Earth Month 2022, is a collaboration between the cities & citizens of Des Moines, Clive, West Des Moines, Norwalk, Polk County Conservation, Trees Forever, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and Des Moines Water Works and is sponsored by Friends of Des Moines Parks.
Earth Month
2022
Apart
but
togeth
er for
change
April 1-30
Greater DM Metro
In 2020, we canceled Earth Day Trash Bash, Iowa's largest volunteer Earth Day event, as our communities moved to slow the spread of COVID-19. In 2021, we were back but reimagined. And in 2022, we are rolling with it again.
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.
This year, Earth Day is Every Day!
Thanks to volunteer safety protocols we'll have opportunities spread out thru the Metro for small groups to volunteer while being physically-distanced over multiple dates in April-Earth Month. We will provide you opportunities to give back to make the Metro a great place to live, work and play again!
Registration
This is a great way to build team culture and see each other outside. So, whether you are working remotely or in an office, homeschooling kiddos, or all of the above...we're here for you. We know your offices are a bit different too, so we won't expect there to be Captains or team registration matching you to your normal locations. We want to make this as easy as possible for you to grab your "pod", "unit", "team" or sign-up alone. This is a first come- first served come as you are gig.
And if you aren’t ready to be around others, feel free to head out into your neighborhood and pick up trash (self-led). You can still sign-up and then just share with us how much you did and where you cleaned to help our communities reach their goals.
- City:
- Clive
- Who:
- City of Clive Parks and Recreation
Richard Brown
(515) 223-5246
rbrown@cityofclive.com - Where:
- Clive Greenbelt (8 locations)
- Why:
- The Clive Greenbelt has 297 acres of greenspace and is considered a premier park in the metro. This trail system connects to downtown Des Moines and sees thousands of visitors a year.
- When:
- Friday, April 22, -
- What:
-
- Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up (10 volunteers)
73rd Street Entrance to Greenbelt -
Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up
Campbell Park Concessions (10490 Maddox Parkway) -
Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up
Campbell Park Concessions (12385 Woodlands Parkway) -
Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up
Linnan, George Lundberg, Westview (15) -
Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up
Rio Valley, Walnut Ridge, Karp (15) -
Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up
Campbell (East), Wellington, Huntington (15) -
Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up
Lions, Wildwood, Trail Connections (15) -
Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up
Canary, CC Glen, Stonegate (15)
- Clive Greenbelt Litter Clean-up (10 volunteers)
- Registration:
- Register with volunteer form - https://cityofclive.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs?leaguesid=1474
- 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
parksvolunteer@dmgov.org - Where:
- Various Locations Throughout the City
- When:
- Throughout the Earth Month (April)
- Opportunities Available:
- COVID-19 Protocols:
- Please read our COVID-19 Protocols online at dmparks.org.
- Who:
- City of Des Moines Public Works
parksvolunteer@dmgov.org - Where:
- Various Street Corridors
- When:
- Throughout the Earth Month (April)
- Registration:
- Contact Caleb at cjadams-brown@dmgov.org
- Who:
- Des Moines Water Works
- Where:
- Water Works Park
- When:
- 4/22/22
- Volunteers Needed:
- FULL
- Who:
- Trees Forever
- Where:
- McKinley Avenue Corridor
- When:
- Friday, April 22, -
- Opportunities
Available: -
Tree Planting - Registration:
- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4ea8a823a4fec70-earth
- City:
- Norwalk
- Who:
- Norwalk Parks & Recreation
Dakota Springer and Shauneica Lane
dspringer@norwalk.iowa.gov - When:
- Friday, April 22, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
- Registration:
- Please visit our website
- Covid:
- City of Norwalk - COVID-19 Response Update
- Project 1:
- Park clean up
- Where:
- Elizabeth Holland Park
We will meet at the SE Parking lot; Colonial Parkway, Norwalk - When:
- 1:00-2:30
- What:
- Pick up trash around the park getting ready for spring
- Volunteers Needed:
- FULL
- Project 2:
- Tree planting
- Where:
- Elizabeth Holland Park
We will meet at the SE Parking lot; Colonial Parkway, Norwalk - What:
- Planting trees, moving dirt, mulch, watering in the trees
- Registration:
- REGISTER ONLINE
- Parking:
- SE parking lot at Elizabeth Holland Park
- Note:
- All ages are welcome!
- Project 3:
- Trail clean-up
- Where:
- Highway 28
We will meet at the Kum&Go at the intersection of North Avenue & Highway 28 - What:
- Pick up trash along the trail on east and west side of highway 28 from North Avenue to Beardsley Street
- Volunteers Needed:
- 10
- Registration:
- REGISTER ONLINE
- Parking:
- Kum&Go at the intersection of North Avenue & Highway 28
- Note:
- Volunteers of any age are welcome!
- Project 4:
- Park clean-up
- Where:
- Pine Needle Park, 1900 Timberview Dr.
We will meet on Timberview Dr. on the West side of the park - When:
- 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- What:
- Planting trees, moving dirt, mulching, and watering trees.
- Volunteers Needed:
- 15
- Registration:
- REGISTER ONLINE
- Parking:
- Along Timberview Drive on the west side of the park.
- Note:
- Volunteers of any age are welcome!
- Project 1:
- Earth Day Volunteering – invasive species removal, native garden maintenance, litter removal
- Where:
- Jester Park, Shelter #6
- When:
- Friday, April 22nd 12pm to 2pm
- Parking:
- available at Shelter #6 and surrounding areas
- Note:
- Registration required by noon the day before. Lunch will be provided to registered participants. Bring refillable water bottle & garden gloves if you have them. Registration (full event description is there): https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/earth-day-2022/
- Other April Volunteer Opportunities with Polk County Conservation
- What:
- Prairie Production Plots Spring Cleanup
- Where:
- Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
- When:
- Saturday, April 2nd & April 16th 10am to 12pm
- Registration:
- https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/prairie-production-plots-spring-cleanup/
- What:
- Stewardship Days at Fort Des Moines Park
- Where:
- Fort Des Moines Park
- When:
- April 6th & April 13th 10am to 3pm
- Registration:
- https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/volunteer-stewardship-days-at-fort-des-moines-park/
- What:
- Steward’s of Brown’s Woods Woodland Restoration
- Where:
- Brown’s Woods Park
- When:
- Saturday April 2nd, 10am to 12pm
- Registration:
- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stewards-of-browns-woods-woodland-restoration-tickets-289772586607?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
- What:
- Annual Crane Count
- Where:
- Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Park
- When:
- April 9th 6:30am to 8:30am
- Note:
- PREREQUISITE: All participants must attend a short training session the day prior to the event to sharpen their identification skills, become familiar with their route, and learn about reporting procedures. This will be held 6:00-7:00 PM at the Natural Resource Headquarters (11204 NE 118th Ave, Maxwell, Iowa 50161).
- Registration:
- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-crane-count-tickets-258116572617?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
- What:
- Virtual Lunch & Learn: Put your VTO hours to work with Polk County Conservation
- Where:
- Virtual (Zoom)
- When:
- April 13th, 12pm to 1pm
- Registration:
- https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/lunch-learn-put-your-vto-hours-to-work-with-pcc/
- What:
- Native Garden Spring Cleanup
- Where:
- Polk County River Place
- When:
- April 30th 10am – 2pm
- Note:
- Lunch provided to registered participants.
- Registration:
- https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/native-garden-spring-cleanup/
- City:
- West Des Moines
- Who:
- West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Dept.
Melanie Perry
(515) 222-3435
Melanie.perry@wdm.iowa.gov - Where:
- Raccoon River Park
We will meet at the Nature Lodge - When:
- Friday, April 22, -
- What:
- We will be doing a couple different project in Raccoon River Park. We will all meet at the Nature Lodge
- Shoreline Litter Pick-up (FULL)-Meet at the Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge.
- Litter Pick-up (FULL)-Meet at the Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge.
- Paddling Litter Pick-up (Unlimited) -Volunteers must bring their own kayak/canoe and meet at the boat ramp. We will provide mesh bags for trash.
- Why:
- Spring is a great time to clean up our parks. The amount of plastic that we see in and around the water is almost staggering. During flood events this trash will end up in our rivers and eventually in the ocean. Spring is also a great time to mulch our trees. This is labor intensive and volunteers would greatly decrease the amount of time this task takes. Mulch around the trees holds the rain water, reduces weeds and creates a healthy growing environment for the trees.
- COVID-19:
- Covid protocols by Parks and Recreation
- Note:
- Minors will be allowed for the trash pick up. The mulching project will be supervised by forestry staff. The trash pick up will meet at a central location, given bags and then the volunteers will work on their own. (boat will meet at the boat ramp and given bags there) There will be bathrooms available throughout the park (portapots) and the rest rooms at the Nature Lodge will be open.
- Who:
- West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Dept.
Melanie Perry
(515) 222-3435
Melanie.perry@wdm.iowa.gov - Opportunities
Available: -
Educational/Nature Experience - What:
- Forest Bathing
- When:
- Friday, April 22, -
- Details:
- Join us for a 2-hr forest bathing walk, led by Brandy Case Haub of Intertwined Nature Forest Therapy. Forest bathing boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure and stress hormones, prevents and relieves stress and anxiety, and increases cognitive functioning. Guided forest bathing walks are appropriate for all ages and abilities: less than a ½ mile is covered on each walk. Guides use techniques to support participants in entering a state of embodied awareness, moving through a series of “invitations” to support participants in tuning into each of their senses, allowing participants to move into a liminal space, and experience resulting wellness benefits. "Natural not naked!"
- Registration:
- $30.00 https://bit.ly/WDMEarthDayForestBathing
- Who:
- West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Dept.
Melanie Perry
(515) 222-3435
Melanie.perry@wdm.iowa.gov - Where:
- West Des Moines City Campus-10-1
- When:
- Saturday, April 23, -
- Opportunities
Available: -
Educational - What:
- Earth Day Family Fun
- Details:
- Earth Day is a perfect day for you and your family to come enjoy some family friendly outdoor activities. you can go kayaking, canoeing, fishing, play some yard games or you may choose to create an earth friendly craft . The first 100 families will receive a free painted lady caterpillar. (one per family) and free tree saplings will be handed out.
- Registration:
- Not required
- City:
- Des Moines
- Who:
- City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation
- Where:
- Anywhere you would like around your home or your neighborhood.
- When:
- Anytime you would like.
- What:
- This is a You-Do-You 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. 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. Self-led litter clean-ups are responsible for disposing of their own garbage.
- Registration:
- Register Online
- COVID-19 Protocols:
- Protocols
- Note:
- Minors will need parent signatures on their waivers. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will be glad to help at trashbash@dmgov.org.
- Who:
- Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Melanie Schmidt
(515) 249-7680
mschmidt@inhf.org - Where:
- Story County
- When:
- April 1, -
- What:
- Invasive Species Removal
- Details:
- https://www.inhf.org/events/eid/6131c7ebdb72126b/partner-events/earth-month-2022/
Celebrate the beginning of Earth Month with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) and Story County Conservation (SCC) at the Deppe property in Story County. This permanently protected property is an exciting partnership between INHF and SCC, as it will expand the available use of the adjacent McFarland Park. Volunteers will assist the current Land Ambassador with invasive species removal from the woodland area. Volunteers will also learn about the history of the property, the ongoing restoration work, and future plans for the land. Afterward, everyone is invited to a social opportunity at Alluvial Brewing to celebrate.
Invasive brush removal involves using various hand tools (handsaws or loppers) to manually cut invasive brush. No experience necessary. Instruction will be provided. New and seasoned volunteers welcome. - Registration:
- https://www.inhf.org/register/earth-month-2022-story-co/
- Who:
- Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Melanie Schmidt
(515) 249-7680
mschmidt@inhf.org - Where:
- Pella
- When:
- April 27, -
- What:
- Woodland Restoration
- Details:
- https://www.inhf.org/events/eid/3dc193d297f7b063/volunteer/mathes-woodland-restoration-pella-2022/
Make your way to the woods for a spring afternoon outdoors! Volunteers will hand-pull garlic mustard, one of the most invasive plants in Iowa, from Mathes' woodlands. Garlic mustard spreads rapidly and displaces native plants and wildflowers. If left unchecked, it can do serious damage to wooded landscapes. People are welcome to stay, explore and enjoy the property's spring ephemeral flowers after the event. - Registration:
- https://www.inhf.org/register/mathes-woodland-restoration-2022-pella/
Covid-19 Protocols
Volunteer registration online will help us prepare and keep you safe. We ask that volunteers monitor their risk by visiting the CDC's community level site. Please self-screen for symptoms before heading outdoors. Masks are currently optional. Tools and supplies may be shared so please disinfect your hands before/after use. If you have any questions, please reach out to your site lead where you register. They'd be more than happy to help!
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 #EARTHMONTH2022DM. We’ll be keeping our eye out for any winners of the Best Selfie, Finders Keepers and those showing their Team Spirit.
History
Thanks to our community's commitment to a better environment and a healthier community, more than 15,900 volunteers have participated in the past 15 years. They've donated more than $1,000,000 in service and have cleared more than 575,000 pounds of litter, brush, and debris to give our Metro a spring cleaning. While 2022 will again look different we're excited to welcome you back!
Special thanks to:
Friends of Des Moines Parks for their sponsorship and support of this collaboration.
arrow_upward