The 10th annual Kansas River Cleanup is coming up Saturday morning, to be followed by the Lawrence Earth Day Fair.
Dawn Buehler, Kansas Riverkeeper and executive director of Friends of the Kaw, said the organization started the project 10 years ago to provide a service project opportunity to celebrate Earth Day.
“We heard from our members and supporters that they wanted a way to give back,” Buehler said in a news release announcing the cleanup. “This event has become a staple for the celebration of Earth Day and we typically see around 100 people participate. Giving back is a great way to celebrate the Kansas River and our planet.”
The cleanup is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at North Second Street and Locust Avenue in Lawrence. Learn more at this link and RSVP to help out at this link.
The Earth Day Fair, hosted by the City of Lawrence and the Watkins Museum of History, will include fun and family-friendly activities from 1 to 4 p.m. that afternoon at South Park.
Some planned activities include a bird walk through the park with the Lawrence Bird Alliance, worm composting, an oil spill cleanup simulation with KU STEMteach Club, Richard Renner’s Recycle Cycle and much more. Some animal friends from Prairie Park Nature Center will also make an appearance.
More events to celebrate the earth:
• “Jennie Brooks: A Nature Lover in Lawrence”: Historian Jeanne Klein will speak about Brooks (1853-1934), a local woman who studied plants and wildlife and was one of the first observers of monarch butterfly migrations.
That’s set for 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 19 at the Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St. It will also be livestreamed on the Watkins Facebook and YouTube channel. Learn more at this link.
• Wakarusa Wetlands Celebration: Haskell Indian Nations University, the Lawrence Public Library and Raven Book Store are hosting a celebration of the Wakarusa Wetlands. That’s set for 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, April 21, beginning with a special land recognition at the Medicine Wheel Earthwork south of the Haskell campus buildings.
“Meet Dr. Daniel Wildcat and more local authors & artists as they share connections of their creative work to the wetlands and more of the outside world — enhancing our connections to nature, a sense of place and community,” according to the city’s Earth Day website.
• Trails That Connect Us returns from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25 at Free State’s Eastside Bottling Facility, 1927 Moodie Road. The event will be held along the Burroughs Trail.
“You’ll find beer, food, music, a brewery open house, activities, and numerous features on local trails and activities. Share memories and tales with other explorers and gather insights on new adventures in our region,” according to a news release from organizers.
There is access from the Burroughs Trail, so cycling or walking to the event is encouraged. A rain date is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26.
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