Earth Month 2026

Celebrate Earth Month with Pedal for the Planet—a 30-minute indoor ride.
Climb hills, hit sprints, and cruise the flats while moving your body and resetting your mind.

Free Bubblr for participants!
Limited to 19 riders.

Wear blue or green (optional).
No experience needed—just show up and ride.
Open to current MSU students and members.

Students from the Health Science Department will be providing an interactive activity on MAV AVE as part of Earth Month! Stop by their table to learn more.

Meet at the Rasmussen Woods Pavilion to join in a spring park clean-up.
Hike the trails with friends, enjoy the spring weather, and become a steward of Mankato city parks. All clean-up materials are provided by the City of Mankato.

Open to individuals and groups!

RASMUSSEN WOODS
APRIL 16th, 2026
4PM - 6:30PM

**PART OF EARTH MONTH! Search the 'Earth Month Events' tag to see similar events offered throughout April**

Join the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Andreas Observatory for an Astronomy Open House. Visitors have a chance to view a variety of objects - planets, stars, and galaxies - and hear from astronomy faculty and students about the latest discoveries and insights astronomers and astrophysicists have learned about the universe in which we live.

Weather dependent.

This event is FREE and open to the public. No registration is required.

Trauma-Informed Yoga is a gentle practice centered on safety, choice, and self-awareness. Expect slow movement, breathwork, and mindful options that let you move at your own pace. Trauma-informed approaches help support the nervous system and empower individuals to reconnect with their bodies in an accessible, respectful way.
Open to all levels - no experience needed.
No registration required; just show up.
Yoga mats provided.
Location: Pennington Hall 104
Duration: 60 minutes

Join us for a guided Forest Bathing Walk designed especially for college students seeking a break from stress, screens, and busy schedules.

Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, this experience invites you to slow down and engage your senses as we walk mindfully along the Fitness Trail. You’ll be guided through simple activities like deep breathing, quiet observation, and reflective pauses that help you reconnect with yourself and the environment around you.

No hiking experience is needed.

What to bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- An open mind

This event is weather dependent and updates will be sent to all who register ahead of time.

Join in an evening of fun while exploring Indigenous Astronomy at Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site. The event kicks off at 5pm with astronomy-themed activities provided by the Bell Museum and tours led by Jeffers Petroglyphs staff. Enjoy dinner provided by the American Indigenous Studies Program. From 7-9pm, Gina Kingsley, Indigenous author and guest speaker, will lead a presentation and discussion on how Mayan people interpret the heavens and how that relates to our night sky. Weather permitting, the event will culminate with a viewing of the night sky with telescopes.

RSVP to receive the registration link on April 11th! Registration for the in-person event will be limited to MSU students and staff. Space is limited and food/transportation options will be provided for those who sign up.

Community members may attend Gina's presentation virtually from 7-9pm by registering at http://link.mnsu.edu/indigenousastronomy.

This event is possible thanks to planning and funding from the following partners: Jeffers Petroglyphs, The Bell Museum, American Indigenous Studies, and the MNSU Environmental Committee.

Celebrate Earth Month with Pedal for the Planet—a 30-minute indoor ride.
Climb hills, hit sprints, and cruise the flats while moving your body and resetting your mind.

Free Bubblr for participants!
Limited to 19 riders.

Wear blue or green (optional).
No experience needed—just show up and ride.
Open to current MSU students and members.

Students from the Health Science Department will be providing an interactive activity on MAV AVE as part of Earth Month! Stop by their table to learn more.

Join Maverick Adventures and Nature Cataloguing Club to enjoy the early-Spring sights during a group bike ride and hike. Choose to meet us at Red Jacket Trail Park, carpool, or join a group bike ride with Maverick Adventures to and from the park.



Maverick Adventures is leading a group bike ride leaving from Otto Recreation Center at 2pm, with a 6.5 mile ride to Red Jacket Trail Park. Participants should be confident in riding a bike for 6+ miles each way on uneven and hilly terrain. Bikes can be reserved at https://link.mnsu.edu/biking or you can bring your own. Limited bikes and sizes are available.



Or meet us at Red Jacket Trail Park at 2:45pm, where Nature Cataloguing Club will provide a 'signs of spring' activity for our walk around the park. Plan for 1-2 miles of walking on gravel and packed-dirt trails. Dress for the weather, wear hiking shoes, and bring water.



RSVP here for carpooling or to meet us at the park for the walking trail.
To join the group ride or reserve a bike, complete the registration at https://link.mnsu.edu/biking.

This is a great opportunity to downsize, reduce your clutter or clean out your closets by donating gently used items. You can also stock up on kitchen items, home decor, games, linens, and more, all at no cost!

You may drop off items on Friday, April 10 from 4:00 - 7:00pm or during the event from 10:00am - 1:00pm on Saturday at the second floor employee entrance.

No registration required, just drop by to participate!

Hosted by Mankato Zero Waste

**PART OF EARTH MONTH! Search the 'Earth Month Events' tag to see similar events offered throughout April**

Mankato Zero Waste is looking for volunteers to assist with their annual Free Give and Take Event at Vine Community Center. Register to volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A48AAA822A3F94-62315201-zero

**PART OF EARTH MONTH! Search the 'Earth Month Events' tag to see similar events offered throughout April**

Take a break and join us for a chalked-out Mindful Mile around campus. This guided walking route invites you to slow down, breathe, and be present as you move. Along the way, you’ll find simple prompts to help you check in with your body, clear your mind, and reset your energy.

Meet at the front of the Otto Rec Center. Come as you are—walk at your own pace and take the time you need.

**CANCELLED due to poor weather**

Enjoy climbing, games, and a campfire with Maverick Adventures! Whether you climb often or are looking to try something new, join us for a chill evening at the Outdoor Climbing Pinnacle on campus. Take the short walk to the south side of campus (beyond the soccer pitch) and enjoy s'mores, hammocking, games, and climbing with your friends.

Open to the community and FREE for current MSU, Mankato students! Existing memberships will be honored and day passes can be purchased at the gate.

Climbing gear provided and no previous climbing experience necessary!

**PART OF EARTH MONTH! Search the 'Earth Month Events' tag to see similar events offered throughout April**

On April 6th, join the Environmental Committee and the Water Resources Center in a film showing of 'Kiss the Ground', FREE PIZZA, and environmental conversations. This event is free and open to the public as part of Earth Month at MSU, Mankato!

Kiss the Ground is an award-winning Netflix documentary that features activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians advocating for regenerative agriculture as a key solution for climate change. A film discussion will follow the screening facilitated by local regenerative farmer Scott Haase and Biology Professor Dr. Mriganka De. This event is free and open to the public. Ostrander Auditorium is located on the ground floor of the Centennial Student Union (CSU) at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Limited parking is available after 6:30 pm near the CSU in Lots 4a, 6, and 11a. Closer parking is available in the Visitor Paylot for a fee. Learn more about the other events going on during Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Earth Month Celebration.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Film screening begins at 6:45 p.m.; Discussion begins at 7:30 p.m.

This event is part of Earth Month! Each April, groups across MSU, Mankato plan Earth Month programming for the campus and community to engage in events focused on environmental sustainability, wellness, recreation, and equity. View the full calendar of events by searching the 'Earth Month Events' event tag!

Honor the energy of the full moon with this relaxing, grounding restorative yoga practice. Using long-held, poses, breathwork, and guided meditation, we’ll create space to release tension and reset the nervous system. This is the perfect opportunity to slow down, reflect, and reconnect under the moon’s luminous glow. All levels welcome—no experience needed.