Events & Activities:

April 7-22 | Pre-order Online: Native Plant Sale | Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Enhance your green space while attracting pollinators. Native Plant Sale in support of children’s environmental education

In partnership with Good Oak Ecological Services and Quercus Land Stewardship Services, we are holding a native plant sale just in time for Earth Day! Order native plants and pick them up at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center starting Saturday, April 19th. Native plants are sold as 2×2 plugs and are $5 each. Learn more.

Tuesdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29 | Nature Play Group | Monona Public Library

Meet new friends in nature.  Nature Playgroup is an excellent way for children and their adults to socialize. We meet in the green space outside the children’s area entrance off of Schluter Road.

Activities may include but are not limited to open-ended play, blocks, storytelling, puppets, scavenger hunts, crafts, and more!

Ages 2-6 but younger and older siblings/friends are always welcome. If the weather is questionable (too cold/chance of storms/other advisories), we move our nature-themed activities into the storyroom.   Learn more.

Friday-Sunday, April 11-13 | Lil’ Badger Consignment Sale | Monona Community Center

Go green, buy used.  Buy and sell gently used baby gear, kids clothing, toys, games, books, puzzles and more! Sizes for babies, toddlers, kids, tweens and teens!  Learn more.

April 12 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am | Quarterly Earth Day: Land Steward Work Day Family Clean UP | Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Saturday, April 12 | Clean Up Day | San Damiano Park

Care for green spaces while enjoying lakefront views.  Join us for an early Earth Day celebration as we come together to care for the captivating 10-acre San Damiano property. Roll up your sleeves and help with important seasonal tasks, including picking up litter, freshening up flower beds, spreading mulch, and clearing sticks from the lawn.

After the clean-up, Friends of San Damiano invites all volunteers from the past year to attend a Volunteer Appreciation Event. Enjoy light refreshments, relax, and connect with others who share a love for this unique Lake Monona property.  Learn more.

Monday- Saturday, April 14 – April 19 | City of Monona Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event | Clean Sweep

Reduce and reuse. Monona residents can purchase a discounted voucher ($5, instead of $15) to enter the landfill for waste disposal or reuse at Clean Sweep.  After source reduction, we advocate for reuse of materials whenever possible. Clean Sweep accepts products that are still useable and redistributes them in their Product Exchange Room. Common items that can be picked up for free include: paints, solvents, cleaners, lawn and garden products, and automotive products.  Learn more.

Monday, April 21 | Trash Bash | Monona Parks & Recreation

Celebrate Earth Day with a spirited clean up of our community.  The timer is set. Here’s your chance to do your part! Join Monona Parks & Recreation for the DO MORE Trash Bash. We provide trash bags and disposable gloves, you supply the hands! See how much trash you can pick up before the clock runs out. See how much cleaning you can do in 1 hour — competitively!

Check-in:                         12:30 – 1:00 pm
Clean-Up Time:              1:00 – 2:30 pm
Clean-Up Locations:      Park Spaces

Step 1: Choose to participate!
Step 2: Register! That’ll allow you to legitimize your presence.
Step 3: Show Up and Show Off!

Learn more & register.

Tuesday, April 22 | Eco-Action Tuesdays | Monona Public Library

Celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day with environmental authors.  Jerry Apps and Natasha Kassulke will be at the Monona Public Library!

Join us on the 55th anniversary of Earth Day for a special event featuring Jerry Apps, renowned Wisconsin historian and author, as he reflects on his legacy of environmental writing. This discussion, which includes his co-author of Planting and Idea: Critical and Creative Thinking About Environmental Issues, Natasha Kassulke, will explore the role of storytelling in environmental conservation and the importance of fostering a sustainable future. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from one of the state’s most celebrated voices in environmental literature.  Learn more & register.

Thursday  – Saturday  April 24 – 26, 8-4p | Dean House Back Porch (Garage) Sale 

Reuse!  Everything we need already exists.  Find a large variety of items from antique to modern. Proceeds support the work of Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society and the maintenance of the historic Nathaniel & Harriet Dean House museum.  Learn more.

April 25 | Arbor Day Tree Planting | Monona Parks & Recreation

Add more green to your space.  Order tree varieties sure to survive in our climate, with discounts available through a bulk order made by Parks & Recreation.  Order in February, pick up in April.  Learn more.

April 26 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am | Bird & Nature Adventures | Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Get out and enjoy nature.  Join a naturalist for an easy, family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into the beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. These are free nature outings and no registration is required. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature partner groups Madison Parks, Madison Audubon, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, and Friends of Edna Taylor Conservation Park.  Learn more.

April 26 @ 9-12:30pm | Dash for Down Syndrome | Gigi’s Playhouse @ Winnequah Park

Enjoy our green spaces while supporting a great cause.  Calling all superheroes! Join our 4th annual Dash for Down Syndrome and show the world what Superheroes really are. This family friendly and inclusive event allows you to show your support for the Down syndrome community while having a ton of fun. Start the day with a 5k fun run/walk or 1 mile walk and then enjoy field games, visit community tables, meet Bucky Badgers and Princesses, take part in the popular kids dash and enjoy treats and special surprises.  Register as a team or individual to sprint, jog, walk, or cheer.   Learn more.

Saturday, April 26 @ 8-12pm | FREE E-Cyling Event | Goodwill Monona @ Hilldale Madison

Head to Madison to support a sustainable Monona business.  Mark your calendars, pack up your donations, and join us at HILLDALE for a FREE E-cycling event. All electronics in any condition (except TVs/Tube TVs) can be dropped off for safe recycling. Wrap up your spring cleaning and bring along any clothing and household items for quick and easy donation.

Drive up, Drop off, Do GOOD!
Hilldale South Parking Lot (behind L.L. Bean)  Learn more.