The University of Washington is hosting events to recognize Earth Day, our planet and the environment during the entire Earth Month and beyond. Here is a sampling of the events happening around UW as part of the Earth Day celebration:
April 22
UW Tacoma Earth Day Celebration
Celebrate Earth Day with the UW Tacoma Husky Sustainability Fund. There will be many activities, music and food. Come check out the clothing swap, art making activities, free succulents and gardening starts, and much more!!
Zero Waste UW Earth Day Celebration
Wallace Commons, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Come celebrate and reflect on the end of the UW Zero Waste Challenge. Play trivia, win prizes, eat food, and have tons of fun. No RSVP required, just show up for however long you can.
April 23
Earth Day Fair
Ethnic Cultural Center, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
This Earth Day Fair at the Ethnic Cultural Center in West Campus will feature departments, organizations and student groups from across the University of Washington who are working for sustainability. Stop by and discovery sustainability tips, learn about UW's efforts and ways you can get involved.
UW Bothell Earth Month Fair
UW Bothell Plaza, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The UW Bothell Fair will feature free pop-up thrifting, music, snacks and activities.
UW Surplus reusable tote giveaway
UW Surplus Public Store, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join UW Surplus during the Public Store hours and snag a special Earth Day giveaway! Each customer will receive a fun Surplus-branded reusable shopping bag made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Limit one per customer, while supplies last.
Earth Day Planetarium Show
Physics/Astronomy Auditorium, 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Climate anxiety, whether from thinking about the future, being flooded with constant negative information and misinformation, or feeling helpless, is felt in young adults but rarely discussed. UW Livewell is hosting an event addressing this topic starting off with an Earth Day educational planetarium show, with refreshments of course! Afterwards, we will facilitate discussions about individual reactions to global warming and guide talks to provide clarity on how to support our own health and wellbeing. Anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed or lost in this global problem will develop the skills to begin to take control of one’s life and actions. This event is free and open to UW students.
April 24
"Just Sustainabilities" in Policy, Planning and Practice
Sustainability, though a widely used word, is often inadequate when applied in practice. Its fullest meaning varies across geographies, ethnicities, cultures, and economic realities. Julian Agyeman’s pioneering work teases apart such nuances to clarify how we might pursue “just sustainabilities”, or more fair and equitable approaches to address uncertain futures. In this lecture hosted by the UW College of Built Environments, Agyeman will expand on these ideas, working from the big picture down to what professionals and students can do at the local level to positively impact desired outcomes.
Union Bay Natural Area Volunteer Restoration Event
meet at the West Entrance to Douglas Research Conservatory, 1-3 p.m.
Volunteer with UW Botanic Gardens! For anyone looking to get their hands dirty and gain some restoration experience, we will be removing blackberry in the Union Bay Natural Area. Please bring leather gloves if you have them and wear heavy-duty clothes, including appropriate footwear, to protect from thorns. All tools will be provided. Don't forget your water bottle!, We will be meeting at the west entrance to the Douglas Research Conservatory before heading out to our work site. Registration is required, select "UBNA Restoration Volunteer" at the bottom of the page.
April 25
Decarbonizing our Energy System webinar
Dave Woodson, Executive Director of Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations, will present on how the UW is working to transition our campus energy system away from fossil fuels.. Part of the "Creating a Sustainable Campus" webinar series.
Climate Conversations and Connections
EarthLab presents an inclusive gathering focused on climate justice and community building. UW undergraduates from all campuses are invited to unite for a transformative half-day event at the Husky Union Building. This is a platform for grassroots conversations to build a stronger climate community, where student voices take center stage. Through facilitated discussions grounded in principles of social justice and equity, we aim to ignite excitement and optimism for concrete next steps towards collective climate action at UW. Free breakfast & lunch are included, along with networking opportunities with UW faculty and staff. Stay for as long as you can.
Reclaim Earth Day Teach-In
Reclaim Earth Day will be a teach-in on environmental justice (EJ), including its importance, the history of EJ locally, past and current movements, and the solutions we can implement. WashPIRG UW will be presenting in partnership with Institutional Climate Action, Student Partners Organizing for Representation in Environmental Studies (SPORES), and the Campus Sustainability Fund. Free pizza and drinks will be included. Join these groups as they Reclaim Earth Day from corporate greenwashing and contextualize it within the call for a just and equitable future.
Solar Decathlon x ASHRAE at Sustainable Solutions Month
The UW Solar Decathlon's latest project is showcased at a vibrant event where sustainability enthusiasts and industry experts converge to explore the future of green architecture. Engaging attendees with insights on energy-efficient HVAC systems, Embodied Carbon, and Energy Modeling, Solar Decathlon, and ASHRAE underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing environmental stewardship within the built environment. As participants immerse themselves in discussions on renewable energy integration, passive design strategies, and holistic approaches to sustainability, the event serves as a nexus for individuals eager to contribute to a greener, more resilient future. From students seeking hands-on experience to professionals eager to lend their expertise, the event catalyzes meaningful dialogue and action towards a more sustainable built environment.
April 26
Arbor Day Tree Tour
meet at the Bus Shelter on Stevens Way west of Anderson Hall, 10 a.m.
Join us to celebrate a holiday set aside especially for the planting, upkeep, and preservation of trees. This special tour will highlight some of the most popular trees in the city, as well as some excellent specimens not usually seen around town, and will give participants a chance to learn more about how to plant and care for city trees, and what they give back to us. This walking tour is free and open to the public, will last for about 2 hours, and takes place outdoors (so please dress for the weather). Questions may be emailed to tdhoss@uw.edu.
April 29
City Nature Challenge at the UW
Biology Greenhouse, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
This Earth Month, Program on Climate Change (PCC) and UW Biology experts are excited to bring the global City Nature Challenge to the UW. Join us on Monday, April 29th, 11:00 AM to 1 PM to explore and record the rich biodiversity of our campus. As part of this event, participants will contribute to a worldwide citizen science initiative by documenting wild flora and fauna using the iNaturalist app. Sign up to appreciate our nature and help the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area shine in this year’s collective biodiversity monitoring efforts. The event will start at the UW Biology Greenhouse with short presentations covering topics such as climate change and biodiversity, along with a comprehensive overview of iNaturalist recording followed by a 1.5-hour outdoor walk. Given that we will be outside, please ensure you are dressed suitably for the weather conditions. Contact: Hemalatha Velappan (hema89@uw.edu) if you would like to learn more or help organize the walk.
April 30
Transforming Climate Anxiety to Clarity to Action
UW Livewell, in collaboration with several registered student organizations, will be hosting an event-oriented around mitigating climate anxiety and making positive environmental change. The event will consist of a workshop on managing climate anxiety and ways to make change, presentations from on-campus environmental student groups, and an RSO-fair style tabling activity. In connecting students with resources and student organizations working to address a variety of environmental-related issues, this event aims to empower students with the information they need to transform their climate anxiety into clarity and to use that momentum to make positive change.
May 1
Northwest Nature & Health Symposium
Intellectual House, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This annual symposium brings together researchers, community members, and decision makers to learn about new discoveries, discuss new policies and programs, and advance partnerships. Registration deadline is April 26.
Past events:
April 6
Brockman Memorial Tree Tour
start in front of the Husky Union Building by the Husky statue, 11 a.m.
The Brockman Memorial Tree Tour is a historic tour of significant trees on the UW Campus, providing a great opportunity to learn about some of the more than 500 different types of trees growing on the campus grounds. This guided tour will share stories about how trees are connected to us as people, provide useful identification tips and highlight the importance of our city's urban forest for sustainability and adaptability in an age of climate change. This walking tour is free and open to the public, will last for about 2 hours, and will take place outdoors (so please dress for the weather). Questions may be emailed to tdhoss@uw.edu.
Bird Friendly Campus Tour
meet on steps of Paccar Hall, 9 a.m.
Join Bird Friendly UW on a campus tour to learn how we're creating a bird-friendly campus. The 90-minute tour features design "hot spots" where our data shows the most bird-building collisions, a few bird-safe options already in use, and places where you can enjoy campus birding.
April 9
Robert Bullard: The Quest for Environmental and Climate Justice
This presentation will focus primarily on the U.S. and the need for empowering vulnerable populations, identifying environmental justice and climate change “hot-spot” zones and designing fair, just and effective adaptation, mitigation, emergency management and community resilience and disaster recovery strategies. He will offer a framework for dismantling systemic racism and policies and practices that create, exacerbate and perpetuate inequality and vulnerability. Registration required.
UW Bothell: River Defenders Panel
A panel on the fights for the Amazon and Duwamish Rivers and communities. Speakers will be Johny Giffoni, Public Defender in Brazilian state of Pará (Brazilian Amazon Region) and doctoral candidate at Federal University of Pará, and Jamie Hearn, Director of Environmental Law and Climate Policy at the Duwamish River Community Coalition. Online meeting information will be posted prior to the event.
April 10
Environmental RSO Mixer
Join student groups including Green Greeks, Beautify UDub, Save the Orcas, Beekeeping Club, UW Solar, WashPIRG and the Society of American Foresters for a student Environmental Mixer. Groups will give a short presentation of their work and how to get involved.
April 11
UW Bothell Repair Cafe
Got something broken? Bring it to this free repair cafe for a volunteer fixer to repair it. First come, first serve, two item limit per person.
April 12
Race, Health, & Justice Symposium
Kane Hall Walker Ames Room, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This cross-disciplinary symposium brings together students, faculty, researchers and members of the public to discuss racial disparities in population health and health care, and the broader social, political, economic and historical structures in which they occur. Registration required.
Climate Solutions Summit Convention
Dempsey Hall 302 (Anthony's Forum), 12 - 4 p.m.
UW Foster School of Business Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) Net Impact, ReThink, and American Marketing Association (AMA) are hosting this cross-disciplinary conference that will connect enthusiastic students with clean energy professionals from different economic sectors. The conference will feature dynamic panel discussions on disruptive innovation and community solar, with a keynote speech given by WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
April 14
Zero Waste Week orientation
Join the student-led Zero Waste UW challenge, encouraging everyone to produce less waste and support the circular economy in Seattle. This orientation session will provide information on Zero Waste UW, why zero waste, and everything you need to know to be ready for the challenge.
April 15
An Afternoon with Kate Raworth
Town Hall Seattle and hybrid livestream, 12 p.m.
Renegade ecological economist, Kate Raworth implores us to look at economic theory that is inclusive of 21st century realities. The author of the best selling book “Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think like a 21st Century Economist” will join us remotely for a talk asking us to consider putting these economic principles in place to better our communities, cities, businesses and educators. Registration required.
Panel: Reducing Food Waste
The issue of food waste is a growing concern around the world, and is a disturbing problem in the United States. In light of this, our panel will explore innovative solutions to this problem. This Zero Waste UW event features panelists who will share their experiences and insights on how to reduce food waste. Panelists will be Kaija Koenigberg, Vermicompost Lead, UW Farm; Sarah Soteroff, PR Lead, Too Good To Go US & Canada; and Sheryl Anayas, Residential Food Waste Prevention Program Manager, City of Seattle.
April 16
Reducing Air Travel webinar
UW Sustainability's Marilyn Ostergren will discuss the greenhouse gas emissions related to the UW's professional air travel, and what the UW might do to reduce our impact. Part of the "Creating a Sustainable Campus" webinar series.
Circular Economy Roundtable
Paccar 392 and Zoom, 6-7:30 p.m.
Current economic models are unsustainable and follow a linear trajectory, depleting resources without regard for long-term environmental consequences. Through innovation and advocacy, various organizations aim to reshape industries for a more sustainable future. This Zero Waste UW event features speakers talking about a more circular system: Hannah Johnson, Founder & CEO, Perennial Zero Waste; Heather Trim, Executive Director, Zero Waste Washington; and Macy Zander, Reuse Communities Policy and Engagement Officer, Upstream.
April 17
Farm-to-Fork Cooking Demo
The Chef’s Table, Local Point, 4 p.m.
At this demo co-hosted UW Farm and Housing & Food Services you'll have the opportunity to learn from some of our very own campus chefs how to transform fresh, locally sourced ingredients from our campus farm into a simple yet delicious seasonal recipe. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your local food community, learn about sustainable urban agriculture and sharpen your culinary skills in a fun and interactive setting. This event is perfect for anyone passionate about cooking, sustainability or simply enjoying delicious thoughtfully sourced food.
Repairing Our Way Out Of The Waste Crisis
Savery Hall 158 or Zoom, 6-7 p.m.
Knowing how to repair and mend our stuff is key to tackling consumerism and the waste crisis. Come to this event to learn about the ecological benefits of repairing, how repairing can be empowering, the right to repair, and local repairing resources. At this Zero Waste UW event you will discover the numerous benefits of repairing and mending, gain practical knowledge on how to get started, and learn how to support repair and mending initiatives in your community.
April 18
Pollinator Planting at UW Farm Mercer Court
Mercer Court UW Farm site, 9 a.m.
Join the UW Farm to renovate the Pollinator Gardens at the UW Farm plots at Mercer Court in West campus. We will be planting flowers and salmon berry and some light weeding. Signing up as a volunteer before the event is required.
Soil, Sips and Sustainability - A Walking Tour
meet at District Market in Alder Hall, 1-4 p.m.
Participants will go on a walking tour of different units within HFS including UW Pantry, Cultivate, Husky Grind Mercer, and more, highlighting ways each unit interfaces and utilizes UW Farm produce. Tour starts at the West Campus District Market in Alder Hall. During the tour you will be able to sip UW-roasted coffee and help plant some seeds in the pollinator plantings.
Lettuce Eating Competiton
The Lettuce Eating Club hosts this annual competition to see who can eat a head of iceberg lettuce the fastest and be crowned Sultan of Salad. Several sustainable RSOs will be on hand to talk about their clubs and sustainability efforts.
April 19
The Imperative Challenges of Sustainability for the Forgotten
The Center for Environmental Politics is hosting this talk by Dr. Gary Machlis, Professor of Environmental Sustainability at Clemson University. His research focuses on conservation science, recurrent acute disasters on human ecosystems, the politics of science and sustainability for vulnerable populations.
Waste Justice Student Discussion
Zero Waste UW and the Student Partners Organizing for Representation in Environmental Studies (SPORES) are hosting a Waste Justice Student Discussion. This will include background info on waste justice and a discussion about how we are affected and what we can do in our daily lives to make a difference. Come to learn about waste justice issues in Seattle and beyond and eat snacks.
April 20
Bird Friendly Campus Tour
meet on steps of Paccar Hall, 9 a.m.
Join Bird Friendly UW on a campus tour to learn how we're creating a bird-friendly campus. The 90-minute tour features design "hot spots" where our data shows the most bird-building collisions, a few bird-safe options already in use, and places where you can enjoy campus birding.
Pollinator Planting and Work Party
UW Farm Center for Urban Horticulture site, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Joins us for a volunteer day at the UW Farm's largest growing site. We will be renovating the Pollinator garden areas, planting flower seeds and farm work. Intros at 9am. Signing up as a volunteer before the event is required.