Earth Day cleanups around Michigan & where to volunteer

Michigan hosts several volunteer-led cleanup days near Earth Day. Here’s where to find them.

The State of Michigan celebrates Earth Day every year in April in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

This year’s Earth Day takes place on Apr. 22, 56 years after the inaugural designation in 1970. A day that started out as a movement for change at the policy level has also expanded into a day of practical movement.

All across the state, local towns and cities celebrate Earth Day by hosting annual clean-ups to pick up litter, clear out trash, and put in manual labor to beautify the areas we live in. These clean-up events are a great way to not only celebrate Earth Day but also to make an immediate difference in caring for the planet.

If you’re looking to get your hands dirty this Earth Day, here are 10 clean-up events happening across Michigan that would love for you to pitch in.

1. Waterford Township Annual Earth Day Cleanup

Date: Apr. 25

Address: Waterford Township

Since its establishment in 2016, over 400 volunteers have worked together in and around Waterford Township during its annual Earth Day clean-up event. On the 11th year of the event, volunteers will work on removing debris, filling up a donated dumpster, and helping to prevent waste from reaching the water table.

“We have many residents volunteer each year for Waterford Township’s Earth Day clean-up, putting their pride in their community to work,” notes Anthony Bartolotta, Waterford Township Supervisor. “It’s a great excuse to be outside, build quality teamwork or family time, not to mention experiencing the satisfaction of seeing people come together, making a real-time, positive impact on the Township.” He added an additional challenge for 2026: “Last year, we completed our 10th annual Earth Day clean-up, collecting 25 cubic yards of trash. This year, we’re going to break those numbers.”

Anyone interested in volunteering can fill out the 2026 volunteer form and sign the participation waiver online. You can also sign up for notifications about this year’s and future events. If you sign up, you can expect to either be assigned or choose your road assignment and help pick up trash from the side of roadways. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, a rake, and sunscreen, while water, garbage bags, insect repellent, and safety vests are provided.

2. Earth Day Extravaganza

Date: Apr. 19

Address: Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing

Groups, families, or individuals are welcome to join the clean-up fun at the Earth Day Extravaganza in the heart of Lansing. Volunteers can sign up for a morning (9:30 a.m. to noon) or afternoon (12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.) shift and perform clean-up duties such as removing invasive plants, cleaning up trails, or picking up garbage and litter. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can also sign up for both shifts, making your clean-up day an extravaganza of its own.

The organizers of the Earth Day Extravangza note that not only is the clean-up day beneficial to human residents and visitors of Fenner, but it’s also beneficial to the animals who call it home! Volunteers can sign up online and choose their shift and work preference.

3. Earth Day Clean Up, McCoy Creek Trail

Date: Apr. 25, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Address: 302 N. Redbud Trail, Buchanan

Buchanan, Mich., residents and visitors can band together for a day of cleanup on the McCoy Creek Trail. Volunteers will pitch in on tasks such as cleaning up trash and litter, recycling, and trimming overgrown brush and branches.

Refreshments are provided for volunteers, but they are asked to bring their own gloves and tools (like grabbers) if possible. Registration is not required, and anyone wanting to help is asked to meet in the commons.

4. Clinton Cleanup—Lake St. Clair Metropark

Date: Apr. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Address: Lake St. Clair Metropark 31300 Metro Pkwy., Harrison Township

Help out at Lake St. Clair with fellow Earth-minded volunteers during the Clinton Cleanup. Event organizers welcome groups, families, corporations looking to give back, or, of course, individual volunteers. Anyone age six and up can participate, but all participants are asked to register online by 4 p.m. the evening before.

While the park normally charges an admission fee, all volunteers will receive free admission on the day of the clean-up. Snacks and water will also be provided, along with all the necessary supplies to complete clean-up tasks. Volunteers will be assigned a “station” after check-in and will be expected to work independently.

5. Earth Day Litter Pick Up

Date: Apr. 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Address: 25900 Crocker Blvd., Harrison Township

Hosted by the Harrison Township Beautification Commission, Earth Day Litter Pick-Up is a rain-or-shine event to get the local area spring cleaning ready! Children are welcome at the event, but they must be accompanied by a parent. All participants must also register via email: Send a list of names and phone numbers, along with any children’s ages, to keehns@wowway.com.

Registration helps ensure the organizers have enough resources for all volunteers, as clean-up supplies will be provided. Water and snacks will also be supplied. All registrants are asked to meet in the parking lot behind the McDonald’s on Crocker Blvd. for assignment and supply distribution.

6. Earth Day Community Cleanup, Madison Heights

Date: Apr. 18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Address: City Hall Parking Lot, 300 W. 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights

Neighbors or visitors are welcome to join in on the Earth Day Community Cleanup in Madison Heights, Mich., for as little or as long as they would like. There’s no official “shift” volunteers must adhere to; instead, they can stop in to help for a few minutes or stay for the long haul.

All ages are welcome to the clean-up event, no experience needed, and supplies will be provided on the day of the event. Participants will also get a free day pass to try out rock climbing at Planet Rock, located at 1103 W 13 Mile Rd. Madison Heights.

7. Community Cleanup

Date: May 1-2

Address: Across Grand Rapids

The Community Cleanup initiative of Grand Rapids, Mich., encourages participants to get “down and dirty” with their neighbors to improve their living and recreation spaces. The Grand Rapids community has taken a task that may not be all that appealing at first—cleaning up trash and clearing brush—and made it a fun event. They even offer post-clean-up after-parties for all volunteers. Over 1,000 volunteers joined in on the fun last year alone.

The two-day extravaganza kicks off in downtown Grand Rapids and then spreads out through the city at different neighborhood locations. Volunteers are also privy to some fun perks, like a free meal during clean-up days and a week-long John Ball Zoo pass. Sign up online to be added to the list for volunteer updates and information.

8. Suttons Bay Inland Seas Campus Lakefront Cleanup

Date: Apr. 17, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Location: 100 Dame St #218, Suttons Bay

This event is part of the Adopt-a-Beach Great Lakes initiative, which allows you to search for clean-up areas on beaches near the Great Lakes. Taking place near Earth Day, volunteers can register online to be part of cleanup efforts near Suttons Bay.

Volunteers will need to be prepared to walk .5 miles along the Leelanau Trail to reach the clean-up site and should bring a reusable water bottle and something to carry trash in, such as a five-gallon bucket or a paper grocery bag with handles. Questions can be directed to team leader Lisa at lcook@schoolship.org.

9. Palmer Park Earth Day Cleanup

Date: Apr. 25, 9 a.m.

Location: 1121 Merrill Plaisance St., Detroit

I’m a little in love with the Palmer Park Earth Day Cleanup event because it really focuses on combining fun with beautifying our earth, all in the form of a fairy hunt. Because why not? This event would be a great way to introduce your kids to taking care of the Earth, as it invites families and people of all ages to find traces of magical Aziza fairies in the trees, all while cleaning up any trash that might make them less likely to enjoy the woods.

Of course, if fairies aren’t your cup of tea, you can still join in the non-fae fun and simply get to work on picking up trash, weeding, raking, and general cleaning. Part of the Earth Day’s celebration is that all volunteers will be treated to the sights and sounds of local artists and musicians in the woods. When your work for the day is done, you can also enjoy making butterfly and bird houses to welcome new creatures into their freshly cleaned space. Reserve your spot online for this day of (functional) fun.

10. Grand Haven Earth Day Litter Clean-Up

Date: Apr. 18, 10 a.m.

Location: Harbor Island

The West side of the state will be ready for Earth Day thanks to efforts by Grand Haven residents who are invited to gather on Harbor Island (by the restroom) for an Earth Day Litter Clean-Up.

Registration is not required, and supplies will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring reusable gloves and their own five-gallon bucket if they would like. Volunteers will be working along the lakeshore, so dress appropriately.