March 27, 2023

Earth Day 2023: Invest in our planet

Earth Day is an annual global event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

This year’s Earth Day theme is Invest in our Planet, highlighting the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues by calling on both businesses and individuals to contribute to a more prosperous and equitable future through collective action for change.

At a rally, a cleanup, with your vote, or your wallet, be heard however you are able

First held in 1970, Earth Day now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org, involving over a billion people from more than 193 countries – making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Sierra Club has some creative suggestions for how to engage: 10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Month

In December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, whose mission is to to protect human health and the environment – today and every day.

Soon after, several important pieces of environmental legislation were passed, among them the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. Prior to these legislative acts, there were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. 

Earth Month Events

1st Thursday Free Arboretum Walking Tours
Thursday, April 6, 11:30 a.m.
Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum
2300 Arboretum Drive East, Seattle, 98122

More: UW Sustainability Events Calendar

UW Sustainability Earth Day Fairs
UW Sustainability is hosting two 2023 Earth Day fairs: April 14 in the Ethnic Cultural Center, and April 19 in the HUB, both from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. These events will feature departments, student organizations and other groups highlighting their sustainability work and information on how you can get involved.

Earth Day Cleanup: Mountain Loop Highway
Saturday, April 22, 11:00 a.m.
Show Mother Nature a little love this Earth Day! Join us for a Roadside Clean Up on the Mountain Loop Highway on . We’ll meet at 11am at the Old Robe Canyon Trailhead — where the Mountain Loop Highway intersects 278th Dr. NE and Green Mountain Road. We’ll gather for a morning of community service and environmental stewardship as we work together to clean up litter along this scenic stretch of road.

Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center Open House
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Meet with our Conservation, Agriculture, Education & Native Plant Nursery experts. We’ll be offering a delicious lunch created especially for you by Chef Seth Fernald, featuring Oxbow-grown produce and other locally sourced ingredients. We will also have free popcorn, infused water, and live music from local bands.

Learn More

• UW Sustainability Action Plan: Read through what UW is doing to be more sustainable.
• Earth Day Quizzes: How much do you know about our planet?
• Dig into Earth Month: Urban Gardening
• Birding in the Pacific Northwest
• Getting Your Vitamin N (for Nature) Responsibly
• #RecreateResponsibly: Safely plan your next trip to one of Washington’s many national parks.

Take Action

• 51 Ways to Restore Our Earth: For us, every day is Earth Day. If you feel the same, here are 51 actions and tips to make a difference, every day of the year.
• Greener Living: EPA has tools to help you learn and understand the issues and help you reduce your environmental footprint.
• Reduce, reduce and recycle properly: Check out UW Facilities disposal guide.
• Bring Nature Into Your Mindfulness Practice with Forest Bathing: Consider taking your mindfulness practice outside and incorporating ‘Forest Bathing’ into your routine.
• How to reduce your carbon footprint 

Support

Consider making a one-time contribution or setting up payroll deduction to one of our CFD member organizations working on environmental conservation and sustainability education:

Zero Waste Washington (charity code 0315047) drives policy change for a healthy and waste-free world. We envision a just, equitable, and sustainable future where we all produce, consume, and reuse responsibly.

Join Conservation Northwest in connecting habitat, protecting wildlands, and restoring wildlife (charity code 0320835).

Outdoors For All (charity code 0320849) enriches the lives of individuals with disabilities and families and helps them to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. 

Carbon Washington Foundation (charity code 1482524): Focused on accelerating the transition to a vibrant clean-energy economy. Advocates for carbon reduction policies.  

Carbonfund.org Foundation (charity code 1481702): Prioritizes climate change education, carbon offsets and reductions, and public outreach. 

Friends Of The Earth (charity code 0314972): Promotes clean and sustainable energy, clean transportation, climate justice for poor and vulnerable populations, responsible use of technology and protection of the earth.  

EarthShare Washington (charity code 0316709): EarthShare brings together individuals, workplaces, and communities to protect our planet’s health. We are a network of local and national nonprofits working to improve and preserve the environment here at home and around the world.

Greenpeace (charity code 0314978): Greenpeace’s mission is to expose global environmental problems, and promote solutions for future generations.