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Celebrate Earth Week in Kawartha Lakes by signing up for a 20 Minute Community Clean-Up

Group cleaning up garbage in a park

Kawartha Lakes – Taking care of the environment, being responsible with resources, reducing our footprint and keeping our lakes and rivers clean are shared values across Kawartha Lakes. Thanks to a coordinated effort by community partners and volunteers, there are many ways to celebrate Earth Week in Kawartha Lakes. Earth Week runs April 16 to 22 and Earth Day is Saturday April 22.

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in Our Planet”. The theme focuses on engaging governments, institutions, businesses and the more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part – everyone account for, everyone accountable. Learn more on the official Earth Day website.


Group cleaning up garbage in a park

20 Minute Community Clean-Ups
Get together with your neighbours, community group, sports team or family to do a clean-up anytime during Earth Week (April 16 to 22). The municipality will provide clear garbage bags and gloves to participants. Groups or individuals planning a 20-Minute Community Clean Up can register online or in person at any Municipal Service Centre.

The municipality will consult with each group to determine the best method of waste disposal. Tipping fees will be waived for any registered participant that chooses to dump their group's collected garbage at one of our landfills (a letter with permission to do so will be provided).

If you have any questions or need more information, contact our Customer Service team at 705-324-9411, or email issues@kawarthalakes.ca.

Reminder: Registration closed April 7, 2023. Registration will open for the 2024 20 Minute Community Clean-up event in March 2024. Be sure to follow our social media platforms listed below for all of the latest City of Kawartha Lakes updates.


Other ways to get involved:

Bee City logo

2023 Bee A Hero Garden Challenge
Scientists are ringing the alarm bells that our native pollinators are disappearing at an unprecedented rate. One-third of all the food we eat is thanks to their amazing pollination services and it’s important that we provide them with habitats where they can thrive. You can “Bee A Hero” this Spring/Summer and help these essential critters by creating a pollinator habitat in your own backyard, farm or balcony.

The contest will return in Summer 2023. All you'll need to do to enter is take a ‘before’ picture of your garden or container prior to it being planted. Take an ‘after’ picture once it has grown and then submit your entry when the Bee A Hero form re-opens this summer. Both existing and new gardens can enter. Winners will be chosen at the end of the summer. For more information, including tips and tricks on how to create the best possible pollinator friendly garden, visit the Bee City page on our website.


environmental hero icon

2022 Environmental Hero Awards
The Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee (KLEAC) is looking for nominations for the 2022 Environmental Hero Awards. Each year, the Committee recognizes individuals, businesses and students living in Kawartha Lakes who have shown a commitment to improving the health of the environment.

“The Environmental Hero Awards are a chance for residents to nominate environmental change-makers in Kawartha Lakes and bring attention to the amazing work they’re doing to help the environment,” said Councillor Pat Warren, KLEAC Council Representative.

Winners will receive a certificate from the Mayor and their project will be included in a KLEAC presentation to Council at the May 9, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting.

There are three categories you can apply for:

For more details, including award criteria, read our Environmental Hero Awards news release.


Canopy Project Kawartha Lakes logo

Canopy Project Kawartha Lakes launches fundraising campaign
In commemoration of Earth Day, Canopy Project Kawartha Lakes (CPKL) has launched it’s 2023 Campaign. CPKL is a volunteer-led community group working to increase the urban tree canopy in Kawartha Lakes. CPKL has been caring for Kawartha Lakes urban tree canopy since August 2020.

Their 2023 Campaign is looking to raise $30,000 to create and rejuvenate the urban tree canopy at schools and public spaces in Kawartha Lakes. The tree planting for this year’s campaign will start at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, I.E. Weldon Secondary School, and Dr. George Hall Public School; more schools will follow in the Fall.

To support this great initiative, visit the Canopy Project Kawartha Lakes website to make a donation.


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