City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department

Earth Day Trash Bash

Earth Day Trash Bash, is a collaboration between the Cities & citizens of Des Moines, Clive, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk County Conservation, Polk Soil and Water Conservation, Des Moines Water Works, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and Iowa Rivers Revival. 

Our historical Earth Day Trash Bash was modified during the pandemic and we've continued to evolve. This year's Earth Week continues to offer opportunities across a wide range of dates for individuals and groups from April 15-22. We want to make this as easy as possible for you to grab your "team" or sign-up alone. We will help you plan ahead, protect yourself and provide you opportunities to give back to continue making the Metro a great place to live, work and play in! 

All volunteers are invited to the "Bash" from Noon-1 p.m. to enjoy a thank-you lunch (presented by Iowa Rivers Revival), educational booths, and music by Bruce Day. Join us as we celebrate all your volunteer service in helping clean up and green up our community. Full event details are available online at Earth Day Trash Bash. 

Earth Day Trash "Bash" Schedule (Example)

• 12:00-1:00 p.m. Free lunch at  Cowles Commons-Downtown (presented by Iowa Rivers Revival)
• 1:00-1:30 p.m. Volunteers drive to their registered site
• 1:30-4:30 p.m. Volunteer Project
• 4:30-5:00 p.m. Cleanup and return tools. Post your Awards Pics/Submissions! #EDTB2023 @desmoinesparks

HAVE A GROUP? If you are wanting to select/hold spots for a confirmed group of volunteers, email us at trashbash@dmgov.org. We can send you a password-protected group sign-up so each individual can sign the online waiver/registration form for your group. Each person will receive their own confirmation. Hurry fast as spots will fill up quickly and are on a first-come/first-served basis. 

YOU-do-YOU/SELF-LED: Not seeing an organized Earth Week event that fits with your schedule? Pick a "You-Do-You" opportunity to give back via our self-led openings. You can still sign-up and then just share with us how much you did and where you cleaned to help our communities reach their goals. 

COVID-19: 

In order to comply with emergency proclamations by the Governor or Mayor, as such may be amended from time to time, and as public health guidelines evolve, for the safety of staff and the public, the Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel at any time. In addition, the Department reserves the right to change the registration requirements at any time. The Department will contact the volunteers as soon as reasonably possible with such cancellations or changes.

The City of Des Moines cannot guarantee that the volunteer or any of the event attendees will not become infected with COVID-19.  Volunteers and attendees use the City’s facility at their own risk.