Results
City of Des Moines, IA
03/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/20/2026 07:45
Think Green This Spring Returns for a More Sustainable Future
Des Moines, Iowa - Friday, March 20, 2026 - This spring, Mayor Boesen is inviting residents to think greener and cleaner by joining the City of Des Moines for Think Green This Spring. The Think Green Digital Guide is packed with helpful tips, city programs, local events and other resources that promote environmental stewardship and align with the City's sustainability plan, ADAPT DSM.
Dig into this digital guide and turn those green thoughts into clean actions. Thinking green and acting clean means being mindful in everyday life, from double-checking your household recycling to stopping to pick up litter in our green spaces and along our roadways.
Some actions are easier than others, but when we come together and collaborate to foster a greener and cleaner environment, our pollinators, landscapes, wildlife and households all benefit. Use these programs and resources to green up your life and the world around us!
Think Green: At Home | With City Programs | At Events | Online
Think Green At Home and in Your Everyday Life
Whether you live in a house with a yard or in an apartment downtown, all residents are invited to join the City of Des Moines in greening up their spaces, no matter how big or small their actions seem.
Use these simple methods at your home and/or share these resources with others to think green and act clean.
Thinking green and acting clean can look like growing your own produce or shopping local farms at nearby farmers' markets.
Stormwater management can be critical in keeping residents safe and wildlife habitats intact when it rains.
*Collecting rain water not only limits over saturation of the soil causing flooding, but it also provides a great water source for gardens, in-door house plants and even washing vehicles.
Think green and act clean this spring by investing in your yard, local ecosystems and pollinator habitats.
From your home's energy bill to what you fill your home with, thinking green can not only improve your home but also your life!
Consider shopping small, local and sustainable this spring. Shop second-hand and vintage to keep old but still useful items out of landfills. Check out grocery stores that focus on eliminating waste and sourcing local foods.
Think clean by reducing waste, reusing what you can and recycling in your home.
*Be sure to secure your garbage and recycling bins before windy weather to help keep our streets and neighborhoods clean and litter free.
*Limit single-use products like paper plates, plastic cutlery and zip lock bags when possible.
Take Advantage of City Programs
Seeing residents thrive means seeing our environment thrive. From putting money back in your wallet and trees in your lawn to bringing community together to support local ecosystems, we are proud to help you think green and act clean. Departments across the City oversee programs to ensure subject matter experts can help us meet our goals outlined in ADAPT DSM. Many of these programs started as "seeds" many years ago and have grown to help countless residents, reinforcing Des Moines' long-standing commitment to environmental action.
Get involved and learn about the many City of Des Moines resiliency and sustainability programs offered throughout our departments.
ADAPT DSM
A community-wide climate action and adaptation plan for Des Moines (ADAPT DSM). Full of actions we can take together for a positive impact on our environment. Learn More
Adopt-A-Park/Trail Program
Des Moines Parks and Recreation offers and manages an expansive system of parks and trails with heavy usage from the public. To help keep green spaces clear of litter and debris, groups are able to "adopt" a section of trail or a park, helping keep public spaces safe, clean and green. Learn More
Adopt-A-Street Program
Adopt-A-Street is designed to increase public awareness of environmental needs along city roadways by making sections of certain roadsides available for "adoption." This program provides clean-up supplies for adoption groups to remove litter and debris from roadways. Learn More
Improving Our Neighborhoods (ION)
This Neighborhood Services Department initiative aims to strengthen old neighborhoods, keep residents in their homes and keep houses from deteriorating beyond repair by providing financial assistance to complete home and property repairs. Learn More
MEGA SCRUB
SCRUB or Spring Cleanup to Reduce Urban Blight invites residents to enhance neighborhoods by disposing of items in their homes and yards. Mega SCRUB is a household hazardous waste drop-off site, allowing the disposal of materials that could otherwise be harmful to residents, wildlife, and local ecosystems if not properly managed. Learn More
Neighborhood Flowers Program
Beautifying the city and extending the reach of flora for pollinators beyond backyards, private land and park spaces. This program connects neighborhood organizations with blooming plants to plant and tend to in public spaces. Learn More
In 2025, Mayor Boesen volunteered at the City Greenhouse to help with the Neighborhood Flower Program pick-up day.
Seed Library
Des Moines Public Library's Seed Library encourages residents to plant free seeds in their yard. Choose up to five seed packets per month, plant them in your garden, then save the seeds your garden produces and donate them back to the seed library. Learn More
Stormwater Best Management Practices Subsidy Program
Providing an incentive for residents to install proper stormwater management, this subsidy program helps enhance the water quality of stormwater runoff, decrease the amount of stormwater runoff that ends up in the storm drainage system and repurpose the energy and nutrients of stormwater for healthier soils and landscaping. Learn More
Tiny Trees Program
Des Moines Public Works' Forestry Division is making it easier and more affordable than ever for you to increase our urban tree canopy by planting trees on your property. Order up to five FREE tiny trees to plant in your yard. Orders will be accepted through Sunday, April 19, or until inventory runs out. Learn More
Urban/Community Gardens
Parks and Recreation offers over 200 plots for local gardeners to make use of at three locations across the city. Urban/community gardens provide a great resource for residents living in locations where backyard gardens are not feasible to grow their own produce. Learn More
Yard Waste Collection
Des Moines Public Works provides curb-side yard waste collection services year-round. Learn More
Collaborate At An Event
Grab your family and friends and make plans to attend a City event or one held by organizations from across Des Moines. Whether you're volunteering your time to clean up our green spaces or are looking to learn about the importance of pollinators, there are plenty of free and paid events across Des Moines for all ages!
Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Public Library are bringing exciting and impactful events for all ages to our community and ecosystem once again this year.
Garden Starter - Des Moines Public Library
- March 23, 2026; 1 - 3 p.m.
- Central Library
- Learn More
Gardening 101 - Des Moines Public Library
- March 26, 2026; 6 - 7 p.m.
- East Side Library
- Learn More
Grow Native: Seed Bank - Des Moines Public Library
- April 2, 2026; 6 - 7 p.m.
- South Side Library
- Learn More
Cache In Trash Out - Parks and Recreation
Mega SCRUB - Public Works
- April 18, May 16 & June 20, 2026: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Varies
- Learn More
Earth Day Trash Bash - Parks and Recreation
Repair Cafe - Des Moines Public Library
- April 19, 2026; 12 - 3:30 p.m.
- Franklin Avenue Library
- Learn More
Tiny Tree Giveaway - Public Works
- April 25, 2026; 8 a.m. - Noon
- Des Moines Greenhouse
- Registration Required (Order tiny Trees or sign-up to volunteer)
Mayor's Annual Ride - Parks and Recreation
Plant.Grow.fly: Mother's Day - Parks and Recreation
Perennial Divide - Parks and Recreation
- May 16 & 17, 2026; 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Des Moines Greenhouse
- Learn More
Check out other events put on by Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Polk County Conservation, Des Moines Public Schools Community Education, Drake University, Iowa Environmental Council, and more!
Celebrate Iowa's Outdoors Day
- March 24, 2026; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Iowa State Capitol
- Learn More
Seed Starting 101 - Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- March 25, 2026; 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- 909 Robert D. Ray Dr
- Learn More
Rain Barrel Workshop - Polk County Conservation
- March 29, 2026; 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Jester Park Outdoor recreation & Wellness Center
- Learn More
Pollinator Lawns (Home & Garden) - Des Moines Community Ed
- March 31, 2026; 6 - 7 p.m.
- Central Campus
- Learn More
Sprout Garden Volunteering - Drake University
- April - May 2026; Varies
- Drake University
- Learn More
Prairie Plants in Home Landscaping (Home & Garden) - Des Moines Community Ed
- April 14, 2026; 6 - 7 p.m.
- Central Campus
- Learn More
River Cleanup Day - Iowa Environmental Council
- April 15, 2026; 5-8 p.m.
- Principal Riverwalk
- Learn More
FREE Earthday Visit - Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- April 18, 2026; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- 909 Robert D. Ray Dr
- Learn More
Earth Jam - Drake Environmental Action League (Drake University)
"Green Cleaning" - Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- April 21, 2026; 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- 909 Robert D. Ray Dr
- Learn More
DIY-Home Cleaners - Polk County Conservation
- April 22, 2026; 6 - 7:30 p.m.
- Jester Park Nature Center
- Learn More
Eco Explorers (STEM) - Des Moines Community Ed
- April 24 - 27, 2026; 9 a.m. - Noon
- Central Campus
- Learn More
Recycled Art Lab (STEM) - Des Moines Community Ed
- April 24 - 27, 2026; 1 - 4 p.m.
- Central Campus
- Learn More
Pollinators Importance Class - Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- May 1, 2026; 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- 909 Robert D. Ray Dr
- Learn More
Let Your Green Actions Inspire Others
Along with highlighting items from this guide on our social media pages, we will also share ways the City of Des Moines is working to be more sustainable. Throughout spring, you can find posts about how departments across the city are working to make operations and daily life for residents greener and cleaner.
Wanting to inspire your neighbors or friends online? Jump in and join us in sharing ways you are implementing green thoughts and clean actions in your life. Share a recipe straight from your garden, a list of your favorite sustainable product swaps, a selfie of you and your crew picking up litter or a pic of a native garden in your yard helping pollinators and our local ecosystem thrive!
Make sure to tag us @DesMoinesGov and use #ThinkGreenThisSpring on Facebook and Instagram to share the love for our green spaces, our wildlife and our planet!
Partners
In March 2026, the City of Des Moines and the Iowa Environmental Council announced a new partnership centered on building the city's resilience to extreme weather and engaging more residents in sustainability work.
City of Des Moines, IA published this content on March 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 20, 2026 at 13:45 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]