UW 2026 Earth Month events

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:

Week 1: April 5 - 11

Wednesday April 8

2026 Virtual environmental career & networking fair

Virtual on Handshake, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

This event is a collaboration between the University of Washington, Western Washington University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of California, Davis, Oregon State University, Olympic College, Colorado State University, and is open to all students and alumni. The fair is open to all students and majors. Employers represent all types of industries, as well as all types of job and internship opportunities. For more information on what to expect at a virtual fair, see this resource from the Career & Internship Center.

Friday April 10

Seed ball workshop

UW Farm Mercer Court Clubhouse, 3 - 5 p.m.

Join the Dirty Dozen and UW Recycling for a native seed ball workshop and help buzz in the spring season! Students are invited to get their hands dirty and craft their very own seed balls. First come, first served - bring your own container and take them home!

Seed ball workshop event

Saturday April 11

Garden lovers' public book sale

Center for Urban Horticulture, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Elisabeth C. Miller Library's annual book sale has thousands of gently used books on gardening, plants, ecology and related topics. Enjoy the company of fellow plant lovers while shopping for unique horticultural books. No registration is required for this public sale. There is also a ticketed Opening Night event on Friday, April 10 from 5 - 8 p.m.

Opening night details Get tickets for opening night

Week 2: April 12 - 18

Wednesday April 15

UW Bothell Earth Fair

Codex (outside UWB library), 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Stop by UW Bothell's annual Earth Fair - featuring a Free Market and lots of fun booths and activities from plant giveaways to crafts.

UWB Earth Fair

Campfire Sessions: Climate Topics

Ravenna Brewing Company, 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Join the Information School, the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, and UW peers to explore the areas where climate research meets human experience – using human‑centered approaches to turn data into practical solutions that help communities, inform decisions and strengthen our shared future.

Campfire session details

Earth Month cooking demo

Local Point Chef's Table, 5 - 6 p.m.

Join Chef Chris in a live cooking class aimed at reducing food waste! You’ll learn how to turn your leftovers into a tasty breakfast scramble.

Thursday April 16

U-PASS celebration event

HUB Main Street, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Join Transportation Services to celebrate 35 years of U-PASS. Stop by the HUB for free treats, prizes, and more!

U-PASS celebration

Food systems student club fair

UW Quad, 12 - 4 p.m.

More than a dozen food-related student groups and other organizations will be tabling in the Quad for the first-ever food systems fair. This is a great opportunity to learn more about food at UW and see what food-related organizations you can become involved in.

Food systems club fair

Power What's Next: Real Career Stories & Smart Pivots in Renewable Energy

NanoES 181, 3 - 5 p.m.

Join Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Seattle and UW Clean Energy Institute for an interactive session bringing together industry professionals and students interested in climate, energy, and sustainability careers. Professionals from various fields will share their personal career journeys and details about their role in the renewable energy space.

Friday April 17

Beach volleyball match and beach clean-up

Alki Beach, 2 p.m.

UW Beach Volleyball is hosting the Alki Invitational, with matches against Portland at 12:30 p.m. and Florida Atlantic at 3 p.m. In between matches, join UW Athletics' sustainability team and volunteer for a beach clean-up! Find the sustainability table for more information - the clean-up will start at 2 p.m. and finish in time for the late match.

Beach clean-up details on Instagram

Price of Plenty film screening (UW Tacoma)

Carwein Auditorium (KEY 102), 5 - 8 p.m.

Empowering Latina Leadership and Action & UWT Latinx Student Union present Price of Plenty: Voices of the Yakima Valley. Join us for a screening of the ground-breaking documentary followed by a panel discussion with frontline community members and farm workers as we discuss environmental issues, advocacy, and our vision for a more equitable future.

RSVP for Price of Plenty screening

Saturday April 18

Sew-cial sustainability upcycling workshop

Gould Court, 1 - 3 p.m.

Bring your old clothes and give them new life! Come hang out, get creative, and learn how to upcycle your clothing through sewing, dyeing, patchwork, and more. No experience needed, just bring something you’re ready to reinvent. This event is part of a senior Community, Environment, and Planning (CEP) capstone project. All skill levels are welcome. Supplies will be provided, but bringing your own clothing items is encouraged.

UW Farm volunteer session

Mercer Court, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Volunteer with UW Farm and learn more about how the Farm operates on campus! Activities could include harvesting, planting, weeding, installing drip irrigation, and much more. All are welcome, but are asked to complete the sign-up forms before arriving. Wear closed-toed, sturdy shoes and thick, heavy socks, and bring a hat, snack, water bottle, and weather-resistant layers of clothing.

Volunteer with UW Farm Volunteering schedule

Week 3: April 19 - 25

Sunday April 19

Native plant sale

Douglas Research Conservatory, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The UW Native Plant Nursery's annual spring sale features many species, from ground cover to trees. You can find some Pacific NW gardeners' favorites, including lupine, yarrow, western red cedar, Oregon sunshine, stonecrop, vine maple and more. This is the in-person sale - you can also order online from April 6 to April 10.

Native plant sale

Monday April 20

When driving is not an option, with author and advocate Anna Zivarts

Architecture Hall 147, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Join Anna Letitia Zivarts, author of When Driving is Not an Option, for an evening lecture exploring why the needs of involuntary non-drivers should be central to how we design our transportation systems and communities. When we design with non-drivers in mind, we not only make it easier for everyone to get where they need to go, but also create healthier, more climate-friendly communities. This lecture is hosted by the Department of Urban Design and Planning Professional Council.

Full details and registration

School of Dentistry swap meet

Magnuson Health Sciences E-Court Cafe (E207), 12:30 - 1:15 p.m.

The School of Dentistry Climate Action and Sustainability Team is hosting this informal swap meet. This is a perfect time to give you would-be donated items a new life. Bring scrubs, clothes, household items and similar things to share - bring some stuff, get some stuff!

Dentistry swap meet on Instagram

Tuesday April 21

Earth Week Power Plant Tour

UW Power Plant, 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Go behind the scenes at the University of Washington's Power Plant to learn how energy is generated and distributed across campus. This guided tour offers a unique look at the UW’s infrastructure and sustainability efforts in action. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

Power Plant tour registration

Upcycled water bottle holders

The MILL, 3 - 5 p.m.

Create your own water bottle holder out of upcycled paper-waste bags! Participants will use their own water bottle to create a custom pattern for a water bottle holder. They will then sew this pattern on our sewing machines, utilizing upcycled paper-waste bags. Free for HFS residents, $1 for other UW community members. Spots are very limited and registration is required.

Wednesday April 22

Decarbonizing UW

Zoom, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Join this online discussion of how the UW is planning to decarbonize our energy system on the Seattle campus, and the accomplishments we've made so far. Speakers are UW Executive Director of Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations Dave Woodson and UW Sustainability Director Lisa Dulude.

Earth Day student sustainability

HUB Lawn/Red Square, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Connect with student organizations and peers at this sustainability mixer. Many different sustainability-related RSOs will be tabling for Earth Day. Discover ways to get involved and build community with others passionate about sustainability.

Earth Day thrift pop-up

HUB Lawn, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

UW Green Greeks is hosting this pop-up thrift sale. Stop by and find used clothes, books and more looking for a new home.

Thrift popup event on Instagram

Open farm and free microgreens planting

Condon Hall 147, 2 - 4 p.m.

Project Indoor Farm will be hosting a free micro greens planting workshop and an open farm for anyone interested in seeing the farm in full bloom and taking home a micro green plant to grow! All attendees who want to take home microgreens are encouraged to bring their own container (a small plastic or glass container) to hold their seeds.

UW Dining apple giveaway

Local Point & Center Table

Grab a free apple on Earth Day at UW Dining locations Local Point or Center Table, courtesy of UW Dining's partners at Charlie’s Produce.

UW Tacoma Earth Day celebration

William Philip Hall, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

UW Tacoma's Earth Day features a tabling fair with community and on-campus groups, a professional clothing pop-up, mending and tailoring station, collaborative art projects, plant giveaways, pie-in-the-face fundraiser for The Pantry, music, and food! Don’t forget to bring your own clothes for mending and tailoring. Open from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for the campus; the thrift pop-up and mending station will remain open from 2 - 5 p.m. for all.

UWT Earth Day celebration on Instagram

Thursday April 23

Stormwater stenciling

Red Square, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

NOTE: This was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was rescheduled for weather. Join Seattle Public Utilities, UW Sustainability and Huskies for Equitable Sustainability (HuES) for a hands-on storm drain stenciling event to raise awareness about water pollution. Help protect local waterways by marking drains and learning how everyday actions impact Lake Washington. Stop by the SPU tent on Red Square to get paint and stenciling supplies, then paint student-designed stencils to raise awareness about reducing pollution that runs into our natural waterways.

Stenciling event

What's the future of textile waste symposium (UW Tacoma)

UWT Milgard Hall, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

This symposium explores the critical intersections of environmental impact, consumer behavior, and sustainable fashion. Hosted by The Chayah Movement, this free, community-centered experience brings together thought leaders, industry experts, passionate advocates, and community members for a dynamic and action-driven series of events.

Symposium schedule and registration

UW Farm volunteer session

Mercer Court, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 - 4 p.m.

Volunteer with UW Farm and learn more about how the Farm operates on campus! Help renovate the beds at the Mercer Court location, planting new plum trees and raspberries, pollinator flowers and herbs. All are welcome, but are asked to complete the sign-up forms before arriving. Wear closed-toed, sturdy shoes and thick, heavy socks, and bring a hat, snack, water bottle, and weather-resistant layers of clothing.

Volunteer with UW Farm Volunteering schedule

Friday April 24

Intergenerational dialogues: A workshop for collaborative leadership

HUB 334, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The Collaborative Leadership Program at the Puget Sound Institute (UW Tacoma) and UW EarthLab invite UW students to a workshop on collaboration and conflict resolution. The workshop will feature interaction between students and a panel of accomplished leaders who have collaborated on issues like salmon recovery and Puget Sound restoration. Through interactive exercises, case studies, intergenerational dialogues, and small group conversations, students will learn key concepts and develop collaborative leadership skills they can apply to a wide variety of situations. This event is free for all current UW students, no matter your major or home campus. Please commit to attending the full workshop in person.

UW Farm volunteer session

Center for Urban Horticulture, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 - 4 p.m.

Volunteer with UW Farm and learn more about how the Farm operates on campus! Help renovate pollinator gardens, and plant flowers and vegetables. All are welcome, but are asked to complete the sign-up forms before arriving. Wear closed-toed, sturdy shoes and thick, heavy socks, and bring a hat, snack, water bottle, and weather-resistant layers of clothing.

Volunteer with UW Farm Volunteering schedule

Remade: A Fashion Revolution Experience (UW Tacoma)

2501 S C St., 6 - 8 p.m.

This event is an interactive closing to Fashion Revolution Week, made possible through a partnership with The Chayah Movement and Promo Originals Tacoma, featuring local upcycler Belmore. This hands-on experience invites participants to learn sustainable fashion practices, create custom tees, and explore how fashion can be reimagined through creativity and community.

Get tickets: Fashion Revolution closeout

Saturday April 25

UW Farm volunteer session

Mercer Court, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Volunteer with UW Farm Volunteering schedule

Birding and bagels

Meet at Hey Bagel, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Join the UW Program on Climate Change Undergraduate Cohort for an Earth Week birding and bagels event. Meet outside of Hey Bagel in UVillage and the club will provide fresh bagels to enjoy. We will then walk to Yesler Swamp for birding. BOYB (binoculars)!

Birding and bagels event

Week 4: April 26 - May 2

Tuesday April 28

From Birds to Bees to Wild Lands: Caring for Our Planet, Close to Home

Zoom, 12 - 1 p.m.

In celebration of Earth Day, the UW Combined Fund Drive invites you to a special Lunch & Learn highlighting local nonprofits dedicated to protecting and preserving our environment. In the spirit of this year’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet, we’re excited to welcome three inspiring organizations making a tangible impact right here in Washington to share how you can help keep our home healthy and green.

Katz Distinguished Lecture: Stephanie LeMenager

Kane 220, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

This talk considers the role of fiction as a form of resistant truth telling in an era of lies, bullish*t, propaganda, GenAI fakes and conspiracy theory, and in the shadow of climate crisis. In our media atmosphere filled with falsehoods, fiction becomes a means of capturing messy realities unassimilable to propaganda. Moreover, the flexibility of fictional imagination allows for social responses to radical uncertainties, via new genres of storytelling that call climate-change publics into being. In this talk, we'll consider stories of megafire. This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. and will be open until all seats are filled.

LeMenager lecture details

Wednesday April 29

Katz Colloquium: Energy Humanities, with Stephanie LeMenager

Communications 202, 3:30 - 5 p.m.

LeMenager will talk about her 2013 book, Living Oil: Petroleum Culture in the American Century, then and now, with reflections on that research, more than ten years after publication. She will also discuss how Living Oil relates to her current work and to her first book, Manifest and Other Destinies. Stephanie LeMenager is Professor in English and Affiliate Faculty of the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Oregon, where she co-directs the Center for Environmental Futures. This event is open to UW faculty, students and staff.

Katz Colloquium event

Surges + floods

Architecture Hall 147, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

The UW Landscape Architecture Professional Advisory Council presents this lecture with Maura Rockcastle, co-founder and principal of TEN x TEN. Stewardship in the context of the Mississippi River is a layered and complicated idea. Human, non-human, cultural, geologic, floodplain, wetland, backwater habitats, and riverine systems depend on relationships and reciprocity to thrive. In the Twin Cities, there is a groundswell of awareness and advocacy that nurtures the critical relationships between these human and environmental systems across policy, design, and community forums. How can future work in the public realm of the Mississippi River honor Indigenous legacy, build resilience and community power, and better understand future vulnerabilities?

Surges + floods details and registration

Thursday April 30

Fire humanities: panel discussion and storytelling

Burke Museum, 6:30 p.m.

What does it mean to live well as wildfire and smoke season becomes more a part of life in the Pacific Northwest and many other places around the world? As much as we focus on preparedness and reducing materials that fuel wildfires, we must also reckon with the human dimensions of fire, which shape how we interact with it. This program will feature a panel discussion with five contributors to the book “Fire Humanities," who will share their approaches to this emerging field of research.

Throughout April

Exhibit: "Call of the Camas: An Appreciation of Northwest Native Plants"

Allen Library North Mezzazine, through May 15

Call of the Camas highlights the beauty and importance of native plants in the Northwest, from beargrass to sword ferns to huckleberries. The accompanying guide points to places on campus and beyond where you can deepen your appreciation of our native plants. Stop by the first floor mezzanine of Allen Library to check out selections from Special Collections and the UW Libraries, offering a glimpse of the Northwest's vibrant and diverse native plants.

Native plants exhibit

Exhibit: "Reimagining Korean Jogakbo: From Tradition to Sustainability"

Tateuchi East Asia Library George M. Beckmann Reading Room (Gowen Hall), through April 30

Jogakbo is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth made from small fabric remnants. Created by women in the household, Jogakbo reflects resourcefulness, care, and the beauty of everyday materials. Inspired by this tradition, Bella Yongok Kim reinterprets Jogakbo through contemporary art using recycled plastic packaging and fabric. By stitching together discarded materials, she transforms what was once overlooked into new patterns and forms.

Jogakbo exhibit