Litter League is a collective effort to bring together and activate youth in Minneapolis parks and neighborhoods, inspired by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 1 Commissioner, Billy Menz, longtime Northside youth coach, Mike Tate, and Seeds to Harvest, led by Brett Buckner and Mike Tate, among many other collaborating partners. Litter League will organize youth from across the region that together, through monthly service projects, promote environmental practices and community engagement to help heal the environment. Participants will provide leadership for the community in areas such as water protection, waste reduction, and carbon reduction.
How Can You Participate?
Litter League is a new opportunity this summer and is currently open for team registrants! If you would like to register as a team please contact Brett Buckner, brett1mn@gmail.com. If you would like to participate, but don’t have a team already formed, you will be assigned to a team after the first couple of events. The Litter League will also be open to volunteer teams who would like to partake in the clean-ups, but not be as involved in the challenges. This is a great opportunity for individuals outside of the age range to get involved!
The first monthly service project will be on Saturday, April 23, featuring their 10,000 Trees Earth Day event at North Commons Park. This hour of service is open to all! The League will meet near the pool area at North Commons Park at 9:45am. The first half hour will focus on tree-planting and the second half you will learn all about drain maintenance and clean-up.
Details of the League
The League will consist of 10 teams of youth ages 8-14. Teams can be any size up to 25 individuals. Each team will pick a color and mascot and receive specialized T-shirts to wear throughout the challenges and will also receive hats, gloves, and bags. Additionally, participants will receive $15 per hour in return for their work at each challenge.
Points will be earned by completing a series of monthly service projects and gaining points based on:
Participation – points per active team members, up to 25 each challenge;
Assignment – completion of challenge;
Involvement – social media promotion and reach via Litter League page – points for likes & engagement;
Leadership – how teams work together towards environmental outcomes.
Join us in the Parks!
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is excited to join Litter League with our very own volunteer team. We will be collectively participating in the monthly challenges and activating service primarily in the neighborhoods surrounding Minnehaha Falls. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates on our service hours and how and when you can join us!
Tentative Schedule of Monthly Events
Service projects will take place from 10am-11am on designated days at varying park locations each month, depending on the type of service. Projects will include trash and recycling park and neighborhood clean-ups, E-waste recycling, tree planting, drain cleaning, and social media education and engagement. Look to Seeds to Harvest or the Litter League’s (soon to be set up!) Facebook Page for regular updates on these dates/times/locations, as these are subject to change.
April 23rd – 10,000 Trees Earth Day Challenge (Group event) – All ages and individuals welcome to join!
9:45am – Meet at North Commons Park (by the pools), concluding by 11am.
May 28 – Seeds to Harvest Annual Challenge
9:45am – Hiawatha Golf Course clean-up and water managementJune 18 – Juneteenth Challenge
9:45am – Multiple Locations – TBD
July 16, 23, and 30 – Community Summer Games Challenges & Summit
9:45am – North Commons Park
September 10 – Open Streets Challenge
9:45am – North Commons Park
October 15 – MEA Challenge
9:45am – Multiple Locations – TBD
October 29 – Halloween Challenge
9:45am – Multiple Locations – TBD
November 5 – Final Challenge and Litter League wrap-up
9:45am – Mississippis River walk and clean-up in North and Northeast Minneapolis
Featured Image: Tree-planting at North Commons Park, service project organized by SOL of the Cities Futsal and Seeds to Harvest.