2026 Earth Month @ U-M
Celebrating a legacy of campus sustainability and spurring urgent future action
The University of Michigan is commemorating Earth Month with a series of exciting events across campus. U-M is proud to continue the tradition of sustainability and climate action that took root at U-M in 1970 and has grown into the global phenomenon we call Earth Day.
This year's Earth Month features engaging activities designed to inspire and educate the U-M community about the path to a more sustainable and equitable future. Whether you're passionate about reducing your carbon footprint, spurring the university to carbon neutrality, conserving resources, or simply learning more, there's something for everyone.
April 1 | Free Store and Repair Cafe
Enjoy a sustainable shopping experience at the Planet Blue Student Leader’s FreeStore. This monthly event is your chance to find new-to-you clothing and household goods while reducing consumer waste and encouraging reuse. Help us build a more sustainable campus community. Everything is free!
This event is open to students, faculty and staff.
Planet Blue Student Leaders: planetbluestudentleader@umich.edu
April 1 | Student Sustainability Coalition: Sustainability Coffee Chats
Passionate about sustainability?--water conservation, AI, carbon neutrality, transportation, ANYTHING!--come chat with us, share your passion(s) and interests, all while helping contribute to a more sustainable University of Michigan! Not to mention: enjoy a free cup of coffee roasted and brewed by us!
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged.
Student Sustainability Coalition: sustainability.coalition.core@umich.edu
April 3 (every Friday) | Student Sustainability Coalition: Sustainability Coffee Chats
Passionate about sustainability?--water conservation, AI, carbon neutrality, transportation, ANYTHING!--come chat with us, share your passion(s) and interests, all while helping contribute to a more sustainable University of Michigan! Not to mention: enjoy a free cup of coffee roasted and brewed by us!
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged.
Student Sustainability Coalition: sustainability.coalition.core@umich.edu
April 6-8 | Eat Off Art
Eat Off Art | April 6-8 | Institute for the Humanities, 202 S. Thayer
Eat Off Art, founded by Alexa and Edreys Wajed, is a creative design agency focused on building community based in Buffalo, NY. In a vibrant celebration of National Poetry Month, the dynamic duo behind the art collective Eat Off Art, Edreys and Alexa Wajed, spend three action-packed days immersed in poetry, art, creative expression and social responsibility at the Institute for the Humanities.
April 6, 5-6:30: Chop it Up Conversation
April 7, 10-11:30 am and 1-2 pm: Eat Off Poetry Workshop
April 8, 12:30-2 pm: Creative Writing Brunch Workshop
Please register here.
Insitute for the Humanities
April 7 | Pollinator Talk w/ Dr. Veronica Iriart
Pollinator Talk | April 7 | 2-3pm | 1010 BSB
“A holistic framework to assess the impacts of herbicide pollution on plants and pollinators"
Worldwide pollinator declines are a growing concern amid the scientific community and the public at large. Postdoctoral researcher Vero Iriart will present the findings from her ongoing research project, which aims to assess the effects of novel auxinic herbicide exposure on plants, pollinators, and plant-pollinator interactions. In doing so, we apply a holistic framework by investigating the impact of other relevant biotic factors present in agroecosystems (e.g. herbivores and soil microorganisms) that may also be important for mediating the consequences of herbicide exposure for plants and pollinators.
April 8 | Planet Blue Sustainability Goal Update
Planet Blue Sustainability Goal Update | April 8 | 9-9:45 am | Zoom
Learn from sustainability staff members about the newly updated UM-Ann Arbor’s campus sustainability goals in this virtual Q&A session. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged: https://events.umich.edu/event/146031
LSA Sustainability, Office of Campus Sustainability, Planet Blue Ambassador Program
Contact: pba-information@umich.edu
April 8 | Panel Discussion: How Health Concerns Shape Clean Energy Policy
How Health Concerns Shape Clean Energy Policy: A Panel Discussion Moderated by NY Times Opinion Climate Editor Eliza Barclay | April 8 | 2-3:30 pm | Palmer Commons, Forum Hall
Clean energy is widely framed as a public health win. So why does it often trigger opposition, and how should those conflicts be resolved? Using Michigan as a grounding case, the panel explores what happens when health evidence, local governance, equity concerns and climate goals collide - and what we can do about it to meet urgent climate goals. This timely conversation will be moderated by Eliza Barclay, climate opinion editor at The New York Times, whose work explores how science, climate policy and public trust collide. She will lead a lively discussion with University of Michigan faculty experts in energy systems, public health, equity and governance on how the U.S. can expand clean energy while building trust and protecting community health.
Please register here.
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation
April 9 | Water@Michigan 2026 Symposium
This symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders to examine how water systems and the energy transition are reshaping Michigan, the Great Lakes region, and beyond.
The symposium will highlight the growing connections between water and energy in infrastructure, governance, and community outcomes. Participants will explore how these links can be strengthened to create more resilient, equitable, and sustainable systems.
Through keynotes, workshops, lightning talks, and student posters, attendees will collaborate across disciplines to envision the future of water, energy, and the Great Lakes. Sessions will emphasize how research, practice, and policy can align to address urgent and emerging water challenges.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to see the agenda and register!
April 9 | Pollinator Activities at the Farm Stand
Pollinator Tabling and Activities @ Farm Stand | April 9 | 12-2 p.m. | South Ingalls Mall
The weekly Farm Stand is celebrating pollinators! Learn about the importance of pollinators with fun activities while you shop fresh produce from the campus farm.
April 9 | Disc-Oh No!: Flood on the Dance Floor
Disc-Oh No!: Flood on the Dance Floor | April 9 | 7 pm | Michigan League Underground
An interactive performance from the Sustainability Cultural Organizers. Tickets can be reserved here.
Imagine that you're at a disco awaiting a show from your favorite performer when suddenly, news spreads of a flash flood. The club is on a hill and participants inside are safe, but some of the facilities are impacted and it's unclear when people will be able to leave. The people at the club band together, using the available resources at the club and their creative problem-solving skills to survive. Part escape room and part immersive theater, this event invites participants to engage in a series of absurd artistic challenges to build skills and relationships for resilience in an uncertain climate future. This interactive performance will have three seatings. Reservations are required.
Student Life Sustainability, Co-sponsored by Planet Blue Ambassadors
April 10 | Climate Cafe: Building Community Resilience and Support
A climate café is a safe space where community members come together to pause, connect, and talk about their experiences regarding the environment and climate change. In this small group, participants will bridge gaps between climate emotions and sustainability action in our lives, and learn how to care for ourselves and others. Light refreshments will be provided.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
LSA Sustainability, Planet Blue Ambassador Program, Student Life Sustainability Contact: pba-information@umich.edu
April 10 | Disco-Oh No!: Flood on the Dance Floor
Disc-Oh No!: Flood on the Dance Floor | April 10 | 2pm and 7pm | Michigan League Underground
An interactive performance from the Sustainability Cultural Organizers. Tickets can be reserved here.
Imagine that you're at a disco awaiting a show from your favorite performer when suddenly, news spreads of a flash flood. The club is on a hill and participants inside are safe, but some of the facilities are impacted and it's unclear when people will be able to leave. The people at the club band together, using the available resources at the club and their creative problem-solving skills to survive. Part escape room and part immersive theater, this event invites participants to engage in a series of absurd artistic challenges to build skills and relationships for resilience in an uncertain climate future. This interactive performance will have three seatings. Reservations are required.
Student Life Sustainability, Co-sponsored by Planet Blue Ambassadors
April 11 | Planet Party
Planet Party | April 11 | 12 - 4 pm | Central Campus Diag
Join the party and learn about sustainable innovations, opportunities to get involved, and ways to support sustainable practices! There will be many different organizations and groups tabling with games, educational information, and activities.
This event is free and open to the public.
Hosted by the Sierra Club
April 13 | From Flowers to Finals: Pollinator Craft Day
From Flowers to Finals: Pollinator Craft Day | April 13 | 2:30-4 p.m. | LSA Building Atrium
Craft native wild flowers out of pipecleaners, and learn about how native plant species and pollinators are crucial to our environment! U-M organizations will be tabling to share ways community members can get involved with sustainability initiatives on campus. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged: https://events.umich.edu/event/145931
Planet Blue Ambassador Program LSA Sustainability, Office of Campus Sustainability, Nature Rx, MBGNA, U-M Seed Library
Contact: pba-information@umich.edu
April 15 | Guided Nature Experience
“A Breath of Fresh Air” Guided Nature Experience | April 15 | 4 - 4:45 pm | Ingalls Mall-South
Connect with nature through guided mindfulness exercises that refresh energy and reduce stress. As we explore outside and cultivate a sense of awe and wonder, facilitators will introduce participants to Nature Rx resources.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged.
MHealthy, Nature Rx, Mental Health Counseling & Consultation Services, MBGNA Contact: kstannar@umich.edu
April 15 | Student Sustainability Coalition: Sustainability Coffee Chats
Passionate about sustainability?--water conservation, AI, carbon neutrality, transportation, ANYTHING!--come chat with us, share your passion(s) and interests, all while helping contribute to a more sustainable University of Michigan! Not to mention: enjoy a free cup of coffee roasted and brewed by us!
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged.
Student Sustainability Coalition: sustainability.coalition.core@umich.edu
April 16 | Pollinator Activities at the Farm Stand
Pollinator Tabling and Activities @ Farm Stand | April 16 | 12-2 p.m. | South Ingalls Mall
The weekly Farm Stand is celebrating pollinators! Learn about the importance of pollinators with fun activities while you shop fresh produce from the campus farm.
April 17 | The Michigan Model for Siting Renewable Energy
This symposium will examine how renewable energy siting policy moves from concept to practice, using Michigan’s experience as a case study with national relevance. The event will be emceed by Sarah Mills, director of the University of Michigan’s Center for EmPowering Communities and associate professor of practice at U-M’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
April 21 | The Plastic Detox Documentary Discussion
The Plastic Detox Documentary DIscussion | April 21 | 3 - 4pm | Zoom
“The Plastic Detox” is a new documentary revealing how plastic and health are intertwined, and how people can reduce their exposure to plastics. Join us for a virtual group discussion where we’ll talk about the film, the connection between sustainability and public health, and plastics initiatives on campus.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged
Planet Blue Ambassador Program, Taubman Institute
Contact: pba-information@umich.edu
April 22 | Earth Day at the Arb
Earth Day at the Arb | April 22 | 9:00am-4:00pm | Nichols Arboretum
Take a mindful break this Earth Day at Nichols Arboretum. Step away from your screen, your to-do list, and the rush of the day, and spend a little time outside. Drop in for casual, low-commitment activities designed to help you slow down and reconnect with nature, with creativity, and with each other. Whether you stay for ten minutes or an hour, this is an easy way to mark the day in a way that feels restorative, not rushed.
Free and open to the public!
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
Contact andclark@umich.edu
April 22 | University Careers Closet 10 Year Anniversary
Come enjoy a fun afternoon featuring a renovation reveal, fashion photos, games, DIY activities, birthday cake, and sweet & savory treats. If you’d like, you’re welcome to bring a blazer or professional clothing item to donate and help us “fill a rack” for future students.
RSVP here: https://sessions.studentlife.umich.edu/track/event/session/107759