The 14 Annual Minneapolis Watershed Clean Up will take place Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 9:30 am to Noon at 35 locations around Minneapolis. Join your neighbors for a day of service and a lifetime commitment to the environment.

A collaborative effort between the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPR) and City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling, the Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean Up was initiated in 1995 to draw attention to the water quality improvement needs of Minneapolis’ lakes and the effect individual actions have on urban water quality. The goal of Earth Day is to provide both a volunteer experience and environmental information to Minneapolis residents and park users who participate in the event. This annual event involves cleaning major watersheds and water bodies in the City of Minneapolis including: the Chain of Lakes, Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha, Powderhorn Lake, Diamond Lake, Shingle Creek, Minnehaha Creek, Bassett’s Creek and the Mississippi River. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers at 25 locations around Minneapolis removed over 17,000 pounds of garbage for our neighborhoods, parks and watersheds. For more information about the event, please visit www.minneapolisearthday.com

New this year, the Minneapolis Recycle Run will take place Sunday, April 20, 2008, at Lake Harriet. Join your family and friends on a walk around beautiful Lake Harriet and give back to the environment. Proceeds from teh Recycle Run will benefit future Minneapolis Earth Day efforts. For more information about the run, please visit www.minneapolisrecyclerun.com

Get a Compost Bin Dirt Cheap For Earth Day 2008

Hennepin County has partnered with Bachman’s, Lakewinds Natural Foods and The Reuse Center to sell compost bins. Backyard composting is an easy way for residents to turn much of the waste from their yards and kitchens into a rich material that can be used to improve the soil. Using finished compost on lawns and gardens will provide an organic fertilizer, suppress weeds, and hold moisture in the soil.

The bins are being sold at a reduced cost of only $35. The compost bin features a 13-cubic-foot capacity, a sturdy, easy-to-open lid, two harvesting doors, and is made of black recycled plastic. There is a limit of one bin per household.

Residents must pre-order by April 1 online at www.hennepin.us/compostbinsale. Payment will be made at the time of pick-up during regular store hours. Bins will be available for pick-up on April 19 through Earth Day, April 22. Residents can choose from the following locations:

Bachman’s, 6010 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis

Lakewinds Natural Foods 17501 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka

The Reuse Center, 2801 21st Ave S., Minneapolis

If residents miss the pre-order deadline, a limited quantity of bins will also be available at Hennepin County’s Drop-off Facility in Brooklyn Park. Bins will be available for purchase on a first come, first serve basis on Wednesday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm, beginning April 23. No pre-order is necessary. Bins are available while supplies last.

For general questions about the compost bin sale, see www.hennepin.us keyword search “compost bin” or call Hennepin County Environmental Services at 612-348-9266.