The weather’s cooling off, but the fall green events are heating up! Check out our top free or low cost picks for fun, outdoor exercise, business building and community education below.
Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair – 9/3 – 9/5
Stop by the Eco-Experience, a 25,000 ft2 exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair to connect to local green organizations and businesses, enjoy hands-on activities, and pick up ideas on how to help the environment at home. Each day has a different theme, including Water Conservation, Green Your Kitchen, and Gadgets for Going Green through September 5th. For more information, please visit: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/living-green/events/eco-experience/at-the-minnesota-state-fair.html
Como MIMO Free Store 9/8 – 9/23
MIMO stands for Move In/Move Out, Southeast Como Improvements Association’s twice yearly waste reduction project. The goal is to address the massive amounts of curbside waste left after the fall and spring move in/move out cycles. Stop by to donate what you no longer need, and pick up free household or dorm goods. Open each Thursday and Friday through September. Join nearly 900 other folks on Sunday, September 18th from 1-5pm in Van Cleve Park for a free cookout. For more information, including hours of operation and address, please visit http://www.comogreenvillage.org/
Bike the Bridges of the Twin Cities – 9/10
Join the Sierra Club on Saturday, September 10th for an intermediate class, 30+ mile moderate pace bike ride around the bridges of the Twin Cities. For more information, contact Roxanne Stuhr (612) 558-3161 or Joyce Icardo (307) 690-7161.
Swap-O-Rama-Rama – 9/11
Clothing swap plus do-it-yourself workshops on creative reuse of recycled clothing equals Sunday fun! This national event is held locally at the Hack Factory at 3119 E. 26th Street, Minneapolis. For more information, please visit: http://swaporamarama.org.
Green Business Workshop – 9/13
Are you thinking of starting a green business, or would like to learn how to make your current operations more eco-friendly and save money at the same time? Then stop by the Eagan Community Center on Tuesday, September 13th from 8:30am – 10:30am for a green business workshop. To register for free, please visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z2PKVCT
Film Screening – Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time – 9/16
Attend a Minnesota premier of the acclaimed documentary film, Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time. The film explores the life of legendary conservationist, Aldo Leopold, and the many ways his land ethic idea continues to be applied around the world today. There’s a reception following the film, so look forward to meeting some great new people. The film will be screened at the Bell Museum of Natural History.
Green Day at the Farmer’s Market Annex – 9/18
Green is the theme for Sunday, September 18th at the Farmer’s Market! Stop by and meet some local green experts and learn simple things you can do with your family to make a difference, while picking up some local, sustainable yummies and flowers. You can also pick up a free tree seedling to replace the Christmas tree you’ll be using in December. There’ll be activities for kids as well as young adults from 9am – 1pm. For more information, please visit: http://www.FarmersMarketAnnex.com
Green Ideas & Ham – 9/20
Environment Minnesota is kicking off their fall Green Ideas & Ham breakfast series by taking on the science deniers at the Red Stag Supperclub at 8am. Last year, over 600 people attended presentations from leading experts in the transportation, renewable energy, clean water, and many other relevant fields. Don Shelby and Professor John Abrahams will be the special guests to kick-off this first event. Please visit www.environmentminnesota.orgto RSVP.
Coal, Climate, Health: Broadening the Public Dialogue on Energy Policy – 9/28
J. Drake Hamilton will speak about coal, climate and health at this seminar as part of the Frontiers in the Environment series at the University of Minnesota. Join thought leaders from around the Midwest and learn how to engage conservative audiences who are cautious, disengaged, or doubtful about climate change and clean energy solutions. This event is held at the University of Minnesota, and is free and open to the public with no registration required.
2011 Minnesota Solar Tour – 10/1
Sponsored by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, this self-guided, public Minnesota Solar Tour features 50+ exemplary homes, businesses, and institutions that have incorporated renewable energy into the design and operation of their buildings. Held on Saturday from 10am – 5pm.
Film Screening: “A Chemical Reaction” – 10/20
Join Clean Water Action for a showing of the inspirational film “A Chemical Reaction” and see how a tiny Canadian town stood up to pesticide companies to protect the residents' health. Screening is on Thursday from 7pm – 9pmat St. Anthony Main Theater in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit: http://www.cleanwateraction.org/mn.
6th Annual Northland Bioneers Conference – 11/12
This conference features Plenary lectures rebroadcast from the 2011 Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA, Lectures include those by Amory Lovins, Paul Stamets and Gloria Steinem. In addition to these lectures, there will be live keynotes, workshops, open space dialogue, and a silent auction. The event will be held at Macalester College Campus Center from 9am-9pm. The cost is $20 per person, $10 students and seniors. For more information, please visit: http://www.nbconference.org/.
Green Gifts Fair – 11/19
Do It Green! Minnesota offers their annual Green Gifts Fair right before Thanksgiving. The event is meant to introduce green gift options and low impact ideas to celebrate the holidays from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa to Winter Solstice, New Year's and everything in between! Stop by to begin your holiday celebrations on Saturday from 10am – 5pm at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis.
To find more local events…
A big thanks to the organizers of the following online events calendars. Click on the links below to find more local events for you and your family to attend: