Earth Week activities inspire a spirit of community and sustainability, featuring engaging panel discussions, a serene group meditation in Redwood Bowl, and fun-filled trivia and games.
“Times are quite challenging right now for many people in various ways. My hope with Earth Week events is that they can uplift, inspire, and foster solidarity within our campus community. There’s something for everyone to enjoy—art, casual conversations, opportunities to find internships, coffee, film, and dance. This can be a space where you don’t have to take on more work; the world doesn’t have to feel like it’s on your shoulders. You can come, relax, and enjoy being with others in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere,” says Katie Koscielak, Sustainability Analyst at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Earth Week highlights include Coffee for Commuters, where the University’s Sustainable Employee Educators Developing Solutions (SEEDS) will serve coffee and baked goods at the G11 Parking lot and near the Balbanis House, encouraging the campus community to embrace more sustainable commuting. Hosted by Green Campus, the vibrant Sustaina-Ball invites the campus to dance the night away at a sustainable, zero-waste party. Lastly, the EcoTopia Earth Day Celebration brings together the Student Activities Center, Green Campus, and EcoReps—our dedicated student sustainability advocates in Residence Halls—uniting various sustainability-oriented groups to host exciting activities and games.
“I’m really excited about Ecotopia, which will feature various groups tabling on the quad for Earth Day on Tuesday. There will be a food truck, and it’s a great opportunity to spread awareness about the environment and sustainability. This event will allow people to meet different campus groups that focus on sustainability and planning events throughout the school year. It’s a fun way for people to connect and engage with one another,” says Camille Fisher, Associated Students Environmental Sustainability Officer, who leads the planning and coordination of Earth Week events.
This year’s Earth Week is sponsored by SEEDS, the University’s Sustainability Office, Associated Students, Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT), the Library, Gutswurrak Student Activities Center, Green Campus, EcoReps, the Geography Department, the Real Food Challenge, Office of Student Life, Facilities Management, the School of Applied Health, and the Dance department.
Find more information at www.humboldt.edu/sustainable-campus/earth-week-every-week
Monday, April 21
Coffee for Commuters—8-10 a.m., G11 Parking Lot Kiosk and Balbanis House Lawn
The SEEDs team invites commuters of all kinds to the first-ever Coffee for Commuters. To encourage staff, faculty, and students to try a more sustainable commuting option, the team will have hot coffee and baked goods for those arriving on campus by an alternative mode of transportation. Please bring your own clean and durable coffee mug.
Campus Pollinator Tour—3:30-5 p.m., Meet at CCAT (Buck House)
Join Cal Poly Humboldt Climate Action Analyst Morgan King for an easy guided tour of some locations on campus to see and learn about our native pollinators and pollinator plants. Hosted by the Office of Sustainability.
Appropriate Tech and Advocacy—CCAT Club Meeting—5-6 p.m., CCAT (Buck House)
CCAT will be discussing some of the history of appropriate technology and how to advocate for appropriate technology and sustainability on campus and in the community. Anyone is welcome to join in the discussion.
Weigh the Waste—5-8 p.m., The J Dining Hall
Weigh the Waste is a student peer-to-peer campaign that seeks to educate students about food waste and food recovery. For the final event of the semester, Green Campus will engage with students through a spin-the-wheel activity and bingo with food-waste reduction-themed questions. Green Campus will also collect communal food waste from all students who participate in the event.
Tuesday, April 22
Earth Day Rest + Read—11 a.m.- noon, Library 209
Take a beat to read, rest, and reflect at the Library. This session will consider a chapter from the Little Free Sustainability Library book: The Intersectional Environmentalist, How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet by Leah Thomas.
EcoTopia Earth Day Celebration—11 a.m.-2 p.m., University Quad
Ecotopia will be a space where sustainability-oriented groups come together to host activities and games. In the past, there have been birdhouse making, waste relay games, craft stations, swap meets, and clothing upcycling. A food truck will be present.
“Lyd” film screening and discussion with co-director Rami Younis—5-7 p.m., Native American Forum (BSS 162)
“Lyd” is a speculative documentary that follows the rise and fall of Lyd—a 5,000-year-old metropolis that was once a bustling Palestinian town.
Earth Week Dungeons and Dragons—5-10 p.m., Jolly Giant Commons Recreation Room (First Floor)
A tabletop RPG (Dungeons and Dragons) focused on themes of sustainability and environmental justice. Players will build their own characters based on stats like strength, intelligence, and dexterity and form a party to partake in an eco-activist adventure fighting against human corruption that continuously exploits nature as a commodity.
Real Food Trivia—6:30-8:30 p.m., CCAT (Buck House)
Real Food Challenge will host a sustainable food systems trivia event. During the event, students will participate in a series of trivia rounds, answering questions related to sustainable farming practices, food waste reduction, ethical food production, and the impact of food choices on the planet. Students can earn points for correct answers during the trivia game. At the end, everyone will be entered into a raffle, with each correct answer providing an extra entry to increase their chances of winning.
Wednesday, April 23
Spring Maker's Market—11 a.m.-3 p.m., University Quad
Spring Maker’s Market 2025! Supporting all our Cal Poly Humboldt artists, crafters, and creators with an on-campus craft market. Students, staff, and faculty have the opportunity to sell their handmade goods to the campus community.
Fibersheds and Spindle Spinning Workshop—Noon- 2 p.m., Humboldt Scholars Lab, Library 302
Learn how to spin yarn on a drop spindle. The workshop will cover the basics of what makes yarn, how drop spindles work, and you will spin yarn using natural sheep's wool. All experience levels are welcome. Materials provided.
A.I. & Sustainability: Panel & Discussion—3-4:30 p.m., Green & Gold Room, Founders Hall 166
Do AI’s negative impacts on the environment and society outweigh its utility? Or is there a way to generate and use AI in a more responsible and less harmful way? What is our institution’s responsibility? Join us for this timely discussion. Light refreshments.
Sustaina-Ball—7-9 p.m., Goodwin Forum, Nelson Hall East 102
Dance the night away at Cal Poly Humboldt's first Sustaina-Ball! Sustaina-Ball is a sustainable and zero-waste school dance! There will also be FREE food, beverages, and admission to the dance. RSVP now!
Thursday, April 24
Campus Tree Tour—1-2 p.m., Meet at the University Quad (near the Depot)
Take a walk with a Campus Grounds Professional and learn something new about Cal Poly Humboldt's beautiful and awe-inspiring trees. The tour will last for about an hour, visiting trees of interest and learning about Humboldt’s fantastic campus.
Sustainability Mixer—5-7 p.m., Septentrio Winery (650 6th Street, Arcata)
The third annual Sustainability Mixer is an informal networking event for Cal Poly Humboldt students, staff, faculty, and selected community partners. Join us to celebrate sustainability achievements, make connections, and discuss future opportunities. The Sustainability Champion Award Winners will be announced midway through the event. All guests will receive a free drink ticket and light food.
Friday, April 25
Hiller Park Cleanup and Picnic—11 a.m.-1 p.m., Hiller Park (795 Hiller Road, McKinleyville)
Clean up litter at Hiller Park to prevent trash from entering our water streams and the ocean. This event was proposed and planned by a fourth and fifth grade class, who invite you to make a difference in the community.
Islands of Coherence Group Meditation—Noon- 1 p.m., Redwood Bowl
Join us for an afternoon or part of an afternoon to rest and restore, to be in a field of peace and coherence together.
Global Water Dances—7 p.m., Studio Theatre, Theatre Arts 115
Global Water Dances is a biannual multinational event that unites choreographers from across the globe to create original works inspired by local water sources, fostering a unique connection between performers and audiences worldwide. This year's showing, put on by the Dance Program and directed by Kyleigh Brine, will feature new works by faculty and students exploring Humboldt's water systems.
Saturday, April 26
CCAT Spring Celebration—Noon- 5 p.m., CCAT Garden (Buck House)
CCAT will be hosting sustainability-themed peer workshops. In between workshops, CCAT will have three student bands playing at the event. Other crafts and activities will be provided, including a raffle for prizes.