Rock the Green hosts 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration Presented by Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Free community festival to celebrate local sustainability efforts
MILWAUKEE – Rock the Green will host its 6th Annual Earth Day celebration with a zero waste event presented by Milwaukee Riverkeeper. The event will feature eco-education from environmental organizations, a bicycle-powered stage and local food vendors. The celebration will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at picnic area 8 in Estabrook Park, Milwaukee.
“This year’s Earth Day river cleanup is an excellent opportunity for residents to come together and help restore our water resources,” Mayor Tom Barrett said. “And the Rock the Green celebration strengthens our vision of making Milwaukee a world-class eco-city.”
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is hosting its 22nd Annual Spring River Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon with nearly 4,000 volunteers joining together across the Milwaukee River Basin to pick up trash, get outdoors and help achieve swimmable and fishable rivers. The Earth Day celebration will take place following Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s river cleanup and will feature a concert by Trapper Schoepp on a pedal-powered stage provided by Milwaukee cycling clubs Black Girls Do Bike, The Velo Femmes, Cadence and Bubler.
Food will be offered by local and sustainable vendors that include Screaming Tuna Sushi & Asian Bistro, Yellowbelliestruck, DR. DAWG and Hardwood Cafe Food Truck. Speakers at the event will be Erick Shambarger, director of environmental sustainability for the city of Milwaukee; Jennifer Bolger Breceda, executive director of Milwaukee Riverkeeper; John Dargle, director of Milwaukee County Parks; and Lindsay Stevens Gardner, founder of Rock the Green.
Other zero-waste highlights include compostable serveware provided by Patra Eco-Dinnerware, landfill waste diversion with zero waste stations provided by Groot Industries and composting by Compost Crusader and Blue Ribbon Organics.
“Inviting the thousands of volunteers who will be removing tons of trash from our rivers to this Earth Day event merges action and education about the importance of preserving our environment,” said Bolger Breceda. “It will further inspire and empower all members of the community to maintain our waterways year round.”
The celebration will educate and empower attendees about the mission of Rock the Green and other local organizations focused on environmental efforts. Eco-education exhibitors include: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District (MMSD), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, OmTownYogis, Beevangelist, Urban Ecology Center, Bublr Bikes, Sweet Water — Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, U.S. Green Building Alliance, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office (including Milwaukee Shines, HOME/GROWN, Water Centric City, and Me2 programs), Reflo Sustainable Water Solutions, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Rock the Green and more.
Earth Day sponsors include: Milwaukee Riverkeeper, MMSD, Badger Meter, Anthologie Inc., Branigan Communications, Natural Awakenings of Milwaukee, Groot Industries, 88Nine RadioMilwaukee WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee Public Radio, Shepherd Express, Patra Eco Dinnerware, Milwaukee County Parks, Blue Ribbon Organics and Compost Crusader.
About Rock the Green
Rock the Green is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering the community to take actionable steps to live sustainably. Rock the Green accomplishes its mission through engagement and entertainment. Leveraging near-zero waste efforts, Rock the Green produces engaging events with a feather-light eco-footprint. Rock the Green educates through example, through spotlighting other environmental leaders in communities and by sharing experiences and eco-education with our fans.
