The Office of Sustainability encourages the campus community to get involved and benefit the environment through a full slate of events during Earth Week 2024 beginning Saturday (April 13) through April 21.
Throughout the week, the campus community can help plant trees, participate in a litter cleanup and enjoy a plant-based meal in dining halls, among other events.
The WVU Office of Sustainability will also provide an opportunity to recycle personally owned electronics from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at the Student Rec Center. Collection boxes will be available in the lower gym, and individuals are asked to enter from the side door near parking Area 49.
Acceptable electronics include computers, laptops, printers, toner and inkjet cartridges, cell phones, cables and wires, etc. Televisions, CRT monitors, lamps, vacuums, and appliances/white goods like refrigerators and washing machines will not be accepted.
Additional Earth Week activities will be hosted by various departments and units across WVU, including the following:
Saturday, April 13
WVU Core Arboretum Spring Flower Festival
— This family-friendly, free event is open to everyone and will showcase the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers in the Arboretum’s old-growth forest preserve. The event, which runs from 2-6 p.m., includes a self-guided wildflower tour, live music, food trucks in the parking lot and other fun activities.
Sunday, April 14
WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks
— Free wildflower walks will be available on Sundays in April (April 7, 14, 21 and 28) at noon, 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day. Register here.
Monday, April 15
Earth Week Menu
— The WVU Dining Services team will add several unique, plant-based meal options to their lunchtime menus at each dining hall in honor of Earth Week.
Pollinator Garden Maintenance
— Work alongside members of the WVU Sustainable Landscapes Committee to tidy up pollinator gardens for spring. Volunteers are needed to help pull weeds and clear debris from gardens.
Tuesday, April 16
Make It, Take It Seed Planting Kit
— Stop by our table in the Mountainlair across from Hatfields to make a free seed planting kit to take home and grow. Themed kits include: “grow pizza” with basil, chive, oregano and tomato seeds; “grow salsa” with cilantro, chive, jalapeno and tomato seeds; and “grow a salad” with carrot, cucumber, kale and lettuce seeds.
Wednesday, April 17
Free Electronics Recycling Day
— Recycle personally owned electronics at the Student Rec Center from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Collection boxes will be available in the lower gym. Individuals are asked to enter from the side door near parking Area 49. Acceptable electronics include computers, laptops, printers, toner and inkjet cartridges, cell phones, cables and wires, etc. Televisions, CRT monitors, lamps, vacuums and appliances/white goods like refrigerators and washing machines will not be accepted.
Thursday, April 18
Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony
— Join the WVU Tree Campus committee as a new tree is planted on the Evansdale Campus. Learn more about what this group is doing to protect and care for current trees and increase tree diversity on campus.
Friday, April 19
Campus Litter Cleanup
— Join WVU Off-Campus Housing and the Office of Sustainability for a campus- and community-wide litter cleanup effort. Participating volunteers — whether individual or part of a student organization — will be entered for a chance to receive $500 to go toward an approved initiative or charity of their choice.
Earth Day on the Green
– Join the Sierra Student Coalition on the Mountainlair Green from 4-8 p.m. for Earth Day activities, art vendors, live music, food and more.
Find complete Earth Week details.
For questions, contact our team at sustainability@mail.wvu.edu.
Be sure to follow us on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest WVU Sustainability news and information.