Earth Month Events in Milwaukee’s North Shore

Earth Month and Earth Day 2025 (April 22) is a wonderful time for North Shore families to celebrate our planet together. From park clean-ups and nature hikes to sustainable fairs and craft workshops, there’s something for all ages. Below is a comprehensive guide to annual Earth Day events and traditions in the North Shore area, including event details (locations, times, registration info) and key activities for families.

Regional Volunteer Clean-Up Events

Milwaukee Riverkeeper Annual Spring Cleanup

Photo from Milwaukee Riverkeeper

What: A massive riverbank and park cleanup that mobilizes thousands of volunteers across Greater Milwaukee each Earth Day. It’s Wisconsin’s largest volunteer Earth Day event, with over 90 cleanup sites along the Milwaukee River, its tributaries, and shorelines. Families join to pick up litter and help restore natural beauty. Kids are welcome with supervision – it’s a hands-on lesson in caring for the environment.

When: April 26, 2025, 9 am - noon.

Where:Multiple North Shore locations. You can choose a convenient site in or near your community – for example, Kletzsch Park in Glendale, Estabrook Park in Shorewood, Lincoln Park (border of Glendale), or Atwater Beach in Shorewood. (Sites vary each year; a full map is provided during registration.)

Registration:Free. Sign-up in advance on Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s website to select your site and ensure enough supplies. Day-of walk-ups are also accepted at most sites if you arrive at 9 am. All cleanup materials are provided – gloves, trash bags, and even free T-shirts for volunteers. Bring a reusable water bottle and wear old shoes/clothes that can get dirty.

Key Activities: Removing trash and debris from rivers, streams, and parks. Each year volunteers collectively remove over 100,000 pounds of trash (much of it plastic) in just a few hours – a hugely rewarding effort! Families can see immediate results as they fill bags with litter that would otherwise pollute our waterways. Site leaders often educate participants about local ecology and recycling as you work.

Post-Event Celebration: After cleaning up, everyone is invited to the Rock the Green Earth Day Celebration that afternoon – a free, zero-waste festival featuring a live concert on a pedal-powered stage, sustainable food vendors, and eco-education booths. In recent years this celebration has been held from 12–3 pm at the Harley-Davidson Museum (downtown Milwaukee). It’s a fun way to reward volunteers: enjoy music, Earth Day games, and local “green” organizations’ exhibits in a family-friendly atmosphere. No tickets or fees required for this celebration. Just show up after the cleanup, grab some sustainable snacks, and celebrate your hard work with the community.

Shorewood: Earth Day Films & Community Clean-Ups

Shorewood Conservation Committee Film Festival (Winter/Spring)

Each year, Shorewood’s Conservation Committee hosts free Environmental Films in the lead-up to Earth Day. Several eco-documentaries are screened at the Shorewood Village Center (3920 N. Murray Ave) on weekday evenings (often in January, February, and March). No admission fee or registration is required – just drop in. After each film, Conservation Committee members lead a short discussion about how residents can take local action on the issues raised. Topics vary by year (recent films have explored wildlife, plastic pollution, sustainable gardening, etc.). It’s a family-friendly event (recommended for older kids and teens interested in the environment), and a great indoor way to build up to Earth Day with education and conversation.

Shorewood Community Clean-Up Traditions

Shorewood residents roll up their sleeves for Earth Day by caring for local parks and beaches:

Milwaukee River Cleanup (Shorewood sites)

Shorewood is an avid participant in the Milwaukee Riverkeeper Cleanup beyond Earth Day, and this year Shorewood has designated Friday, July 19 and Friday, October 18 for clean-up days. Neighbors gather at Estabrook Park or Hubbard Park in Shorewood to clean the Milwaukee River banks. Hubbard Park, for example, has been an adopt-a-river site where volunteers meet by the river to collect trash (waders are provided for those who venture into the water). Families in Shorewood can easily join these nearby efforts on Earth Day morning – it’s a short walk or bike ride to your local park, making it very kid-friendly. Just sign up via Milwaukee Riverkeeper (or through Shorewood’s Conservation Committee if they advertise a specific team) and enjoy a morning of stewardship close to home.

Atwater Beach Clean-Up

Keeping Shorewood’s Lake Michigan beachfront clean is another Earth Day tradition. Local environmental groups (such as the Surfrider Foundation or school green clubs) have in past years organized an Atwater Beach Cleanup around Earth Day. Volunteers (including families and student groups) comb the sand and bluffs at Atwater Park to pick up litter, especially plastics that wash ashore. This is usually a free, drop-in event – bags and gloves are provided at a check-in table near the beach playground, and you can come for as long or little as you like. Cleaning the beach is a great hands-on activity for even young children (who doesn’t love a treasure hunt in the sand?). Keep an eye on Shorewood community pages for an announcement of the date (often on Earth Day itself or the closest weekend).

Neighborhood Projects

Even if you can’t attend an organized event, Shorewood encourages residents to “go green” at home on Earth Day – for example, by planting native flowers in your yard, starting a compost bin, or simply picking up trash on your block. The Conservation Committee sometimes provides free seed packets or tree saplings around Earth Day (at Village Hall or events) to promote native planting. Check the Shorewood Spring Yard Clean-Up Day schedule as well; the Village may coordinate a special yard waste collection or street sweeping after Earth Day to assist with neighborhood clean-ups. All of these small actions are family-friendly (have the kids help rake, plant, or litter pick) and contribute to Shorewood’s eco-legacy.

Shorewood Bonus: Each fall, Shorewood also hosts the “Fish & Feather Festival” at Hubbard Park (usually in October) – while not an Earth Day event, it’s an environmental education fair with salmon spotting, bird watching, and kids’ nature crafts. Keep it in mind as another annual family nature tradition in the North Shore!

Fox Point Earth Day at the Library

Local public libraries frequently host Earth Day–themed events for kids, which are free and fun. For instance:

North Shore Library

Around Earth Day, the North Shore Library often puts up special book displays on recycling, nature, and going green. They have offered children’s activities like an Earth Day Storytime or craft in past years. While specific 2025 events aren’t announced yet, you might find a family storytime the week of Earth Day featuring environmentally themed stories and songs. The library’s youth services staff sometimes prepare a drop-in craft project – e.g. making Earth Day buttons, a coffee filter planet Earth craft, or planting a seed in a cup to take home. Call or check the library’s online event calendar in April for any “Green Storytime” or kids’ workshops. These activities typically require no registration (or just a quick RSVP) and are geared toward young children.

Whitefish Bay Public Library:

Whitefish Bay Library has a tradition of family craft days. In one recent year, they held an Earth Day Craft Saturday, where families could drop in between 10 am–2 pm to make “recycling-friendly” art projects. The library provided all materials for free, and kids created things like seed paper, upcycled paper bag kites, and other eco-crafts to celebrate “Green Day in the Bay”. Keep an eye on Whitefish Bay’s library newsletter for a possible repeat of an Earth Day craft or an Earth Day storytime for toddlers. These library events are a great low-cost (usually free!) way to involve even the youngest family members in Earth Day.

Tip: If your kids attend school in Glendale (or other North Shore schools), watch for school-organized Earth Day activities as well. Schools often do playground clean-ups, tree plantings, or poster contests for Earth Day. While not public events, they’re wonderful traditions that you can talk about and reinforce at home (ask your child what they did for Earth Day at school and how your family might build on it).

Bayside Adopt-A-Tree Program

The Bayside Adopt-A-Tree Program is a community initiative designed to enhance and diversify Bayside's urban forest. By participating, residents contribute to the village's environmental health and aesthetic appeal. Participants can choose from three hardy and environmentally beneficial species: Common Hackberry, Espresso Kentucky Coffeetree, and Red Oak.

Adoption Options and Pricing:

Residents have two options for tree placement: For a fee of $350, the village provides the selected tree for planting on the resident's own property. Planting in the Public Right-of-Way: For $300, residents can sponsor a tree to be planted in a designated public area, enhancing communal spaces. The village collaborates with participants to determine optimal planting locations.

How to Participate: Application Process: Interested residents can apply through the village's official website or contact the Department of Public Works directly. Planting Schedule: Trees are typically planted during the spring and fall seasons, depending on optimal growing conditions. Maintenance Guidance: The village provides information on proper tree care to ensure the longevity and health of the adopted trees.

By participating in the Adopt-A-Tree Program, residents not only beautify their surroundings but also contribute to the environmental well-being of the Bayside community.

Whitefish Bay: Green Day in the Bay

Whitefish Bay’s hallmark Earth Day event is Green Day in the Bay, an annual eco-celebration that brings the whole community together. It’s usually held the first Saturday in May (a couple of weeks after Earth Day) as a grand finale to spring environmental activities. In 2025, for example, Green Day in the Bay.

Location & Time: Centered at Klode Park (5900 N. Lake Dr., Whitefish Bay) with satellite activities nearby. Festivities typically run from morning through early afternoon (roughly 8 am–1 pm). Some portions have specific times (see below). Parking is available around the park and on surrounding streets, but many families walk or bike in.

Cost:Free admission to all the park events and fair. (If you join the 5K run or are dropping off recyclables, see notes below – those are also free or low-cost services). No tickets needed; just show up!

Registration:No registration needed to attend the festival or fair at Klode Park. If participating in the 5K “Run the Bay,” you’ll need to pre-register and pay the race fee (often benefiting a local charity or school). For the Recycle Day drop-off, no registration – just check the list of accepted items beforehand and queue up in your car. Any hands-on clinics or demos at the park are open to all on a walk-up basis.

Key Activities:

“Run the Bay” 5K and Kids’ Fun Run – A casual 5K run/walk through Whitefish Bay’s scenic streets. Stroller-friendly, and a Kids’ Fun Run option is included.

Recycle Day Drop-Off – A large-scale recycling drive for hard-to-recycle items, located at Dominican High School’s parking lot.

Eco-Fair at Klode Park – Dozens of booths from environmental groups, sustainable businesses, and local organizations.

Kids’ Activities – Arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, face painting, and nature games.

Food & Refreshments – Sustainable food vendors and free water stations for refilling bottles.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Earth Day Programs

Schlitz Audubon offers guided hikes, nature education, and volunteer opportunities for Earth Day, including:

• Beach Cleanup – A morning volunteer event to remove litter from the Lake Michigan shoreline.

• Family Workshops – Seed bomb-making, tree planting, and guided birdwatching.

• Nature Hikes – Explore the trails, observe spring wildlife, and visit the Raptor Barn.

Doctors Park “Weed-Out” & Beach Cleanup

• Spring “Weed-Out” Volunteer Day – Families help remove invasive plants to restore natural biodiversity.

• Beach Cleanup – A casual, community-led effort to keep Tietjen Beach clean.

River Hills: Lynden Sculpture Garden

“Kites Over Lynden” – Earth Day Kite Flying

Families are invited to build and fly kites made from recycled materials.

“Dog Days” at Lynden

A special day where dogs are allowed at the sculpture garden for a nature walk.

Mequon Nature Preserve & Arbor Day Festival

Mequon Nature Preserve

• Earth Day Celebration – A guest speaker, guided hike, and kids' activities.

• Woodcock Wander Night Hike – Observe the bird’s unique courtship display.

• Volunteer Workdays – Tree planting and invasive species removal.

Mequon’s Arbor Day Festival

• Free Tree Giveaway – Hundreds of native tree saplings are distributed.

• Eco-Fair – Booths from nature organizations, plus family-friendly activities.

The big anchor events

Two back-to-back events on Saturday, April 25 form the centerpiece of Milwaukee's Earth Day calendar. The Milwaukee Riverkeeper 31st Annual Spring Cleanup runs 9 AM–noon at more than 90 sites across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties. Families pick a site from an interactive map — popular North Shore locations include Kletzsch Park in Glendale, Estabrook Park on the Shorewood/Glendale border, and Atwater Beach in Shorewood. Gloves, trash bags, and free T-shirts are provided for registered volunteers. A $10 donation per person is suggested but not required. Registration is required at milwaukeeriverkeeper.org. Kids of all ages are welcome with a parent.

Immediately afterward, the Rock the Green 14th Annual Earth Day Celebration takes over the Harley-Davidson Museum (400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee) from noon to 3 PM. This free, zero-waste festival features live music on a pedal-powered stage, baby goat yoga, a drum circle, raw food demos, and booths from environmental organizations. Cleanup volunteers 21 and older receive a complimentary beverage from Molson Coors. It's free admission, free parking, and fully family-friendly.

The City of Milwaukee's Project Clean & Green residential cleanup also launches the week of April 21, with zone-based curbside collection of furniture, yard waste, and bulky items running into early June. Check city.milwaukee.gov for your zone's pickup date. Additionally, the Milwaukee DPW Neighborhood Cleanup Boxes program places free 20-cubic-yard dumpsters at organized neighborhood cleanups every Saturday from April 18 through June 20 — community groups can reserve at 414-286-3345.

Museums are going all in on nature this April

The Milwaukee Public Museum (800 W. Wells St.) is in its final year in the current building, and Kohl's is sponsoring free admission all of 2026. April's "Greatest Hits" programming (April 1–May 3) celebrates the museum's iconic nature dioramas with interactive workshops, guided tours, scavenger hunts, and the 10th Annual Diorama-RAMA contest. The museum's signature Earth Day event, the BioBlitz, moves to Wehr Nature Center in Franklin for 2026 — a 24-hour biodiversity census where families can interact with real scientists counting species. The exact April date had not been posted as of press time; check mpm.edu for updates.

The Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Blvd.) hosts the most Earth Day–relevant exhibit in town: "Tulips to Bumblebees" (April 4–May 25). Visitors become "Bee Ambassadors" and journey through the Show Dome to meet the endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee amid hydrangeas, tulips, and daffodils, learning how to help pollinators thrive. Mark two bonus dates: 414 Day on April 14 offers $4.14 admission with extended hours until 8 PM, live Latin music, and free stickers; the Art in the Green indoor art festival on April 25–26 (9 AM–4 PM both days) features 24-plus local artists among the tropical domes. Weekly Storytime at the Domes runs every Wednesday at 10 AM, including April 22 — Earth Day itself. Note that the 27th Street Bridge is closed; allow extra travel time.

The Milwaukee Art Museum (700 N. Art Museum Dr.) hosts Art in Bloom from April 16–19, where floral designers fill galleries with arrangements inspired by the collection. While not explicitly an Earth Day event, it's a spectacular celebration of nature. Timed-entry tickets are $40 for adults, but kids 12 and under enter free. The Kohl's Art Studio offers hands-on art-making for all ages on Friday through Sunday. Tickets at mam.org/bloom.

The Betty Brinn Children's Museum (929 E. Wisconsin Ave.) offers a free admission day on Thursday, April 16 (9 AM–7 PM). Their Little Sprouts Lab, an indoor hydroponic food farm exhibit, is perfect for Earth Day conversations with younger kids. Regular admission is $15. No specific Earth Day event has been announced, but the museum has historically offered Earth Day upcycling crafts — check bbcmkids.org closer to April 22.

Discovery World (500 N. Harbor Dr.) hasn't announced a specific Earth Day event, but the Milwaukee Makers Market on April 12 (10 AM–4 PM) features local artisans and sustainable goods. The Reiman Aquarium and Great Lakes exhibits provide year-round environmental education. Adjacent Lakeshore State Park typically hosts a cleanup on April 25 as part of the Riverkeeper event — no vehicle sticker required.

Nature centers offer Earth Day programming

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee — bordering Fox Point and Bayside) runs Earth Month programming throughout April. The Earth Day Beach Cleanup invites families to clean Lake Michigan's shores while contributing citizen-science data to the Alliance for the Great Lakes' Adopt-A-Beach program (free with admission; date around April 22). Raptor Saturday on April 4 (1–2 PM) features live birds of prey with a citizen science and Earth Day theme — free with membership or $5 adult / $3 child admission. Every Sunday in April, Nature Ambassadors (noon–3 PM) offer guided hikes with live reptile and amphibian encounters, and Raptor Encounters (1–2 PM) let kids meet birds of prey — both free with admission. The Monthly Bird Walk on April 18 is free for members. Book fast: many programs, including the Woodcock Walk (April 8) and Audubon Babies sessions, are already sold out.

The Urban Ecology Center operates three Milwaukee locations — Riverside Park (1500 E. Park Pl.), Washington Park (1859 N. 40th St.), and Menomonee Valley (3700 W. Pierce St.). Their annual Earth Week Celebration (expected approximately April 19–26) is one of Milwaukee's largest nature-based celebrations, with bird walks, clothing swaps, kayaking, food workshops, and river cleanups across all three branches. Most events are free — and UEC membership itself is free for all Milwaukee residents. The detailed schedule typically posts two to three weeks before Earth Week at urbanecologycenter.org/calendar.

Wehr Nature Center (9701 W. College Ave., Franklin) hosts Hike for Health every Wednesday in April (10:30–11:30 AM, free), plus birding hikes, forest bathing walks, Little Wonders programs for toddlers, and the MPM BioBlitz. It also serves as the trailhead for the surrounding Whitnall Park trail system — a beautiful spring destination. Free admission; parking fee may apply.

Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St., Waukesha) delivers one of the best Earth Day lineups for young families. On Earth Day itself, April 22, the "Recycle Raccoon's Adventure" guided hike (10–11 AM, $6/child, adults free) teaches the 4 R's with the Waukesha County Recycles mascot — registration required at waukeshacountyparks.com. All month, the free self-guided Story Hike "What Matters" follows the Orange Trail (0.75 miles) through a picture book about picking up litter. Morning Bird Hikes run every Friday at 7 AM (free, ages 8+). The Earth Week Celebration Finale on Saturday, April 25 (10 AM–2 PM) is the main event: free exhibits, live raptor shows, planetarium shows, campfire with s'mores, kids' crafts, composting demos, and more — no registration needed.

Riveredge Nature Center (4458 County Hwy Y, Saukville) hosts three Ozaukee County cleanup sites on April 25 as part of the Riverkeeper event, and its annual Earth Day Service Fest typically includes garden planting, trail maintenance, a scavenger hunt, and a free volunteer lunch. The center's 485 acres of trails are open year-round. Check riveredgenaturecenter.org for the 2026 schedule.

Botanical gardens and the zoo welcome spring

Boerner Botanical Gardens (9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners) opens for the season on Arbor Day, Friday, April 24, with free admission and a tree-planting ceremony featuring local schoolchildren and the Milwaukee County Parks forestry team. Regular admission ($5–$8) begins May 1. The Rock Garden features Wisconsin wildflowers at peak spring beauty, and Margie's Children's Garden — with pollinator beds, bug sculptures, and an enchanted village — is a family favorite.

The Milwaukee County Zoo (10001 W. Bluemound Rd.) received one of only 13 national AZA Party for the Planet grants in 2026. Their Earth Day effort focuses on two community river cleanups (April 22–June 8 campaign window) in partnership with Milwaukee Riverkeeper and La Causa Charter School, emphasizing bird-friendly habitat and waste reduction. The zoo's spring blockbuster, Egg Day on April 4 (9:30 AM–3 PM), features scavenger hunts, face painting, a Bunny Parade, and animal enrichment demos — included with standard zoo admission. A premium Brunch Buffet package is $70 adults / $36 kids.

The Racine Zoo (2131 N. Main St., Racine) also earned an AZA Party for the Planet grant and launches its programming with a Zoorific Saturday on April 26, introducing monarch tagging and purple martin monitoring alongside Earth Day games, crafts, keeper talks, and textile/device recycling drives. Expect a morning Zoo Beach Cleanup on Lake Michigan as well. Regular admission is $10 adults / $8 children 3–15 / free under 2.

Western suburbs and Waukesha County

Beyond Retzer Nature Center's extensive lineup, Waukesha offers a Family Adventure Walk on April 11 featuring the book "Bear Wants More" — a free, nature-themed outdoor event (check waukesha-wi.gov for location). The city's Drop-Off Center (750 Sentry Drive) opens its extended April–November hours on April 1, now accepting credit cards, with free recyclable drop-off for county residents and food-scrap composting for city residents. Household Hazardous Waste Collection runs the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at UW-Waukesha (1500 N. University Dr.) — free for all Waukesha County residents.

Friends of Lapham Peak at the Kettle Moraine State Forest (W329 N846 County Hwy C, Delafield) hosts nature programs on April 19 (1–3 PM) and April 26 (11 AM–noon, sold out), including forest therapy walks, beekeeping talks, and habitat restoration volunteering. State park vehicle sticker required. Details at laphampeakfriends.org.

In Menomonee Falls, the Menomonee Falls Action Team typically organizes an annual river and park cleanup covering 58-plus sites — registration at Rotary Park, starting around 8:15 AM. The 2026 date hadn't been posted as of April 1; check mfactionteam.com.

The Hoyt Park area in Wauwatosa along the Menomonee River is a traditional Riverkeeper cleanup site on April 25. Note that Hart Park is undergoing flood-recovery repairs with limited access in spring 2026.

Southern suburbs, Racine, and Kenosha

Gateway Technical College in Kenosha (3520 30th Ave.) hosts "Celebrate Earth Day" on Saturday, April 18 (10 AM–1 PM) — a free, all-ages community event with displays, workshops, hands-on activities, and nonprofit booths promoting environmental stewardship. This well-established event has run since 2008. Details at gtc.edu.

Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary (880 Green Bay Rd., Kenosha/Somers) holds a Hike for Hawthorn Hollow on Sunday, April 19 at 2 PM, through 90 acres of woodlands, prairies, and Pike River Valley trails. Trail admission is always free. The sanctuary also organizes Earth Week volunteer arboretum cleanups. Details at hawthornhollow.org.

The City of Greenfield runs "Clean Up Green Up" in late April (registration deadline April 18) in cooperation with Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful — a free citywide litter cleanup of parks, waterways, and public spaces with supplies provided. Register at ci.greenfield.wi.us or contact travis.steuber@greenfieldwi.us.

South Milwaukee has historically hosted a community Earth Day event at the Grobschmidt Senior Center parking lot (2424 15th Ave.) with recycling collection — watch southmilwaukee.gov for the 2026 date.

The Kenosha Public Museum (5500 1st Ave., free admission) typically runs an Earth Day–themed children's program; check museums.kenosha.org for the 2026 schedule.

For a memorable day trip, the Horicon Marsh Earth Day Celebration runs Saturday, April 18 (10 AM–3 PM) at the Education & Visitor Center (N7725 WI-28, Horicon) — free and family-friendly, about 75 minutes northwest of Milwaukee.

Libraries and public programs

The Milwaukee Public Library Central Branch (814 W. Wisconsin Ave.) hosts "Meet the Director of Sustainability" on Saturday, April 25 (10–11 AM, free) — families can hear Erick Shambarger discuss his role and how to get involved in city sustainability efforts. North Shore libraries to watch for Earth Day craft events and storytimes include:

• Whitefish Bay Public Library — traditionally hosts an Earth Day Craft Saturday (10 AM–2 PM) with seed paper, upcycled kite-making, and eco-crafts

• North Shore Library (6800 N. Port Washington Rd., Glendale) — expect Earth Day storytime and green-themed craft workshops the week of April 20–24

• Frank L. Weyenberg Library (11345 N. Cedarburg Rd., Mequon) — past years featured Earth Day Storytime & Craft (10–11 AM)

• Retzer Nature Center / Bridges Library System — the "What Matters" Story Hike runs all April

Most library programs are free and don't require registration. Check individual library websites or the Bridges Library System calendar (bridgeslibrarysystem.org) in mid-April for confirmed dates.