Get involved: Earth Month events invite campus to connect with sustainability
By Kendall Sternberg, University Communications
Volunteers from Epsilon Eta have planted trees on campus donated by the Tree Canopy Expansion Project, a project funded by the Campus Sustainability Fund. The Tree Canopy Expansion Project will continue to plant trees in strategic locations across campus in late April.
Campus Sustainability Fund
The University of Arizona is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with a variety of events focused on sustainability, environmental awareness and community engagement. From an Earth Day 5K to events highlighting internship and career opportunities in sustainability fields, students, faculty and staff are invited to explore ways to connect with and care for the environment.
Below are a few of the events happening throughout the month. A full list of Earth Month activities is available on the Office of Sustainability website.
Head to the the University of Arizona Community Garden on April 25 for a seedball workshop with the Sustainability Pathways Internship from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The garden is located at 1400 E. Mabel St.
Office of Sustainability
April 10, 1-3:30 p.m. – Arizona Institute for Resilience Education Student Showcase
April 10, 2:15-3:30 p.m. – Wish You Were Here Climate Postcards Workshop
April 14-15 – Water Resources Research Center 2026 Annual Conference
April 18, 4-7 p.m. – Cooper Center Earth Day Celebration
April 18, 8:30 a.m. – TMC Earth Day 5K at the Biosphere 2
April 20-May 6 – Green Grads pledge opens for students graduating May ‘26
April 20, 12-1 p.m. – Climate Adaptation Career Panel
April 24 – Tree Canopy Expansion Project's Arbor Day Tree Planting Event (closed to public)
April 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Pima County Master Gardener Home Tour
April 25, 8:30-10:30 a.m. – Sustainability Pathways Internship Seedball Workshop in the University of Arizona Community Garden
April 27, 1-4 p.m. – Green Infrastructure Leadership and Engagement Symposium at CAPLA
Kenzie Jackson
Kenzie Jackson, sustainability outreach coordinator in the Office of Sustainability, said Earth Month is a great time to reflect on how we care for the environment in our daily lives.
"It's also a reminder that sustainability is something we can practice year-round," she said. "Whether that's reducing waste, conserving energy or participating in programs like FoodCycle at Home, small actions can add up to meaningful impact over time."
FoodCycle at Home, a residential food composting program run by the city of Tucson and supported by the Office of Sustainability, offers community members an accessible way to reduce food waste and contribute to a more sustainable local system.
Tree planting initiative to expand campus shade
In addition to public Earth Month events, a special Arbor Day tree planting event led by the Tree Canopy Expansion Project is planned on campus. The project is a partnership between the Office of Sustainability and University Facilities Services. While the planting event itself is private, the long-term benefits will be shared across the campus community.
Supported by the Campus Sustainability Fund, the Tree Canopy Expansion Project focuses on increasing tree canopy in high-traffic areas where additional shade can have the greatest impact.
Emily Haworth
"This project is exciting because it's really focused on adding shade to the places people naturally gather, like areas on campus with a lot of foot traffic and biking," said Emily Haworth, sustainability program manager in the Office of Sustainability. "This project is set to plant about 50 trees in carefully selected and strategically placed areas so that future students and the campus community will benefit from increased shade and more comfortable outdoor spaces."
By prioritizing key locations identified through thoughtful planning, the project aims to enhance both the environmental and everyday experience of campus spaces. As these native shade trees grow, they will cool localized temperatures, improve air quality and create more inviting places to study, meet and connect.