Earth Week 2024
April 22 to 27
This year, UTD is celebrating its thirteenth annual Earth Week—hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the Office of Student Volunteerism—to continue the legacy of Earth Day. The theme is “Green UTD,” highlighting sustainability efforts on campus and how you can get involved. See below for descriptions of the in-person events and visit the Comet Calendar for locations, dates and times. Registration is required for most activities.
Schedule of Events
Join us on Earth Day as we conduct a bioblitz (biological census) of the Monarch Waystation, learn about pollinators and help maintain the native ecosystem. This is an outdoor volunteer project, so dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. No experience necessary.
Join us for our last townhall to learn more about the Green Fee Referendum and ask any questions you may have! Student Government will be giving a presentation about the fee and its impact on UTD sustainability efforts. Students will have a chance to ask questions at the end. Sustain Our Future, Vote Green!
Celebrate Earth Week by attending a garden orientation to learn about the Community Garden’s history and the policies and program expectations and take a tour of the garden. Garden orientation is required to become a garden helper or attend workday events.
Join us to create sustainable crafts to use in gardens of all sizes. We will paint “strawberry rocks” that pose as decoy strawberries, deterring birds and other uninvited guests from stealing out of the garden.
Join the Office of Sustainability and the Office of Student Volunteerism for our annual Earth Fair! We are bringing campus and community sustainability partners who will share information about UTD and other local sustainability initiatives.
Join the Office of Sustainability and SUAAB’s Meteor Theater for a screening of Bee Movie.
Help pick up litter along the stretch of highway adopted by the Office of Student Volunteerism. Please dress for the weather and wear close-toed shoes.
Join us for this special workday and be the first to hear the new name of the micro farm at the Eco Hub. The Eco Hub is a half-acre micro farm that grows food for Comets in need. We rely on volunteers like you to assist with the day-to-day maintenance of the farm. Volunteers will perform basic gardening tasks such as weeding, watering, harvesting, planting and laying mulch.
Join the Office of Sustainability and Dr. Scott Rippel to install new hives around campus. The hives are maintained primarily by students, and the honey produced by the hives is sold 1-2 times per year. Limited spots available.
Resources
Earth Week
United Nations
UT Dallas Sustainability Service Honors
UT Dallas Green Office Certification
Earth Week Fun Facts
- The name Earth Day was coined by the writer Julian Koening and the first event was planned on his 49th birthday, on April 22, 1970. (EarthDay.org)
- Aside from being Julian Koening birthday, April 22 was chosen due to the time being perfect for college students to be involved as it is between spring break and final exams! (EarthSky.org)
- The 1970s were a decade of environmental change. Due to rising concerns, a book, ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson, and the impact of the first Earth Day, all led to the legislative changes, the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. (NOAA / EPA)
- Earth Day is not exclusive to the United States. By 1990, it became international. Though some countries call it International Mother Earth Day instead. (UN)
- Earth Day has an anthem, aptly named “Earth Anthem,” created by an Indian poet Abhay Kumar (EarthAnthem.net)
- While an impressive 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day, the numbers have only increased. It is now estimated that over one billion people worldwide come together for the environment. (Library of Congress / EarthDay.org)
UT Dallas Goes Green!
- UT Dallas diverts all food waste from the landfill for composting at Dining Hall West and students deliver leftover food to the needy through the Food Recovery Network.
- UT Dallas is certified a Bee Campus USA through the Xerces Society and a certified Tree Campus USA through the Arbor Day Foundation.
- More than three million plastic bottles have been saved by students using campus’ 43 water bottle filling stations.
- UT Dallas currently has seven LEED Certified Buildings.
- An estimated eight million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year (Office of Environmental quality, US Department of State). UT Dallas recycled 1.4 million pounds of waste in 2018, which has gradually and steadily increased to 9.8 million pounds. UTD supports national recycling programs and encourages sustainable behavior. Check the Recycling Project and get involved.
- Through the Office of Student Volunteerism and the Office of Sustainability, year-round “green” events include the Butterfly Flutterby, Adopt-a-Highway clean ups, UTD Community Garden work, Eco Hub initiatives and more!
2023 Earth Week Impact
- Volunteers donated a total of 561 hours with multiple events organized by OSV, collectively contributing $17,727 of volunteer time (The Independent Sector) during Earth Week 2023.
- Events and service opportunities engaged 500+ participants in 15 events with 8 community partners, 15 campus departments, and 8 student organizations.
- Earth Fair is the largest event during Earth Week and features an array of student and community focused green initiatives.
- UT Dallas has a certified monarch waystation on campus. Butterfly Flutterby, established during Earth Week 2015, gives students the opportunity to enjoy and maintain the butterfly habitat year-round.