THU, APR 22 - SUN, APR 25: Clean Up the Tamarack Nature Preserve "Separately but Together" to Celebrate the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day
The Friends of the Tamarack Nature Preserve hope you can join us in celebrating Earth Day's 51st anniversary — separately but together.
As your schedules and the weather permit, take a break and get a little exercise outside in your neighborhood or local park. You might even try the Swedish-initiated activity of Plogging — a mix of picking up trash while jogging. If you’re able, please join us in collecting trash from and around the Tamarack Nature Preserve. Signs marking trash pick-up areas will be posted near the trail access points on Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day) through Sunday, April 25.
Step One: Bring Garbage Bags and Wear Gloves — Extra plastic shopping bags or any single-use containers that can be closed securely will also work. Just tie them shut and leave them at one of our designated spots. Wear gardening gloves or work gloves to protect your hands while picking up trash. Above all, stay safe!
Step Two: Plan Where to Pick Up Trash: Start with where you walk. Perhaps try a new route. The map above shows the trail system through and around the Tamarack Nature Preserve along with the locations of trash pick-up — marked in green — and areas needing significant clean-up (e.g. trails along Bielenberg Drive, Valley Creek Road, and behind the City Centre West businesses). Pick up trash large and small, including little pieces of plastic and cigarette butts. Leave natural materials such as fallen branches. Please remember to follow the Minnesota Department of Health recommendations such as avoiding groups (stay by yourself or with your household), not touching your face, and maintaining a safe distance from others. Did you know that the Tamarack Nature Preserve wetlands drain into the mighty Mississippi? This year, you have an opportunity to participate in a powerful community science project by recording your trash collection data in an app called the Debris Tracker and uploading it to The Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative. Click here for user-friendly details.
Step Three: Drop-off Trash Thu. Apr 22 - Sun. Apr 25 only: Carefully tie up all trash bags to prevent items from spilling out and blowing back into the park and surrounding neighborhoods. Drop off collected trash next to the posted Earth Day signs at the following trail access spots from Thu. April 22 - Sun. Apr 26, or dispose of properly. If you leave your collected trash, be sure it is on the side of the road by the curb and not on anyone’s private property. The City of Woodbury will handle pick-up and disposal if you leave it in a designated place.
Step Four: Share Your Success! (Optional): Take a photo of yourself or your group to share with us on social media. #CleanupWoodburyTNP