Earth Month

UW Bothell and Cascadia College host events throughout the month of April in celebration of Earth Day. For us, Earth Day is about recognizing the inextricable link between human systems and the more-than-human world, and understanding that the health of our communities is directly tied to the health of all of the Earth’s systems.

Many student groups and departments host Earth Month events, and these events range from volunteer opportunities, gatherings and discussions, tours, and more.

Earth Month 2026

Find this year’s events listed below. Refer to this page for a map and directions to campus.

Earth Fair, Weds April 15, 11 – 2pm, at the Codex (outside the library)
Earth Fair is our annual event featuring a Free Market and lots of fun booths and activities from plant giveaways to crafts! Stop by Anytime

Donation Drive, March 30th – April 14th
To stock the Free Market, we are accepting donations of clothes, houseware, and other items. and kitchen ware, school supplies, and more. Good condition only, no furniture or large items.

Donation bins will be in the following locations

• ARC 1st floor lobby
• Discovery Hall Lower Level Lobby
• UW1 1st floor lobby
• CC locations

Trivia Night and Bucket Decorating! April 16, TIME TBD
Outdoor Wellness and Alliance 4 Sustainability club are hosting a night of trash, sustainability, and Earth Month related trivia at the ARC Overlook alongside a chance to decorate buckets to use in the upcoming #LNT challenge (Leave No Trash) the following week. Compete in the bucket decorating challenge and win the “Golden Trash Picker”!!

LeaveNoTrash Challenge Week, April 18 – 25, TIME TBD
Join the UWB/CC team as we compete against campuses around the world to pick up the most trash during Earth week! OW, UWB/CC Grounds Team, and Alliance 4 Sustainability will be hosting 2 pickup parties for students to join, or students can create their own.

Bucket Planting, April 24, TIME TBD
Used a bucket during the pickup challenge and want to repurpose it? Join OW and the Grounds team to recycle your bucket into planters and walk home with a new green friend!

Volunteering and Outdoor Activities

Farm Work Party, Thurs April 9, 10 – 12pm, at the Campus Farm, followed by lunch
Come check out the campus farm, and get your hands dirty! We’re replacing the grass at the farm with mulch and looking for a group of volunteers to lend a hand. Lunch provided! Sign up here.

Bird Watching 101, Fri April 10, 10 – 12pm, Innovation Hall 134
Learn how to identify birds, which common birds are near you, and find helpful resources to support your birding journey! We’ll start with a presentation, then hit the campus trails for bird watching.
All skill levels are welcome. Register here.

Thrift Store volunteering, Fri April 17th, 12:30 – 2:30pm, at Helping Hands in Bothell
Come support a local nonprofit and keep usable items in circulation! Volunteers will assist with sorting merchandise, tagging and pricing clothing, and restocking items on the sales floor. Sign up here.

Medicinal Garden Work Party, Fri April 24th, 10:30 – 12pm, followed by lunch
Did you know we have a medicinal garden on campus? Come learn about this cool feature, lend a hand with upkeep at the garden, and if you’re lucky, meet some of the wildlife visitors! Lunch provided!  Sign up here.  

During this time, you’ll also have a chance to meet members of the Campus Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (CACES), which includes students, staff, and faculty committed to advancing sustainability.

Earth Day 5k Walk, Saturday April 25, 10 – p, outside the ARC
This is an Earth Day 5k walk ‘n talk. There is an optional trash clean up along the Burk Gilman Trail as we walk. (Participants must bring their own bags and gloves) The focus will be on stewardship and learning about climate anxiety and solutions. Register here.

Saint Edward State Park Restoration, Sat April 25, 3 – 5pm, at St Edward State Park
Help remove key invasive species around the park! Register here.

Hike with Biology Club, April 26th, 11 – 1pm
Details coming soon!

Talks & Discussions

Campus Library Native Art Walk, Weds April 22, 3:30 – 5pm, meeting in CC1-002
Join the Campus Library and Inclusion, Advocacy, and Community Center for a tour and discussion of the library’s Rose Collection of Northwest Native Art.
We’ll meet in the Inclusion and Advocacy Center (CC1-002) before heading into the library. If you haven’t been on an art walk yet, this is a very low-key, discussion-based event—it’s a nice time to slow down, look closely, and meet new people. 😊

Teatime Talks: Climate Anxiety, Thurs April 23, 1:15 – 2:15pm in CC1-002
Climate anxiety has real impact on many of us. In this Teatime Talk, Professors Denise Michaels and David Ortiz discuss the meaning and strategies to address climate anxiety. We hope to see you there!

Student Academic Showcase, Sat April 25th, 11 – 3 at St Edward State Park
Part of the larger City of Kenmore Earth Day Vendor Fair, this student showcase will highlight the amazing work of our students. Drop in for a treat and hear from UW Bothell and Cascadia College researchers!
Students interested in presenting at the showcase should submit this form.

Does Sustainability Require Democracy? A panel. Tues April 28, 6 – 7:30pm at the City of Bothell Library
Join faculty from UW Bothell and Cascadia College to explore a central question: does sustainability require democracy? Panelists will discuss how societies pursue sustainability, the roles of different forms of governance, and the questions and tensions that emerge along the way. Register here.

Creativity, Repair, and Upcycling Workshops

Book Exchange and Silent Reading Party, Mon April 6, 3 – 4:30pm,
Give your books a new life at this book exchange and enjoy the cozy space to read and craft!

Repair Cafe, Weds April 8, 2 – 6pm, at the Maker Space in Discover Hall 152*
Got something broken? Bring it to this free Repair Cafe for a volunteer fixer to repair it. First come, first serve, 2 item limit per person. Some items we can look at include bikes, jewelry, small appliances, toys, and more!
*Bike repair station will be outside Discovery Hall’s Lower Level lobby. Bikes are not allowed inside buildings.

Mini Skirt Thrift Flip, 12 – 3pm
Instead of throwing old clothes away, this is a chance to get creative, learn a new skill, and give old pieces a second life!
Stitched is hosting a thrift‑flip workshop where you’ll learn how to turn an old pair of jeans into a mini skirt using simple hand‑sewing techniques. This lesson is beginner‑friendly, making it perfect for anyone with little to no sewing experience who wants to learn the basics of upcycling.
The workshop is led by Clem Creations, an Olympia-based designer, who focuses entirely on 100% upcycled and reworked pieces. Clem has showcased her work in dozens of runway shows and fashion showcases over the years, and brings a lot of experience in sustainable, creative fashion.

Coloring Climate Justice, Tues April 21, 1 – 4pm, in UW1-370 (drop in when you can!)
Join us to create your own coloring page exploring climate justice, sustainability, and/or the future you want to imagine! Your coloring page will be featured in the School of IAS’ first-ever Climate Justice Coloring Book.
No art experience needed. Bring your computer if you want to use Canva for your coloring page, or bring a pencil or pen if you prefer to draw by hand. Coloring books will be printed on 100% recycled paper.

Visit the UW Earth Month calendar to see all the events happening across the three UW campuses!