All morning events, except for paper shredding, will be held at Armory Square. All workshops are free, family-friendly, and filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Armory Square is an accessible building.
Starting at 9:00 AM
Arb Volunteer Work Event – Celebrate Earth Day with Tree Planting!
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Session 1 of 2) (25 person limit)
Registration Required
Help restore the forests of the Upper Arboretum. As part of the Northfield Earth Day celebration, we will be planting trees and guarding them with fences against beaver and deer. Please register in advance for the event – our sign-up will be available starting April 3, 2024. We will email you a few days ahead with information about our activity and where to meet. Wear closed-toe shoes, socks, and clothes that can get dirty. We’ll provide gloves and tools. Sign up for the event so we can plan and update you about any changes due to weather.
Bee Lawns
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
The workshop will cover the overseeding method for creating a bee-friendly lawn. Attendees will also learn about the different bee species and receive pollinator seeds.
Build Your Own Blue Bird House
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Session 1 of 2) (5 person max, FCFS)
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
Join us for a workshop where you can build your very own bluebird house! Not only are these beautiful birds to attract, but you can do your part in supporting the conservation of these birds by giving them a home that serves as a suitable nesting site. Our instructor has taught this workshop for years to groups of students at the Ney Nature Center in Le Sueur County. The first five people who show up at 9:00 AM and the first five people who show up at 10:00 AM will get a birdhouse. Parents are encouraged to attend but not required. We will have extra kits on hand for those who would like to purchase one to build at home.
City Paper Shredding
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
City of Northfield Maintenance Facility, 1710 Riverview Drive, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Northfield’s Paper Shredding Event is a free environmentally-friendly way for residents to dispose of old documents and clutter. Bring old bank documents, contracts, or any other paper that needs shredding in paper bags or boxes that can be removed from your car by event staff. Please note that this event is for residents only and is part of Northfield’s strategic goal towards sustainability. Vehicles must be in line by noon to be served.
How to Make a Garden Bed: Free Food, Help Yourself
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Armory Square
No Registration Required
Join Girl Scout Troop 27445 and learn how to make a garden bed. We will build the bed for “Free Food, Help Yourself” Boulevard Gardens. A shout out to those community members who tend to these beds to help provide “free food” for all those who walk by. If you would like to host a bed, please email us at northfieldearthday@gmail.com
Identification, Impact, and Management of Northfield’s Ash Trees Affected by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Shelley Evanson, a Horticulturist and Arborist working for the City of Northfield, will be discussing the measures taken by the City to combat the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) – the most destructive invasive insect on land in the past two decades across the country. The discovery of Emerald Ash Borer in Northfield was first reported in March 2023. Shelley will also talk about how residents can assist in monitoring the Ash trees and what they can do if they want to protect the Ash trees present on their property.
Indigo Dying
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Join Katie Seaburg and Maggie Miller to dye with indigo. Please bring one white item (cotton, silk, linen or wool) per person, like a tee shirt, socks, dish towel and create beautiful patterns with natural indigo dye. We will have a handful of dish towels if you forget an item or do not have one. See you there!
Make a Boomerang Bag
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Come and join us for a workshop to create reusable fabric bags and help tackle plastic pollution and fabric waste in our community! Northfield Boomerang Bags is a community-driven initiative that has already made 20,000 bags since 2017. Our presenter, Kathy Ness, will guide you through the process, and no sewing skills are required. We have collected fabric for this event, but you can also donate your own fabric (at least 1 yard long) if you want. Join us for a fun event, meet like-minded people, and contribute to a great cause. Let’s make Boomerang Bags “take-n-sew” kits and reduce plastic pollution. We hope to see you there!
Pollinator Boxes with Cannon Valley Makers
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Drop by to make a simple and attractive pollinator box with volunteers from Cannon Valley Makers. Pollinator nesting boxes are a visually interesting and ecologically important addition to your garden. In our drop-in workshop, you’ll put together pre-cut pieces to design your own box. Younger makers (4-10) are welcome with an adult helper. Cannon Valley Makers is a local non-profit makerspace dedicated to bringing the joy of making to as many people as possible. They believe in sharing resources like tools and know-how.
Tours of Carleton’s Sustainability Achievements
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Session 1 of 3)
Classroom 226, Second Floor of Carleton Recreation Center, Three Oaks Drive, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Join Carleton Sustainability Interns on a tour of Lilac Hill, our new sustainable student housing project, and learn about this project and other sustainability efforts on our campus. During the tour, you will see the design and energy savings of our district geothermal system. The interns will also share some of the sustainability projects that students work on. Tours are one hour long and leave at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM. For questions, contact Ashley Cohen & Elena Prichard at sustainability@carleton.edu.
Utility Biking in Northfield, MN; How to Replace Car Trips with Bike Trips
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Session 1 of 2)
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Join us for a workshop that dives into the fascinating world of bike infrastructure! Our workshop will provide an overview of the evolution of bike infrastructure in cities such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Minneapolis, and Northfield. We’ll discuss the importance of doing the easy thing first, planning ahead, being confident, and staying safe on the road. In addition, we’ll explore the concept of educating by doing, and how critical mass doesn’t happen overnight. The workshop will also cover a range of bikes and accessories for every project, giving you an overview of the options available to you as a cyclist. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just starting out, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about bike infrastructure and how it’s changing the way we move around our cities. So come join us and discover how you can make a difference in your community by embracing bike culture!
Water Conservation 101: How Big is Your Water Footprint?
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Do you ever wonder just how much water you use in a week? In a day? Clean River Partners and the City of Northfield are here to help. Together, we’ll learn about water footprints and what you can do to lower yours. From the laundry room to the bathroom, from the kitchen to the garden, we’ve got tips that will conserve water and put some extra dollars back in your pocket. Come for an interactive presentation and leave with some helpful handouts!
Starting at 10:00 AM
Build Your Own Blue Bird House
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Session 2 of 2) (5 person max, FCFS)
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
Join us for a workshop where you can build your very own bluebird house! Not only are these beautiful birds to attract, but you can do your part in supporting the conservation of these birds by giving them a home that serves as a suitable nesting site. Our instructor has taught this workshop for years to groups of students at the Ney Nature Center in Le Sueur County. The first five people who show up at 9:00 AM and the first five people who show up at 10:00 AM will get a birdhouse. Parents are encouraged to attend but not required. We will have extra kits on hand for those who would like to purchase one to build at home.
Composting for the Whole Family
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Join the Curbside Compost Cooperative at Armory Square for a family-friendly composting workshop. Learn through interactive activities about the science and methods of composting, and why it matters for the climate and local ecosystems.
Stormwater Smarts: Keeping Our River Clean
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
You’ve probably seen storm drains around town — those big metal grates on the side of the road, covering holes that seem to go nowhere. These drains actually lead right to the Cannon River, and whatever goes down the drain ends up floating amongst the fish! Join Clean River Partners to learn about the many ways we can take action to keep our river healthy. Whether it’s picking up pet waste and litter, planting a rain garden, or changing how you wash your car, everyone can make a difference. Come and enjoy some hands-on activities! This workshop is supported by the City of Northfield.
Strategies to Slow Down Global Warming with Citizens’ Climate Lobby
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
What approaches would you adopt to combat global warming? How would you tackle the climate crisis? Would you consider planting millions of trees, promoting the use of electric vehicles, electrifying households, or utilizing more wind turbines? If yes, then you can use the En-Roads simulation tool created by Climate Interactive at MIT in Cambridge, MA to experiment with your strategies. Howard White and other members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will assist you in evaluating your ideas.
Tours of Carleton’s Sustainability Achievements
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Session 2 of 3)
Classroom 226, Second Floor of Carleton Recreation Center, Three Oaks Drive, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Join Carleton Sustainability Interns on a tour of Lilac Hill, our new sustainable student housing project, and learn about this project and other sustainability efforts on our campus. During the tour, you will see the design and energy savings of our district geothermal system. The interns will also share some of the sustainability projects that students work on. Tours are one hour long and leave at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM. For questions, contact Ashley Cohen & Elena Prichard at sustainability@carleton.edu.
Utility Biking in Northfield, MN; How to Replace Car Trips with Bike Trips
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Session 2 of 2)
Armory Square, 519 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Join us for a workshop that dives into the fascinating world of bike infrastructure! Our workshop will provide an overview of the evolution of bike infrastructure in cities such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Minneapolis, and Northfield. We’ll discuss the importance of doing the easy thing first, planning ahead, being confident, and staying safe on the road. In addition, we’ll explore the concept of educating by doing, and how critical mass doesn’t happen overnight. The workshop will also cover a range of bikes and accessories for every project, giving you an overview of the options available to you as a cyclist. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just starting out, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about bike infrastructure and how it’s changing the way we move around our cities. So come join us and discover how you can make a difference in your community by embracing bike culture!
Starting at 10:30 AM
Arb Volunteer Work Event – Celebrate Earth Day with Tree Planting!
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Session 2 of 2) (25 person limit)
Registration Required
Help restore the forests of the Upper Arboretum. As part of the Northfield Earth Day celebration, we will be planting trees and guarding them with fences against beaver and deer. Please register in advance for the event – our sign-up will be available starting April 3, 2024. We will email you a few days ahead with information about our activity and where to meet. Wear closed-toe shoes, socks, and clothes that can get dirty. We’ll provide gloves and tools. Sign up for the event so we can plan and update you about any changes due to weather.
Starting at 11:00 AM
Tours of Carleton’s Sustainability Achievements
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Session 3 of 3)
Classroom 226, Second Floor of Carleton Recreation Center, Three Oaks Drive, Northfield, MN 55057
No Registration Required
Join Carleton Sustainability Interns on a tour of Lilac Hill, our new sustainable student housing project, and learn about this project and other sustainability efforts on our campus. During the tour, you will see the design and energy savings of our district geothermal system. The interns will also share some of the sustainability projects that students work on. Tours are one hour long and leave at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM. For questions, contact Ashley Cohen & Elena Prichard at sustainability@carleton.edu.