Earth Day is right around the corner, and every year on April 22, more than 1 billion people take part in Earth Day activities. All around the world, communities, governments, organizations and individuals take action to make our planet a better place.

Celebrate this year by doing something to benefit our earth like picking up garbage in your neighborhood or taking part in an organized event in your area. Below are some ways to observe Earth Day this year if you live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Mother Earth Fest 2013 is a day of celebration that inspires people of all ages to take action for a healthy and sustainable Mother Earth.

• When: Saturday, April 20, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Where: 179 Robie St. E. in St. Paul
• There will be more than 100 informative and entertaining exhibitors in the rich and historic cultural diversity of Saint Paul’s West Side neighborhood. People of all ages will have the opportunity to move with balanced fitness and wellness activities, take time out to reconnect with the earth and enjoy tasty “green cuisine” foods that pack flavor without the plastic.
• For more information about Mother Earth Fest 2013, visit motherearthfest.org.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis will host the 19th annual Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup.

• When: Saturday, April 20, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to noon
• Where: Neighborhoods and parks throughout the city
• The Earth Day Cleanup has become the largest community service project in Minneapolis and takes place at nearly 40 cleanup sites. It is free to participate and the public is encouraged to participate by volunteering to help pick up trash in parks, neighborhoods and watersheds. No registration is needed — just choose a site and show up to help.
• For more information about the event and a list of cleanup sites, visit minneapolisearthday.com or call 612.230.6479.

Friends of the Mississippi River is hosting its annual Earth Day in the City: Minneapolis Watershed Cleanup.

• When: Saturday, April 20, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to noon
• Where: East 36th Street and West River Parkway, an oak savanna actively being restored by FMR Gorge Stewards volunteers, and East 44th Street and West River Parkway, a maple basswood forest also benefiting from Gorge Stewards restoration volunteers
• This cleanup is an Earth Day tradition in the Minneapolis River Gorge. People come from throughout the local river corridor neighborhoods and metro area — through churches, corporations and classes — to contribute to the health and vitality of the Mississippi River Watershed.
• For more information, visit fmr.org/participate/events/earth_day_cleanup_mpls-2013-04-20.

Minneapolis Recycle Run 5K

• When: Sunday, April 21, 2013 starting at 8:45 a.m.
• Where: Lake Harriet in southwest Minneapolis
• Register for the sixth annual Minneapolis Recycle Run 5K and free Half-Mile Kids Run, benefiting the Minneapolis Earth Day Clean Up. Preregistration is required, and you must register online by Saturday, April 13.
• Recycle your running shoes. Participants are encouraged to bring their used running shoes and shirts to donate for recycling.
• For more information, visit minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=1016.

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. An estimated 20 million Americans from all walks of life gathered on that day to demand action on the environment from themselves and their elected officials. For more on the origins of Earth Day, read “Earth Day: How It All Began.”