This year's Earth Day theme is "Our Power, Our Planet." There are many ways to get involved on and around campus this April. Check out the schedule below! It will be updated continuously.

Have an event to share? Email us.

All Month

Bell Museum exhibit open: Imagine the Future — This exhibition invites visitors to learn about climate change in Minnesota and find hope—and inspiration—in the ways people are taking action to foster a better tomorrow.

Bell Museum exhibit open: Wonder: Experiences of Nature, Curiosity, and Play (until June 7) — Nature can inspire awe, curiosity, surprise, and more. Have you ever been amazed by something you saw or heard outside? Has an experience in nature inspired a question that you just had to answer? Wonder explores the relationship between nature, curiosity, and play through experiences that encourage creativity, story-telling, and reflection.

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Where the Seed Remembers: A Celebration of Earth, Lineage and Memory in the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Reedy Gallery — An immersive multicultural community art exhibit that celebrates earth, creation, lineage and memory. It is co-curated by artist, storyteller, and cultural architect Joshua "Brotha Asé" Gillespie. This exhibition and accompanying celebration and community gatherings honors the connection between Mother Earth and the human experience. It explores birth, nurturing, protection, identity, grief, joy and the giving and receiving cycles. The experience blends visual art, sacred storytelling, spoken word, and communal reflection to reawaken connection in a time of disconnection. These stories, artworks and reflections are presented by 10 Minnesota artists representing the Black, Indigenous, Latiné, East African and Afro-Caribbean communities.

Stillpoint, Changing Line in the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Cafe Gallery — In a world defined by constant motion, "Stillpoint, Changing Line" explores the tension between what we hold onto and what we let go. This exhibition serves to illustrate that nothing remains static. Rather, the "line" is both a boundary and a path, marking the edge of what is known while leading us toward what is becoming. The exhibition brings together four distinct voices to explore as they move from the rigid and structural to the fluid and ephemeral. Viewers are invited to travel a complete spectrum of artistic interpretation as they enjoy “still world” of flower cloches to the kinetic power of untamed motion found in paintings.

St. Paul Citywide Cleanup Volunteer Events — Celebrate Earth Month by gathering with your neighbors to clean up litter in our Saint Paul neighborhoods and parks.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Spring Flower Show (through April 26)

Earth Month with Coca-Cola: Explore campus through an interactive scavenger hunt that encourages sustainable choices and engagement across M Food Co. Markets, Bookstores, and SUA locations. Participants can complete challenges focused on recycling, alternative transportation, and other environmentally conscious actions while earning points for a chance to win one of three Coca-Cola e-bikes.

Wednesday, April 1

7 to 8 p.m. Herb Planting Collab with Net Impact and Plant Futures in Bruininks 312. Bring a jar or can to repurpose and plant herbs in!

Thursday, April 2

POSTPONED: Check Instagram for updates — UMN Horticulture Club's Annual Plant Sale, Coffman Memorial Union

12 p.m. Practical Water Wisdom: Waterbird Biology, Ecology and Conservation — A free online webinar hosted by Itasca Waters and Minnesota Sea Grant in learning about about waterbird biology, ecology, and conservation as part of the Practical Water Wisdom webinar series, co-sponsored by MNSG. (Register)

12:30 p.m. 2026 KDI Burst: Faculty Co-Learning Session with Julia Watson — This co-learning session invites participants to explore together how ancestral and nature-based knowledge systems can reshape contemporary ways of thinking and relating. 

7:15 to 7:45 p.m. Spring Wildflower Walk at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum — Join in for a short walk into the Wildflower Garden to look for spring ephemerals in bloom. You will learn how to identify them and what makes them special. This walk is from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m., before the Full Moon Hike. This is a free add-on to the Full Moon Hike, so register first for the Full Moon Hike, then for the Wildflower Walk. Space is limited.

8 to 10 p.m. Full Pink Moon Hike at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum — Enjoy a self-guided evening hike at the Arboretum while basking in the glow of the Full Pink Moon. April’s full moon is named for the pink moss phlox that begins to bloom in April in other parts of the county – though moss phlox typically blooms in May in Minnesota. In honor of the pink moon, a  hiking path around Green Heron Pond will be lit with pink up lights, illuminating the surrounding landscape.

Saturday, April 4

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mother Earth Summit – Humphrey School of Public Affairs – Interested in environmental justice? Create meaningful connections, share your knowledge and collaborate on environmental challenges in Minnesota. You do not have to be a student to attend, bring your friends and family! Enjoy engaging discussions, speakers and free food.

Monday, April 6

6 to 7 p.m. Environmental Student Association (ESA) Job Panel, Bruininks Hall room 230. Hear from professionals working in a range of environmental fields! Network, ask questions, and enjoy free food.

April 6–10: National Public Health Week

National Public Health Week is a time to recognize the contributions of public health each year, and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation’s health and resilience. The School of Public Health is hosting various activities throughout the week.

Tuesday, April 7: Climate Resilience Teach-In and World Health Day

All day Climate Resilience Teach-In — A campus-wide series of events exploring climate resilience through learning, collaboration, and action. (See all events)

8:45 to 11:30 a.m. Plenary session — Opening session featuring the President's signing indicating the University’s adoption of the Okanagan Charter, keynote speakers, and a guided mindfulness practice. (Register)

12 to 1 p.m. IGNITE Luncheon — Fast-paced presentations showcasing student and researcher work on climate resilience across disciplines. (Register)

2 to 3:15 p.m. Creative Conversation with the Tree Canopy: A Listening, Breathing, & Writing Walk — A guided outdoor experience combining reflection, writing, and learning about the role of trees in climate resilience. (Register)

4 to 6 p.m. No Trash Talk Social Event with Reuse MN at Town Hall Lanes: Connect with peers in the materials management world at our fun, casual networking event! Share ideas, spark collaborations, and work toward a more sustainable future. 👥 Open to members from organizations like Reuse Minnesota, ARM, MNCC, SWAA, Minnesota Waste Wise, RAM, and SWANA—but everyone is welcome!

Wednesday, April 8

9 to 10 a.m. NEW On-Campus Solar Coffee Chat — Coming soon to campus: 4 more megawatts of solar electricity! This session with UMN energy experts will explore what’s ahead for energy and the future of solar at the University. (Register)

6 to 8 p.m. Pot Painting with University Student Government's Environmental Accountability and Infrastructure Committees — Wilson Library Research Collaboration Studio

Friday, April 10

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kindness Grows, Beacon Room at RecWell — Spread kindness and let it grow! Decorate your own pot and start growing a plant. Free event, no sign-up needed.

4 to 5 p.m. Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (UMACS) Sustainability Career Panel — Join in to learn from a panel of alumni from UMACS Campuses who are now working in Sustainability careers. Kick off the weekend in community while getting inspired about how you can launch your own sustainability career. UMACS is a network of staff, faculty and students from colleges and universities working together to promote sustainability throughout the Upper Midwest.

Saturday, April 11

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Environmental Student Association hiking trip at Jay Cooke State Park (space is limited)

Monday, April 13

6 to 7 p.m. Hear from Friends of the Boundary Waters and guest speaker Sam Reed with the Environmental Student Association in The Toaster

Tuesday, April 14

4:30 to 8 p.m. IMPACTFUL with M Food Co. at Pioneer Dining Hall — Join us at Pioneer Dining Hall for Impactful, a dining experience that highlights how food connects to sustainability, wellness, and community. This year’s event focuses on the powerful impact dining has on the environment, culinary innovation, and everyday habits.

Wednesday, April 15

4 to 6 p.m. — WAM Jams at the Weisman Art Museum (Shepherd Room): Learn how to mend your favorite sweater with textile artist India Johnson. Free bagels and coffee, lo-fi music with Radio K, eco-conscious activities with the UMN Bee Squad, recommended reading on sustainability by the Libraries, and more! Free and open to the public.

4 to 6 p.m. CESP Campus Cleanup — Phillips-Wangensteen Building, Room 3154/3156. Attendees should first meet in Phillips-Wangensteen 3154/3156 for a brief presentation and discussion. Afterward, we will walk together to the East River Parking Garage for the campus cleanup. Snacks will be provided, with options to accommodate plant-based and other dietary needs. RSVP

Friday, April 17

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. — KDI Exchange: Regenerative Systems—Designing from Soil to Fiber to Structures What does it mean to design for regeneration? This Exchange highlights the intersecting efforts of practitioners working to transform the policies, supply chains, and ecological systems that shape what design makes possible.

Saturday, April 18

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board's 32nd Annual Earth Day Cleanup, 35 sites

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friends of the Mississippi River's annual river gorge Earth Day cleanup, West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis. Advance registration for this event is not required for individuals or groups of fewer than 10. If you have a group of 10+ people, please register your group.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Prospect Park Earth Day Cleanup at the Prospect Park Water Tower — Join MUSSA, UMN Undergraduate Geography Student Association (UGSA), and the Prospect Park Association for a cleanup at Tower Hill Park. The event will begin with a brief talk on the history of the Witch's Hat Water Tower, followed by a community cleanup. Gloves and trash bags will be provided for all volunteers.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE) / Sustainable Systems Management (SSM) Major Open House — We will start with lunch, a short presentation for each of the two majors followed by hands-on activities (preselected during registration). We will end with a panel of alum and current students and some opportunity to mingle. Register 

Sunday, April 19

1 p.m. Campus Cleanup Crew clean up outside Peik Hall

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. MN 350 Earth Day Celebration at Brian Coyle Center — Make seed bombs with soil, clay and seeds; Pack outreach kits with toiletries and snacks. Register

Wednesday, April 22: Earth Day! 🌎

8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Inside the AI Hub: Earth, Energy, and Accountability — Casual, interactive walk-through gallery in Walter Library, Room 101. Join the AI Hub for a community conversation exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability. Attendees can learn about how AI is being used for environmental research, ask questions about energy and water use, and share ideas for responsible technology.

• Live demos of small, energy-efficient models from the AI Makerspace, 
• Showcasing UMN research like the AI for Earth Summer School
• Local tie-ins including honey from The Bee Squad and native seeds from Twin City Seed Co. 
• Donuts and coffee will be served! 

4 to 7 p.m. Earth Day trash pick-up, free clothing swap, bake sale, outdoor games, and more! With UMN Outdoors Club, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Club, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Environmental Student Association, and the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Club. Location: East River Flats

4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Earth Day Cleanup hosted by Interdisciplinary Transportation Student Organization (ITSO) and NCITE's Young Member Committee at East River Flats Park

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Aurora Center, a unit of Student Affairs, is hosting their signature event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), Take Back the Night (TBTN), in Coffman’s Great Hall. TBTN is the oldest worldwide movement dedicated to advocating for survivors and promoting a safer campus. This year's theme is Rooted in History, Community, & Respect and their creative assets reflect a nature-inspired look and feel. The event offers a powerful forum for survivors and allies to come together, share stories, and amplify a message against sexual violence. Hosted by the Aurora Center in partnership with the Women's Center, and the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Program (SMPP.) Learn more about Aurora's programming this month.

Thursday, April 23

12:30 p.m. OLLI At-the-U: Exploring Antarctica’s Future. The College of Continuing and Professional Studies is hosting an online event where they will explore 6-million-years of climate history through Antarctic ice cores, revealing past warmth, sea levels, and Earth’s changing climate.This session will explore how scientists are using ice core data to better understand the planet’s climate during a time of warmer temperatures and higher sea levels.

April 23–26

Art in Bloom — Minneapolis Institute of Art

Friday, April 24: Arbor Day 🌳

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Earth in Balance: Harmony, Flow, and the Future of Earth (online), hosted by the International Institute For Biosensing — On April 24, 2026, the Living Earth Initiative, International Institute for BioSensing, Biomimetics International, IEEE Twin Cities Sensor Council Chapter brings together an extraordinary group of thinkers, builders, and changemakers to explore a different narrative—one rooted in hope, alignment, and action.

4 to 8 p.m. Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration at Bethune Park — About 60 trees will be planted across the park during the celebration, and everyone can help.

Saturday, April 25

6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Arboretum Bird Day at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum — Grow your knowledge of birds with your choice of walks and workshops! Birding is for everyone. Come together with birding enthusiasts and experts from around the region to celebrate spring migration! This day-long buffet of workshops, nature walks and book signings will be offered to birders from novice to experienced. Amidst the setting of spring flowers, interact with a host of experts about birding, habitat, quirky bird science and even meet live raptors! Pay one fee for the day, but customize your experience based on your interests. Keynote: Birds, Cameras & Inclusivity with Dudley Edmonson.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arbor Day Celebration 🌳 at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Arboretum Grounds (rain or shine) — Celebrate Arbor Day at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum! Join us for a day of discovery, nature and creativity as we honor the beauty and importance of trees with a series of exciting activities and events. Whether you're a nature lover, a family looking for fun or an art enthusiast, we’ve curated an unforgettable experience for all ages.

• Tree Giveaway
• Tree-themed crafts and activities that bring the world of trees to life
• Tree Quest
• Spring Tree ID Walks
• Spoon Carving Demonstrations
• Support Our Tree Collections
• Andersen Horticultural Library StoryTime

4 to 10:30 p.m. Spring Jam with Student Unions & Activities — A full day of free activities and live music! Check out this year's offerings including the Battle of the Bands, games, food vendors, student orgs, and more, and stop by to chat with the Office of Sustainability there!

Wednesday, April 29

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fleet Services EV Test Drive — Maroon Lot. Explore the future of sustainable transportation at the Fleet EV Test Drive and Car Show! Stop by Maroon Lot to check out electric vehicles available through University Fleet Services, learn more about EV options for departments that purchase or rent fleet vehicles, and experience select models firsthand through test drives. Whether you're actively considering an EV for your department or simply curious about the latest fleet technology, this is a great opportunity to see what’s possible.

4:30 to 8 p.m. Stop Food Waste Day Celebrate the 10th annual Stop Food Waste Day! Learn about what M Food Co. is doing behind the scenes to help cut down on food waste and what you can do both in and out of the dining halls, while earning some prizes along the way. Ever wondered how much food actually gets thrown away? Take your best guess at the weight of real dining hall food waste, and you could win $50 Bonus Dining Dollars! Find Zane, the M Food Co. Sustainability Intern in Middlebrook on Tuesday, 4/21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pioneer on Thursday, 4/23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at 17th Ave. Tuesday, 4/28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and play Food Waste Trivia to win a Stop Food Waste Day pin or sticker; wear it to the Stop Food Waste Day Event on April 29th to be entered into a raffle to win a Patagonia backpack and 24oz Owala!

6 p.m. Petri Dish | Nothing is forever: What will it take to clean up PFAS in our waterways? with the College of Biological Sciences at Urban Growler

Thursday, April 30

6 to 8:30 p.m. Climate Wayfinding with Katharine Wilkinson: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home at the Bell Museum