staff Lead:
Kayleen Leetch, kleetch@inhf.org, (503)348-1433
What:
Saving the Slough
 
Brenton Slough is a more than 1,100-acre wetland and woodland complex near Grimes in central Iowa and a well-known haven for migratory birds and other wildlife. INHF purchased the site and is now raising funds to transfer the property to Polk County Conservation and open it to the public. Volunteers will join the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in cleaning up a dumpsite and pulling invasive garlic mustard plants to clean up and green up this unique eco-treasure!

For more information about this property and to learn how you can help protect it, visit inhf.org/Brenton-Slough.
Where:
Brenton Slough (entrance is on the south side of the property. There will be signage pointing towards the parking location once you reach the gravel lane of the property, off of Y Avenue)
When:
April 22, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Register:
Who:
Polk County Conservation
Staff Lead:
Melissa Dempsey, melissa.dempsey@polkcountyiowa.gov, 515-339-0933
When / Where / What:
Other:
Who:
Polk County Public Works
Staff Lead:
What:
Litter Cleanup (Land and Water options available)
 
Volunteers will help Polk County Public Works Water Resources Outreach Coordinator, Cassie Druhl, and team clean up and green up the Fourmile Creek watershed. Meet up at the new Fourmile Mountain Bike Park to walk and cleanup litter in the watershed and surrounding neighborhood. Supplies are provided.
Where
Des Moines/Pleasant Hill (near Williams Street)
When:
Friday, April 25, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Register:
Parking:
Fourmile Mountain Bike Park (East side of Williams Street)

City:
Pleasant Hill
Who:
City of Pleasant Hill Parks and Recreation
Staff Lead:
Where:
Fourmile Creek Watershed (Scott Ave. Trailhead to Des Moines River), 4100 East Oakwood Ave.
When:
April 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Register below and stop by anytime between 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. to volunteer.) Call Heath Ellis (515-208-5212) for instructions if no one is at check-in.
Registration:
Who:
City of Pleasant Hill Parks and Recreation
Staff Lead:
Where:
Doanes Park, 5050 Doanes Park Road 
When:
May 1, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Rain Date, May 2)
Registration:

City:
West Des Moines
Who:
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation
What:
Want to engage in a fun, meaningful way as part of Iowa's largest Earth Day volunteer event, Earth Day Trash Bash? Compete to collect the most trash in one of our designated park sites. Form a team, choose a catchy name, and get ready for some friendly competition. You'll be rewarded for your hard work with prizes and a free drink at the Pelican Post. Supplies and instructions provided. Register today and a detailed email will be sent prior to the event with all the information you'll need. 
Groups:
Email ParkRec@wdm.iowa.gov to inquire.
Registration:
West Des Moines - Earth Day Trash Bash Sites
  • April 22  | 1 pm - 3 pm | Jordan Creek Trail - East
  • April 22 | 1 pm - 3 pm | Jordan Creek Trail - West
  • April 22 | 1 pm - 3 pm | Raccoon River Park - Biddle Shelter
  • April 22 | 1 pm - 3 pm | Southwoods Park 

City:
Des Moines
Who:
City of Des Moines
Where:
Select one of our designated self-led locations or propose an area you'd like to clean-up around your home, business, or your neighborhood (on your own). 
When:
Anytime you would like. These are flexible!
What:
This is a self-led option. If you are interested in helping out on Earth Day or sometime in the month of April but our openings don't work with your availability or comfort level, then we still want to provide an opportunity for you to help. Register below. For our designated "self-led" locations, you can provide your own supplies, or set up a time to come to our office to pick up supplies. After you help us out, return the supplies and submit your total hours on the link where you registered so we can show the great work our City did together.
Registration:
dsm.city/volunteer  (*Sort by Job/Litter Clean-up Self-Led)
Note:
Minors will need parent signatures on their online waivers. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will be glad to help at trashbash@dmgov.org.

Awards

Whether you join an organized Earth Month project or head out to do a clean-up on your own, make sure to share with us along the way #EDTB2026. We’ll be keeping our eye out on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram for potential winners of the Best Selfie, Finders Keepers and those showing their Team Spirit.

  • Show us your Team Spirit ... wear a team t-shirt, costume or anything to show you've got SPIRIT!
  • Snap a pic of Best Selfie of you and your team in action. 
  • Show us your unique find for the Finders Keepers awards.

Not on social media? Email your favorite pics to trashbash@dmgov.org.

Award winners will be notified post-event and the award pick-up or delivery will be scheduled with the winners. 

Awards - team spirit
Awards - best selfie
Awards - finders keepers

Earth Day Activities

Who:
Des Moines - Public Libraries
What:
Pajama Storytime: Earth Day
Where:
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
When:
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m. 
Cost:
FREE
Info:
Who:
Des Moines Parks and Recreation and Des Moines Public Libraries
What:
Join Naturalist Joel VanRoekel for an Earth Day bird feeder make-n-take. In this eco-friendly workshop, you will make a bird feeder, fill it with bird food, and take it home. This hands-on event is perfect for families, children, and nature enthusiasts of all ages. All supplies are provided. 
Where:
East Side Library
When:
April 22, 5:30-6:30 pm
Info:
Who:
Des Moines - Public Works (Forestry)
What:
Tiny Trees Give Away
Where:
Polk County River Place
When:
Saturday, April 26, 8:00-Noon
Cost:
Free, pre-order required. 
Registration:

Who:
West Des Moines
What:
Earth Day Story Hour
 
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation and the West Des Moines Public Library are teaming up to bring you an engaging morning of earth-themed stories, songs, and activities.
Where:
Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge, West Des Moines
When:
Saturday, April 22, 10:00-10:45 am
Registration:
Pre-registration encouraged, but not required. Please register online (ID 42225).
Who:
West Des Moines
What:
Earth Day Bike Maintenance Workshop

 
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation and Bike World present instruction on crucial bike care skills, including basic repairs and maintenance. This is a fantastic chance to connect with other cycling enthusiasts, enhance your bike care skills, and ensure safety on your rides. Registered participants receive a free helmet, courtesy of the West Des Moines Police Department.
Where:
Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge, West Des Moines
When:
Saturday, April 22, 5:00-6:00 pm
Registration:
Pre-registration encouraged, but not required. Please register online (ID 42010).
Who:
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation
What:
Earth Day Craft Craze: Upcycled Book Sculpture

 
In honor of Earth Day, this month's Craft Craze will focus on upcycling old books into beautiful art! Using beginner book folding techniques and origami roses, we will repurpose old books into lovely sculptures that you can display on your bookshelf or give away as gifts. Books will be provided for the class, but feel free to bring your own if you have a well-loved favorite that you would like to repurpose.
When:
Tuesday, April 22, 5:00-7:30 pm
Cost:
$15
Ages:
18+
Registration:

History

Thanks to our community's commitment to a better environment and a healthier community, over 1,400 volunteers last year cleared away more than 12,000 pounds of trash, recyclables, and compostable materials from our public spaces. Volunteers donated more than 3,300 hours to our community (valued at more than $112,000 in service).

Earth Day Trash Bash began as a small cleanup with local businesses and organizations around 2005. As interest grew in "greening" up our community, so did the event. We are incredibly lucky to have so many giving individuals and organizations in Central Iowa that have committed to our environment each year since. In 2020, the world stood still and Earth Day Trash Bash paused as well. In 2021, we were back and adapted to go from a one day event to many events throughout the month of April. In the following years, as things returned to normal we adapted again to our current format, a week-long offering of volunteer and educational events across the Metro. Volunteers can pick up litter, remove invasive plants, protect our historical resources, and more! There are so many ways to green up and clean up the Metro and help celebrate our Earth this spring. 

Since 2008, the combined value of donations and donated time is more than $2.46 million. The volunteers have cleared more than 657,000 pounds of litter, brush, and debris to give our Metro a spring cleaning. We look forward to welcoming everyone back onto our public lands and parks, trails, and open spaces. 


History - from previous Earth Day actions
History - from previous Earth Day actions
History - from previous Earth Day actions

Sponsorship

We could not help our community, the Earth or recognize these volunteer efforts without the support of our sponsors. Thank you to our sponsors for helping make Iowa's largest Earth Day event a success again!

Want to sponsor?
Platinum Sponsor Benefits
Diamond Sponsor Benefits

Sponsorship Levels

Presenting

$8000.0 +

Diamond

$3000.0 +

Platinum

$1000.0 +


Diamond Sponsors ($3000 +)

City of Clive - Parks and Recreation logo
City of Des Moines logo
City of Norwalk logo
Friends of Des Moines Parks logo


Platinum Sponsors ($1000 +)

City of Johnston logo
City of West Des Moines logo
Confluence Brewing logo
Des Moines Water Works logo
Polk County Conservation logo
SingleSpeed Brewing logo
Special Thank You to our Partners:
City of Des Moines, City of Clive, City of Johnston, City of Norwalk, City of Pleasant Hill, City of West Des Moines, Des Moines Water Works, Boone County Conservation, Polk County Conservation, Polk County Public Works, Trees Forever, Confluence Brewing, Friends of Des Moines Parks, and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.