Earth Day at
the Botanical Garden

Earth Day at the Botanical Garden is a Free Access Day for the Community in Des Moines

Come Explore

This is your chance to explore the vital connections between plants, people, and the natural world. Discover them at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden! Because as you know, there is nothing better than spending a spring day in nature.

Family-Friendly & Free for All

Participate in family-friendly activities, explore the Garden, and engage with a variety of community partners. Since many partners provide giveaway items, please bring a bag to carry them home with you.

It’s Your Day to Celebrate

Enjoy FREE admission to Earth Day at the Botanical Garden on Saturday April 18, 2026 from 9 am – 4 pm.

Want to Give Back?

We are always looking for volunteers to join and support our efforts. Find out more here. Interested in donating to keep the Botanical Garden growing? Please click the button below to give.

I want to Donate

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor

Event Details

Date & Time

Saturday, April 18, 9 am to 4 pm

FREE Admission for Everyone

Food & Drink available for purchase from Flora Café

The coffee truck, AM Brew will also be onsite.

Parking

A limited number of parking spots are available onsite and are free. Parking fills up quickly. Because of this, attendees are encouraged to carpool or rideshare to this event to ease parking congestion. Overflow parking is available along Robert D. Ray Drive.

Please see our Visitor’s Guide and FAQ for more information.

Keep Us Growing

Please consider a donation today.

Community Partners

Environmentally focused community partners will be onsite with activities and handouts in the Willow/Wisteria Room.

Community Partners

Blank Park Zoo (Plant, Grow, Fly)
Des Moines Water Works
Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild
Iowa PBS
Iowa Waste Exchange
Living History Farms
LSI Global Greens
Mid-Iowa Cactus and Succulent Society of Iowa
Polk County Master Gardeners
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Sierra Club Central Iowa
The Rain Campaign
Whiterock Conservancy

Event Activities

Included with Admission

Explore education stations and see how to make upcycled garden containers and learn about the elements Earth, Fire, Water, and Air

Find all of the hidden waterdrops throughout Garden!

Meet the X-Vengers superhero team from 10 am-1 pm

New this year: Meet watercolor artist Sara Burrier and tour her exhibition Nymphs of Nature in the Evergreen Gallery. Sara will be live painting and have additional works of art on display from 9am-4pm.

Iowa Bonsai Association Spring Show & Sale

Saturday, April 18 from 9 am – 4 pm.

Bonsai is an Asian art form which incorporates artistic and horticultural skills and techniques to produce small trees in containers that mimic the spirit, shape, and proportions of full-size trees in nature. Come explore the Iowa Bonsai Association’s Spring Show and Sale during Earth Day at the Botanical Garden.

Don’t miss the Iowa Bonsai Association Spring Show & Sale in the Juniper/Agave Room, included with FREE Earth Day admission on April 18.

Earth Day at
the Botanical Garden