Get involved in any of these multiple Cedar Falls Earth Day events

In celebration of the fifth year of Cedar Falls Earth Week, the city will host the first Cedar Falls Earth Fair from April 16-22. Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet. From climate change to plastic pollution, the challenges we face are real, but so are the solutions. To get the community involved Cedar Falls encourages individuals to help the whole week of the 16th-22nd in a city-wide clean-up around town.  

Cedar Falls’s events journalist Amanda Huisman reported details for the city-wide clean-up. “Any participants that plan to volunteer can pick up free clean-up supplies which includes a blue 30-gallon trash bags . Once filled, bags can be dropped off at the Transfer Station or placed near the shelters at Overman, Holmes, Clay Street, Seerley, Neighbors and Pfeiffer Parks.”

These blue 30-gallon trash bags can be picked up at the following locations during their regular business hours:

• Public Works Complex (2200 Technology Parkway)
• City Hall (220 Clay Street)
• Hearst Center for the Arts (304 West Seerley Blvd.)
• Rec Center (110 East 13th Street)
• Transfer Station (1524 State Street)

Looking to make a big impact cleaning up your community? Huisman said, “From past years I recommend high-traffic, visible areas: Brandilynn Blvd and Viking Road from HWY 58 to Menards, Greenhill Road from Hudson Road to HWY 58, HWY 58 to Cedar Heights Drive, South Main Street from University Avenue to Greenhill Road, College Street (18th Street to 29th Street), Seerley Blvd from College Street to Main Street, Center Street from 1st Street to Dunkerton Road, and the Grand Blvd/Cedar Heights area from East Street to the City Limits.”

This event is created to encourage people who live in Cedar Fall and surrounding areas to help to clean the community, but this also brings organizations and businesses together to partner up and participate, and this includes CF High School. Chris Wood, school counselor and co-leader of the volunteer/EATS environmental club said, “To celebrate Earth Day this year some members have coordinated a team of students to participate in the city-wide clean-up this weekend. This effort is yet another way we can get the students at CF involved in their community by volunteering their time after school to clean up litter in local parks in town.”  

Anna Gerdes, a student volunteer, encourages others to join. “It’s a great way to give back to the community and spend time outdoors. Even a little bit of time can have a big impact, and it feels good knowing you’re helping keep Cedar Falls clean and beautiful. This might be a stretch but we have seven student volunteers, so hopefully we can obtain the most bags because when a team/organization collects the most bags wins a mystery special award and visit from Cedar Falls Mayor Danny Laudick, which is cool. You can summit you bag count to Cedar Fall’s Public Works.”

Don’t want to clean alone? Downtown Community Clean-Up is on Wednesday, April 23, at 4 p.m. and Earth Fair will kick off Earth Week on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gateway Park (1st and Main Street). The Downtown Community Clean-Up is hosted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Dry Run Creek Watershed Improvement Project and SingleSpeed Brewing. 

Volunteers are asked to join in and help collect litter near the Cedar River as part of this event. Huisman said, “Individuals will be provided trash bags, protective gloves, high visibility vests, as well as guidance and sent out to collect litter around the downtown area and Cedar River. Upon completion, a beverage of choice will generously be provided by SingleSpeed to participating volunteers. The clean-up will take place rain or shine so please plan and dress accordingly.”

To kick off Earth Week, the City will host the first Cedar Falls Earth Fair on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gateway Park (1st and Main Street) at the large shelter. Activities will include a seed planting station, nature-themed crafts for kids from the Public Library and the Hearst Center, and the City will be giving away free tree saplings and prairie seed packets. Guests can also enjoy a lunch of hot dogs and chips provided by Cedar Falls Hy-Vee and mini cupcakes from Scratch Cupcakery. 

Huisman said, “There will also be educational booths and enjoy the displays from the Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Black Hawk County Conservation, Black Hawk County Solid Waste Management, Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation District, Cedar Falls Utilities, Steven Eilers- Horticulture and Natural Resource Coordinator at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Black Hawk County, Cedar Valley Stormwater Education Partnership and Cedar Falls Public Works with a variety of topics ranging from composting, gardening, pollinator and tree plantings, recycling and more.”

By participating in clean-up efforts, attending educational events, and getting involved in local projects, residents have the chance to make a meaningful difference right here in their own community. So grab a friend, get involved and be part of something bigger this Earth Week.