Earth Day events planned across Michigan; find one in your area

• Earth Day is coming up on Tuesday, April 22
• Several cleanup events are happening across Michigan, from Rochester Hills to Gaylord
• A handful of Earth Day fairs are happening around the state including in Westland, Goodells and Cadillac

Earth Day is coming up on Tuesday. 

While plenty of events are happening on the day itself, many are also scheduled for the weekends before and after.

The holiday can be a good excuse to get out and enjoy the Michigan outdoors. Whether you live in Augusta or Alpena, there’s probably something Earth Day-related happening near you. 

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

Saturday: 

• Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the Metro-West Steelheaders Clinton River Clean-up Project happens from 9 a.m. to  1 p.m. in Rochester Hills. Remove trash from the Clinton River at Yates Park. Free. More info and register before April 18 here.
• Hamtramck Parks Conservancy is hosting two Earth Day volunteering sessions — one at 10 a.m., the other at 2 p.m. — at Veterans Park in Hamtramck. Participants will prepare the location for a future pollinator garden. Free. More info and register here.
• Try your hand at painting outside at an Earth Day Plein-Air Painting event happening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gabriel Richard Park along the riverfront in Detroit. Free. Reserve a spot here.

April 26:

• Wayne County will host its Earth Day Extravaganza from noon to 3 p.m. at Nankin Mills Park in Westland. See live birds of prey, go on a nature hike, watch a presentation on bees and more. Free. More info here.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Saturday:

• Enjoy free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta. Check out student artwork made from recycled materials and explore the sanctuary’s trails. Free. More info here.

• All About Earth Day happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids. Shop recycled art and fashion, make some crafts, exercise and more. Entry and activities free. Find more info here.

Tuesday:

• The Signs of Spring Guided Nature Walk happens from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Upjohn Park in Kalamazoo. The event, hosted by the Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo, takes place on an accessible, paved path. Free. More info here.

MID-MICHIGAN AND THE THUMB

Saturday:

• Fenner Nature Center will host an Earth Day Extravaganza from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Lansing. Volunteer to remove invasive plants or pick up litter. Free. More info and register here.

April 25 to 26:

• Earth Fair, which bills itself as “Michigan’s largest Earth Day event,” will happen at Goodells County Park in Goodells. There will be a butterfly house, trolley rides, a character known as “Trash the Clown” and more. Free. More info here.

April 26:

• Drive Electric Earth Month and the Midland Chapter of American Chemical Society will host the Earth Action Expo 2025 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dow High School in Midland. Learn about glaciers (this year’s theme) and check out an electric vehicle display. Free. More info here.

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NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Tuesday:

• Little Traverse Conservancy will host two sessions of its Earth Day: Bike Trail Work Bee — one starting at 9 a.m., the other starting at 1 p.m. — at Offield Family Viewlands Reserve in Harbor Springs. Expect to remove downed limbs and trees, trim brush, and work to improve natural drainage on the bike trail. Free. Register and find more info here.
• Grand Traverse Conservation District will host an Earth Day Tree Planting Volunteer Workbee from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City. Plant native seedlings and trees along the river. Free. Register and find more info here.

April 27:

• The Cadillac Earth Day Celebration runs from 1 to 3 p.m. in front of the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion in Cadillac. Some free trees and tote bags will be available. There will also be live music and kids activities. Free to enter. More info here.

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Tuesday:

• Great Lakes Great Responsibility will host a Downtown Alpena Cleanup from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Culligan Plaza in Alpena. Pick up trash to try to prevent it from becoming marine debris and microplastics. Free. More info and register here.
• The Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Downtown Gaylord Earth Day Clean-up from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. beginning at the pavilion on Court Street in Gaylord. Bring gloves and rakes. Garbage bags will be supplied. Free. More info here.

April 26:

• The main event of Earth Week Plus — “Northern Michigan’s Earth Day Celebration” — runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cheboygan Area Public Library in Cheboygan. Build a birdhouse, pet a chicken, study a lamprey and more. Free. More info here.

THE UPPER PENINSULA

Tuesday:

• West Iron District Library will host a Celebrate Earth Day event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or while supplies last) at the library in Iron River. Pick up a clean-up kit and then go home and clean up your neighborhood. More info here.

April 24 to 26:

• The 2025 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival happens in the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor. While technically not billed as an Earth Day event, it seems like a fitting way to marvel at our planet and its place in the solar system. The festival includes lectures and opportunities for viewing the night sky for $250 per person. Purchase tickets and learn more here.

April 26:

• The Marquette Food Co-op will host an Earth Day Clean Up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the neighborhoods surrounding the store in Marquette. In addition to picking up trash, there will be warm beverages, a children’s scavenger hunt, and free trees. Free. More info here.

Is there an upcoming Michigan outdoor event on your radar that you want to make sure we don’t miss? Email Laura Herberg at [email protected].