April 18, 2025
Events, Adventures, and Eco-Friendly Fun for Everyone!
At CPAWS Manitoba, we love Earth Day — it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate our beautiful province and the people who are working hard every day to protect it. Whether you’re into nature walks, kids’ crafts, live music, or community cleanups, there’s something happening for everyone!
We’ve rounded up a bunch of Earth Day happenings from our amazing friends across Manitoba. It’s inspiring to see so many organizations, parks, and local businesses stepping up not just for Earth Day, but all year long, helping to protect our lands, waters, wildlife, and future generations.
So grab your reusable water bottle, throw on some sturdy shoes (or maybe even a costume — you’ll see why!), and get ready to celebrate this planet we all call home.
Here’s your guide to Earth Day 2025 in Manitoba!
Earth Week at The Forks (Winnipeg)
This year, The Forks is celebrating Earth Day in a huge way — with a full week of fun, educational, and inspiring activities from April 21 to 26, all focused on sustainability and caring for the planet.
And when it comes to going green, The Forks is no stranger. For over 15 years, they’ve been leading the way with their bold Target Zero initiative — aiming for zero garbage, zero water waste, and zero carbon emissions. With nearly 4 million visitors each year, that’s a massive goal, but they’re making incredible strides by reducing landfill waste, cutting emissions, conserving water, and powering their buildings more efficiently — all while maintaining a vibrant and welcoming public space.
Throughout Earth Week, you can enjoy plant-based menu specials, hands-on eco workshops, compost giveaways, and Target Zero Eco Tours that highlight their innovative sustainability practices. The week wraps up with a community celebration at the Earth Week Wind Up, featuring a compost giveaway, an e-waste drop-off, and a Sustainability Hub where you can connect with local climate-focused organizations. For full details visit theforks.com.
Earth Day Programs at the Children’s Museum (Winnipeg)
The Children’s Museum is getting ready for Earth Day with a weekend of green-themed fun and educational activities perfect for young eco-enthusiasts. On April 19 and 20, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, families can enjoy interactive programming designed to inspire environmental stewardship in playful and engaging ways.
Join the CPAWS Manitoba education team for their on-site Habitat hide and seek scavenger hunt! Explore a map of four different Manitoba ecosystems and search for animals that may be hiding. Use one of our premade collectible cards and colour the animal and draw in some major parts of its habitat. Or create your own card by drawing the animal and drawing their habitat! You can add any facts you may know about the animal or learn more about them from our educators! Our educators will be there to guide children through the activity and spark conversations about habitats, adaptations, and relationships between organisms in ecosystems!
Special guests from Recycle Everywhere will be on-site with their fast-paced, eco-friendly “What Goes Where” magnetic sorting game, helping kids learn how to properly sort waste and care for the planet through hands-on discovery and fun challenges.
These Earth Day activities are included with general admission. It’s a wonderful way to get children excited about sustainability while having a great time at one of Winnipeg’s most beloved family destinations.
Earth Days at the Manitoba Museum (Winnipeg)
Celebrate, investigate, and initiate change during Earth Days at the Manitoba Museum! Taking place on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20, this special weekend of programming explores the vital role that water and ice play in shaping our climate, our landscapes, and the lives of people, plants, and animals.
Follow a self-guided Explorer Trail through the Museum Galleries to uncover how these elements influence life on Earth, dive into ocean science and sustainability in the Science Gallery, and catch the brand new Planetarium show, Voyage of the Stars, which draws fascinating connections between space and the sea.
It’s a fun and thought-provoking way to learn how we can all help keep our planet healthy — together! For more details visit manitobamuseum.ca
Brandon’s Earth Day Community Cleanup & E-Waste Collection
Join the Brandon Earth Day Committee and the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) for a powerful day of environmental action at the Riverbank Discovery Centre! On Saturday, April 20, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, community members are invited to roll up their sleeves for a city-wide cleanup and bring their unwanted electronics for safe, secure recycling.
Accepted items include laptops, computers, phones, gaming consoles, stereo equipment, and more — all of which will be refurbished and donated back to individuals and organizations in need across Manitoba. It’s a fantastic way to responsibly declutter, reduce landfill waste, and give back to the community at the same time.
Earth Day Celebration and Rally – Hosted by Seniors for Climate (Winnipeg)
Join Seniors for Climate, Monday, April 22 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM for an Earth Day celebration and rally like no other — filled with music, dance, and chants for climate action and renewable energy!
This joyful, high-energy gathering is all about raising our voices in hope, celebrating our beautiful planet, and calling for a sustainable future powered by clean, green energy.
Bring your posters, paint your flags, sculpt something wild, dress up in your best nature-inspired costume, and deck out your bike! It’s a celebration and a statement.
MBGA Adopts Westview Park – Earth Day Start (Winnipeg)
The Manitoba Geocaching Association is celebrating the adoption of Westview Park, also known as Garbage Hill, with a cleanup event on April 22 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Join them in caring for this beloved community space.
Earth Day Activities at FortWhyte Alive (Winnipeg)
We love our friends at FortWhyte Alive! Their passion for connecting people with nature and building a more sustainable future perfectly aligns with our mission at CPAWS Manitoba — and we’re so excited to celebrate Earth Day with them again this year.
On Sunday, April 27, FortWhyte Alive is hosting an inspiring Earth Day celebration filled with hands-on activities, outdoor fun, and community connections that invite people of all ages to be environmental stewards. From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, explore the grounds, enjoy nature-based adventures, and visit with a vibrant lineup of local organizations making a difference for our planet — including Winnipeg Public Library, Urban Forestry, Access Credit Union, Winnipeg Trails Association, Prairie Garden, Mother Earth Recycling, the Electric Vehicle Association of Manitoba, Climate Action Manitoba, CPAWS Manitoba, Bike Week Winnipeg, CBC, and more!
Be sure to stop by the CPAWS Manitoba table to say hello! We’ll be sharing [insert CPAWS activities, giveaways, or displays here], and chatting about how we can all help protect the lands, waters, and wildlife we love.
There’s even more to celebrate this year with the grand opening of Buffalo Crossing, FortWhyte’s stunning new interpretive centre and gathering space! The ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place on April 23, and to mark the occasion, admission to FortWhyte Alive will be FREE from April 23 through April 27 — the perfect excuse to come explore, learn, and celebrate nature with the whole family.
For more details, visit fortwhyte.org.
Party for the Planet at Assiniboine Park Zoo and The Leaf (Winnipeg)
Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month with a Party for the Planet at Assiniboine Park Zoo, The Leaf, and throughout the Park! With fun, free, and family-friendly programming running through April and May, there’s something for everyone — from conservation tours to DIY workshops to birding adventures.
- Earth Day Tours at the Zoo | Saturday, April 26
Join the Zoo’s Education and Programs Team for a 60-minute guided walking tour highlighting wildlife conservation efforts. Tours run throughout the day and are included with Zoo admission — no registration required! - Window Curtain Workshop at The Leaf | Saturday, April 26
Help prevent bird-window collisions by making your own DIY outdoor window curtain! Hosted by the Conservation and Research Team. Free program, registration required. - Shoreline Clean-up at the Park | Sunday, April 27
Help protect local waterways and wildlife by joining a community cleanup along the Assiniboine River. Supplies and snacks provided — register in advance or drop in! - Flock Walk Guided Birding | Saturday, May 24
Discover the tail end of migration season with expert guides from the Education and Conservation teams. Registration required. - BioBlitz | Saturday, May 24
Join the biodiversity challenge by using iNaturalist to document species in the Park. Explore at your own pace, check in at the Cargo Bar, and contribute to community science!
All Party for the Planet programs are free and made possible with support from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Some require registration — visit AssiniboinePark.ca for full details.
Celebrate Earth Day Your Way – Anytime, Anywhere!
Can’t make it to one of the scheduled events? No problem! There are plenty of ways to connect with nature, care for the planet, and celebrate Earth Day on your own, with your family, or in your community.
Here are some simple, meaningful activities you can do:
Try Nature Journaling
Grab a notebook, head outside, and take note of what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Observing and documenting nature is a beautiful way to build a deeper connection to the world around you.
Meditate in Nature
Find a quiet spot outdoors and spend a few moments grounding yourself. Listening to birdsong or the rustling of leaves can help reduce stress and boost well-being.
Go on a Nature Walk
Whether it’s a city trail, a provincial park, or just around your block, spending time outside is a wonderful way to appreciate nature. Find inspiration on our Manitoba Trails page for trails all around Manitoba!
Take the Litter Challenge
Make a difference with just a few minutes of your time! Join the CPAWS Manitoba Litter Challenge by grabbing a bag and gloves and spending 15–30 minutes picking up litter in your neighbourhood, at a local park, or along your favourite trail.
This simple act helps protect wildlife, keeps natural spaces beautiful, and prevents pollution from entering our waterways. Whether you’re heading out solo or organizing a group cleanup, every piece of trash you pick up counts!
Snap a photo of your litter haul and share it with us on social media using #CPAWSLitterChallenge — you might even be featured on our page!
Read Eco-Themed Books with Your Kids
Curl up with books about nature, animals, and the environment to spark curiosity and caring in young minds. Libraries and local bookstores often have great Earth Day displays to browse. We love the book, Kids Who Are Saving the Planet, by Laurie Calkhoven. Discover how five inspiring kids are taking action to protect the planet through creative projects like lemonade stands, petitions, and comic books—plus get ideas for how young readers can make a difference too!
Create Nature Art
Get creative using natural materials like leaves, twigs, stones, and flowers. Make a mandala, a leaf rubbing, or a sculpture out of sticks and mud! Just remember to leave living things where they are and return your materials to nature when you’re done. It’s a great way to explore textures, patterns, and shapes while appreciating the beauty of the outdoors.
Start a Windowsill Garden
No backyard? No problem! Use small containers or repurposed jars to plant herbs, wildflowers, or veggies on your windowsill. Growing your own plants—even indoors—is a great way to learn about ecosystems, pollinators, and the importance of green spaces. Bonus: it’s super satisfying to watch something you planted grow!
Speak Up for Nature
Help protect lands and waters by letting decision-makers know you care. Sign a postcard and send a message to your government officials about why nature matters. You can do it in under two minutes at cpawsmb.org/campaigns.