The University of Washington will celebrate Earth Day with a large celebration on Red Square April 21, but there are events across the UW celebrating our planet and the environment during the entire Earth Week and beyond. Here is a sampling of some of the events happening around UW as part of the Earth Day celebration:
April 17
Native Plant 101: Identification and Gardening
Douglas Research Conservatory, 6:30 p.m.
Come to UW's Union Bay Natural Area to learn how to identify some of our native Washington plants with the UW Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration. We'll cover several of our common native plants as well as their growth preferences and how to best incorporate them into your garden at home. This class will include a walk around the Union Bay Natural Area to look at examples of native plants.
Wildlife Science Seminar: "Working to conserve and protect wolves and their habitat"
Kane Hall 130, 3:30 p.m.
Diane Gallegos, the executive director of Wolf Haven International, is the guest speaker for this week's Wildlife Science Seminar, hosted by the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS). The seminar series is held on Mondays throughout the quarter, and the public is always invited.
UW Bothell events:
Movie Mondays: Food Inc., ARC, 6 p.m.
Come watch Food Inc., an exposing film regarding the true story behind the food industry and its affect on the average consumer, all with the permission of the USDA and FDA.
Valve Turner Speaking Tour: Civil Disobedience for Direct Climate Action, Discover Hall 252, 5:45 p.m.
Join the discussion with the Valve Turners, five climate activists arrested for turning off pipelines bringing tar sands oil into the US. Film screening of "This Changes Everything" to follow.
Click here for full details on all UW Bothell Earth Week events.
UW Tacoma events:
Sustainable Earth Week, Prairie Line Trail, 12-2 p.m.
Learn about sustainable lifestyle choices like commuting alternatives, reducing plastics use, Tacoma’s upcoming plastic bag ban, lowering your carbon footprint, and much more. Sponsored by UW Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability. (Moves indoors in case of rain.)
"A river that reflects Pacific NW values? The Columbia River in the 21st Century", SCI 309, 12:30 p.m.
Part of UWT's Science@Lunch series, with Michael Garrity, Columbia Basin Mitigation Manager and Water Policy Lead, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Plant your own succulents, The Dawg House in the Mattress Factory, 12-2 p.m.
Hosted by the UW Tacoma Student Activities Board.
Click here for full details on all UW Tacoma Earth Week events.
April 18
Constructing Our Future: Exploring the building blocks of regional climate resilience
HUB 250, 12 p.m.
Building regional climate resilience requires input and engagement from the diverse stakeholders in our community. Across the Pacific Northwest numerous agencies, communities and research groups are working towards making our region resilient to climate change. In this seminar we will discuss the anticipated regional climate impacts and we will explore how UW's Climate Impacts Group is contributing decision-relevant science to communities, politicians and decision-makers in order to help build a bright future for our region. This session, led by Climate Impacts Group’s Strategic Communications Lead Heidi Roop, will be dialogue-driven and will include opportunity for questions and conversation.
UW Bothell events:
Garbage sort, Promenade Lawn, 8:45-10:45 a.m.
How much waste on campus could we divert from the landfill if sorted properly? Find out by participating in this garbage sort!
Interactive Soil Lab, Cascadia Trailer (next to the Food Forest), 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Interactive Soil Lab is an opportunity for interesting people to learn how soils are made. Participants will also learn the different processes that make soil what it is. With a better understanding, we will hopefully stop treating our soil like dirt.
Click here for full details on all UW Bothell Earth Week events.
UW Tacoma events:
Sustainable Earth Week, Prairie Line Trail, 12-2 p.m.
Learn about sustainable lifestyle choices like commuting alternatives, reducing plastics use, Tacoma’s upcoming plastic bag ban, lowering your carbon footprint, and much more. Sponsored by UW Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability. (Moves indoors in case of rain.)
Rock painting with the Student Activities Board, Keystone Building Lobby, 12-2 p.m.
Place your painted rocks in the wild for someone else to find.
Click here for full details on all UW Tacoma Earth Week events.
April 19
International Forestry Students Association Climate Change Simulation
Anderson Hall 207 (Forest Club Room), 2:30-4:30 p.m.
All students are invited to join IFSA for this a Climate Change Simulation event, Developed by the UN, the simulation is a role-playing negotiation where each person represents one nation at an international convention. The goal? Stopping climate change! This event will provide participants with a better understanding of how international climate negotiations work in an interactive and hands-on experience. Come and try your hand at negotiation, climate science, and saving the world.
A Song to Save the Salish Sea: Musical Performance as Environmental Communication
Communication 126, 3:30-5 p.m.
Mark Pedelty is a Professor of Communication Studies and an affiliate Professor of Anthropology whose research deals with music and sound as environmental communication. He will present on the arts, particularly music, as activism. Mark Pedelty’s research explores Cascadia’s vibrant eco-musical community in order to understand how environmentalist music imagines, and perhaps even creates, a more sustainable conception of place.
UW Bothell events:
Planting with the Grounds Team, Food Forest, 9-11:30 a.m.
Get involved with the grounds team in their efforts to get the Food Forest ready for the growing season by planting veggie starts! No sign-up necessary, just meet at the Food Forest whenever you have time.
Reduce, Reuse, Recreate, Sports Field, 12 - 2 p.m.
This DIY-themed fair is hosted by UW Bothell Recreation and Wellness. Join the walk-up workshop to create your own cleaning products from recycled materials with Rec & Well. There will also be a clothing swap for students to recycle their gently used clothes.
Click here for full details on all UW Bothell Earth Week events.
UW Tacoma events:
Sustainable Earth Week, Prairie Line Trail, 12-2 p.m.
Learn about sustainable lifestyle choices like commuting alternatives, reducing plastics use, Tacoma’s upcoming plastic bag ban, lowering your carbon footprint, and much more. Sponsored by UW Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability. (Moves indoors in case of rain.)
Create Your Own Flower Crown with the Student Activities Board, Jane Russell Commons, William Philip Hall, 12-2 p.m.
Free Film Screening and Community Discussion, William Philip Hall, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
UW Tacoma, the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and the City of Tacoma Environmental Services Department present a free screening of the award-winning adventure documentary "A Plastic Ocean," about the impact on our oceans of our use-it-and-throw-it disposable-plastics lifestyle. Following the film screening, a fast-paced community discussion will delve into microplastics, Tacoma’s upcoming bag ban, ocean plastics art, and how to go plastics-free.
Click here for full details on all UW Tacoma Earth Week events.
April 20
Earth Day Forum: Urban Gardening
UW Tower Auditorium, 12 p.m.
The Combined Fund Drive is hosting a workshop with the Washington Native Plant Society from 12-1 p.m. Topics include Gardening With Natives, Stewarding Urban Parks and more. Register here to join the event.
UW Bothell events:
Sustainability Concert and Community Celebration, Sports Field, 12-3 p.m.
The UW Bothell Campus Events Board and Cascadia College Cascadia Activities Board are hosting a Sustainability Concert! Get ready to jam out to a solar powered, sustainability-activist alternative rock band called Trapdoor Social! Also featuring 29 Community Partners showcasing how they incorporate sustainability into their daily work!
Click here for full details on all UW Bothell Earth Week events.
UW Tacoma events:
Sustainable Earth Week, Prairie Line Trail, 12-2 p.m.
Learn about sustainable lifestyle choices like commuting alternatives, reducing plastics use, Tacoma’s upcoming plastic bag ban, lowering your carbon footprint, and much more. Sponsored by UW Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability. (Moves indoors in case of rain.)
Click here for full details on all UW Tacoma Earth Week events.
April 21
2017 UW Earth Day Celebration
Red Square is the site of UW's central Earth Day festivities, including exhibitors, music, cultural art performances, speakers and the Husky Green Award presentations. Find full details at our Earth Day page. The Husky Green Award presentation will begin at 1 p.m.
Society for Ecological Restoration Native Plant Nursery volunteer work party
Douglas Research Conservatory, 12-3 p.m.
Come learn about native plant propagation and production at the SER-UW Nursery. Each Friday the nursery hosts a work party where you can participate in a variety of nursery tasks including sowing seeds, transferring plants to larger pots, fertilizing, weeding, and more! Everyone is welcome and no experience is needed. No registration is necessary, just show up anytime during the work party hours.
Invasive Wildlife Surveillance
William H. Gates Hall Room 115, 12:30-1:20 p.m.
Professor Tom Lininger from University of Oregon School of Law is presenting a talk concerning a forthcoming article which he co-authored in the Duke Environmental Law Forum titled "Unlocking the 'Virtual Cage' of Wildlife Surveillance." Professor Lininger will be discussing the new doctrine of wildlife privacy that he proposes, and applies this doctrine to limiting the use of surveillance collars on various animals, including gray wolves. This topic of surveillance is literally a matter of life or death for wolves within the United States, and is currently a relatively hot topic due to the recently approved amendment by the US House of Representatives to end all funding for wolf conservation under the Endangered Species Act. Presented by UW Environmental Law Program, UW Environmental Law Society, and Student Animal Legal Defense Fund UW Chapter. Lunch provided.
UW Bothell events:
Garden Party, Campus Garden, 12-2 p.m.
Join us in the UW Bothell Campus Garden for a potluck and work party! Assist in planting, harvesting, weeding, or turning compost as needed in the campus garden space between the sports field and the north parking garage. Meet the Campus Garden Committee and get involved!
UWB Hackathon Series: Garden Innovation Challenge, ARC and Campus Garden, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Help us create a garden of the future by participating in the first Hackathon in the UW Bothell Hackathon series! The From tech-ing out the garden to rethinking soil infiltration and irrigation, help us design this new community space. Learn more and register here.
Click here for full details on all UW Bothell Earth Week events.
UW Tacoma events:
Sustainable Earth Week, Prairie Line Trail, 12-2 p.m.
Learn about sustainable lifestyle choices like commuting alternatives, reducing plastics use, Tacoma’s upcoming plastic bag ban, lowering your carbon footprint, and much more. Sponsored by UW Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability. (Moves indoors in case of rain.)
Click here for full details on all UW Tacoma Earth Week events.
April 22
Earth Day Service at Washington Park Arboretum
Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive East, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join the Student Conservation Association for Earth Day to give back to Seattle’s public lands and help restore Washington Park Arboretum. Volunteers will restore the Washington Park Arboretum through planting, mulching, removing invasive species, and maintaining trails throughout the arboretum. Register here to volunteer.
UW Farm volunteer hours
Center for Urban Horticulture, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Running a farm takes a lot of dedication and hard work and our farm volunteers are an integral part of what keeps us growing. Whether you are interested in learning more about sustainable farming practices or you just want to lend a hand to help support the UW food community, the UW Farm wants your help. Everyone is welcome, but before coming out please register to be a volunteer.
UW Hiking Club Earth Day 5K
Magnuson Park, 10 a.m.
Hiking Club at UW has partnered with Outdoor Nation to get UW students outside. On Earth Day we are running a 5k - each finisher will receive a native sapling tree + an additional tree will be planted in your name. Over the years at this Earth Day event they have handed out thousands of trees that grow and sequester more and more carbon each year. Race starts at 10 a.m., with bib pickup starting at 8:30 a.m. Bring your friends and join our team! Sign up closes Tuesday, April 18th at midnight.
UW Tacoma events:
Earth Day at the Giving Garden, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Spring is here, and you can learn how UW Tacoma’s Giving Garden combines learning and community connection! Have some eco-art fun; learn about gardening and native plants; help build a green roof and a pathway; find out about bed adoption. Sponsored by UWT Giving Garden, Project Earth, Center for Service & Leadership and The Pantry. Tools and supplies will be provided: be prepared to get your hands dirty!
Location: UW Tacoma Giving Garden, corner 21st Street and Fawcett Ave., UW Tacoma campus. Check-in at the University Y Student Center at 10 a.m.
Click here for full details on all UW Tacoma Earth Week events.