2018 UW Earth Day events
The University of Washington will celebrate Earth Day with a large celebration on Red Square April 20, but there are events across 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.
Signature event: Earth Day on Red Square
Friday, April 20, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The central UW Earth Day celebration, organized by the UW Sustainability Action Network (SAN) in collaboration with UW Sustainability, will take place April 20 on Red Square. The theme for this year's Earth Day is "Planting the seeds for a sustainable future." Primary funding for the event is provided by the Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF).
This year's Earth Day event will feature opportunities to connect with students groups working for sustainability, along with UW departments and other groups. A full slate of speakers, performers and more will be featured on the event stage throughout the day. Highlights include keynote speaker Nikkita Oliver and local musician Parisalexa. Full details will be posted on the UW SAN event page.
Other events:
April 15
UW Archery Field Restoration
Archery Field (south of Hughes Playhouse), 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help restore an area south of UW's Archery Field as part of an undergraduate capstone project. Volunteers will be mainly removing English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry. You can join for part or all of the event. No previous experience is required and tools, coffee, and donuts will be provided. RSVP here.
April 16
UW Bothell Alternative Transportation event
UW Bothell South Parking Garage, 12-3:30 p.m.
ASUWB will be tabling to educate on the importance of student awareness of environmental and sustainability issues on our campus, as well as providing festive sustainable goodies for to students who choose to reduce their carbon footprint by carpooling/busing.
See full details on all UW Bothell Earth Week events here.
April 17
UW Tacoma Earth Day celebration
William Phillip Hall, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join the collective energy at UW Tacoma and take the opportunity to inform, empower, and ignite action towards a more sustainable future. Connecting in this way will provide students with tangible steps they can take towards honoring our earth and thinking more sustainably. The fair will include activities, performances and the recognition of UW Tacoma's Husky Green Award winners.
UW Surplus Public Store
4515 25th Ave NE, 12 - 6 p.m.
The UW is committed to contributing toward a greener world, and we try to let nothing go to waste if it can be reused, repurposed, or recycled. UW Surplus takes in items from all UW departments and medical facilities. When a department doesn’t need something anymore, they send it to us. We receive items every day, so our stock of items is always changing & evolving. Members of the general public may purchase surplus items during the UW Surplus Public Stores, which are held every Tuesday from 12 to 6 p.m.
April 18
UW Farm volunteer hours
Mercer Court, 11 a.m. - 2 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.
April 19
Union Bay Natural Area Restoration Work Party
Merrill Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Meet at tool cage behind Merrill Hall, 10 a.m.
Join the UW Botanic Gardens for some good ol' fun in the dirt and learn about the Union Bay Natural Area and ecological restoration! Everyone is welcome and no experience is needed. Gloves, tools, and snacks are provided for all volunteers! Remember to bring water and wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. We will work, rain or shine! Meet at the tool cage behind Merrill Hall at the Center for Urban Horticulture (The tool cage is next to the lower parking area on the west side of the building). RSVP here.
UW Farm volunteer hours
Center for Urban Horticulture, 12 - 2 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.
ReThink UW's 4th Annual Resilience Summit
Paccar 392, 6-8 p.m.
The Resilience Summit is an opportunity for students, faculty, and local business leaders to come together and explore relevant environmental issues. This year’s theme is “regeneration”: the development of systems that are capable of being restored and renewed through the integration of natural processes, human behavior, and community action.
The event free to attend and is open to everyone in the UW community. Dinner is provided. RSVP here.
UW Bothell Sustainability Festival
UW Bothell Promenade, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The UW Bothell Sustainability Office is hosting our 2nd annual Sustainability Festival! Get ready to jam out to music brought to you by UWAVE Radio, check out the Electric Vehicle Car Show and eat tasty food from our partner Taco Time! Also featured, over 30 Community Partners showcasing how they incorporate sustainability into their daily work!
See full details on all UW Bothell Earth Week events here.
EarthGames on Tap 2018
Pacific Science Center, 6-9 p.m.
Join EarthGames for a fun and inspiring evening salon bringing together researchers, game creators, educators, and other change makers. Attendees will meet and mingle over locally-sourced food and beverages, while catalyzing games that are good for both people and the planet. Hear talks from award-winning game designer Tracy Fullerton and Grist writer Eric Holthaus, or try your hand at new games created by the Games for Our Future Game Jam, UW EarthGames Studio, and other professional studios. Register here.
April 20
Earth Day at UW
Red Square, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Organized by the UW Sustainablity Action Network in collaboration with UW Sustainability, the UW Earth Day celebrations bring students, faculty, staff and community members together to celebrate the environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts across our UW campuses. The theme for this year's Earth Day is "Planting the seeds for a sustainable future."
Earth Day Forum: Zero Waste Washington and Plastics Pollution
UW Tower Auditorium, 12-1 p.m.
Plastics are everywhere and a growing concern around the Pacific NW and globally. Please join Zero Waste Washington for a conversation highlighting current knowledge of plastics from microplastics in marine waters to plastics recycling challenges. Last year, 300 million tons of new plastic were produced globally with a third used in plastic packaging including bags, bottles, containers and wrappers. Join us for this forum to learn about plastic waste and what is being done to reduce plastic pollution in our region. This event is sponsored by the UW Combined Fund Drive. Register today.
Native Plant Nursery volunteer work party
Douglas Research Conservatory (DRC) at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 12-3 p.m.
Every Friday, the UW Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration hosts a work party at their Native Plant Nursery where volunteers can participate in a variety of nursery tasks including sowing seeds, transferring plants to larger pots, fertilizing, weeding, and more while learning about native plant propagation and production. Everyone is welcome and no experience is needed. Snacks provided for all volunteers. Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get a little dirty. RSVP so they can ensure there is work for everyone.
UW Farm volunteer hours
Mercer Court, 12 - 4 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.
Earth Day Challenge: Skip the Elevator and Take the Stairs!
All UW Locations, All Day
In honor of Earth Day, skip the elevator and take the stairs with the Whole U. This is a healthy choice for you and the environment. On any given day, there may be over 10,000 elevator calls on campus. Reducing the number of elevator calls reduces our energy use. Help us reach our goal 250,000 stairs climbed on April 20th by joining the challenge. The challenge is simple. Count the number of stairs you walk on April 20th and record the number in the email link provided to participants. The campus with the most stairs climbed will win full bragging rights and a trophy!
Together we can climb our way to a healthier environment. Be sure to register here to participate!
April 21
Earth Day Restoration Volunteer Event
Washington Park Arboretum, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is partnering with UW Botanic Gardens, the Arboretum Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation for this event. Volunteers will restore the Washington Park Arboretum through planting, mulching, removing invasive species, and maintaining trails throughout the arboretum. Register here.
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.
April 22
Yesler Swamp Earth Day event
Douglas Research Conservatory at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 12-2 p.m.
Join two student capstone groups for snacks, tours, and educational fun based upon the work the groups have done at Yesler Swamp. We will be meeting for refreshments to start in the Douglas Research Center at the Center for Urban Horticulture before getting started in our activities on carbon sequestration, plant, bird, and mammal identification. Please RSVP to rauschn@uw.edu.
April 22-24
Pac-12 Women's Golf Championships
Broadmoor Golf Club
The University of Washington will be hosting the 2018 Pac-12 Women's Golf Championships at Broadmoor Golf Club just south of the University of Washington campus next to the arboretum. Entry into the tournament is free of charge. This event will highlight the sustainability efforts being made by the University of Washington, Broadmoor Golf Club and the Pac-12 Conference. Tee times starting at 9:30am Sunday and Monday, April 22-23, and 9am on Tuesday, April 24.
April 23
UW Tower Recycled Art Show
UW Tower North Cafeteria, 1-2:30 p.m.
In honor of Earth Month, the UW Tower Green Team invites you to show how creative you can be while reusing something that might otherwise end up in the trash. If you are interested in participating, email the UW Tower Green Team.
April 29
UW Archery Field Restoration
Archery Field (south of Hughes Playhouse), 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help restore an area south of UW's Archery Field as part of an undergraduate capstone project. Volunteers will be mainly removing English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry. You can join for part or all of the event. No previous experience is required and tools, coffee, and donuts will be provided. RSVP here.
Event support:
