UW Combined Fund Drive

April 2, 2025

Earth Day 2025: Our Power, 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 Our Power, Our Planet, inviting people around the world to unite behind renewable energy and increase the global generation of clean electricity by 2030. Individuals are encouraged to learn more about and advocate for clean energy, mobilize to create positive pressure to act and share your action plan on social media.  

 At a rally, a cleanup, with your vote, or your wallet, be heard in the way that is most meaningful for you.  

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. 

Join us for a Lunch & Learn that highlights the work of organizations working to support our planet.

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 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 Day is our annual reminder to take care of our planet and protect our environment today and for future generations.  

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

Earth Month Events 

1st Thursday Free Arboretum Walking Tours –  Thursday, April 3, 11:30 a.m.
Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum
2300 Arboretum Drive East, Seattle, 98122 

More: Check out the UW Sustainability Events Calendar. Learn more about sustainability efforts taking place all year. 

Earth Month Clean Up at Magnuson Park – Saturday, April 26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Share your love for Mother Earth and join Puget Soundkeeper for an Earth Month Cleanup on Lake Washington! Friends, family, and furry friends are all welcome; for anyone with accessibility needs, there are benches along the cleanup route, and the path is paved and level. Public bathrooms can be found adjacent to the parking lot, and parking is plenty!

Forterra Fridays at the Duwamish Hill Preserve – Friday, April 18, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

We’re excited to invite you to volunteer with us for a special Earth Month event at Duwamish Hill Preserve, a Tukwila park providing critical wildlife habitat and public trails in the middle of an industrial area. Join us on Friday, April 18th, from 1:00PM to 4:00 PM, to restore essential wildlife habitat by removing Himalayan blackberry that threatens our local native trees shrubs and groundcover. Established native plants benefit local wildlife, improve water quality, and enhance air quality. You will also gain valuable insights into ecological restoration and our innovative approach to land conservation. We’ll start with a walk of the site and Earth Day themed trivia and have restoration professionals on hand to answer questions about plants, restoration, the Green Tukwila Partnership and Forterra.

Farm Steward Volunteer Work Party – Saturday, April 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Spend your Earth Day with us at 21 Acres! Each year, Earth Day volunteers at 21 Acres help build healthy soil, support local food systems, and take vital action for the climate. Join your neighbors in Washington and around the world in giving back to the Earth while connecting with people who share your passion. Work alongside our knowledgeable staff on a variety of seasonal restoration and farm projects. Learn how regenerative farming and strong local food systems are climate solutions. Stick around after the volunteer event for a farm tour and shop at our local foods Farm Market.

Learn More:

Take Action 

  • 52 Ways to Restore Our Earth: For us, every day is Earth Day. If you feel the same, here are 52 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. 

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. Below are a few of the many you can support. 

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

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

EarthShare (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. 

Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (1479396) – ECOSS is a non-profit organization working with Puget Sound neighborhoods towards building an environmentally responsible community. We serve as a voice for the community on issues that encourage a clean environment and urban redevelopment.  

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.  

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

Long Live the Kings (charity code 1482467) – Our mission is to restore wild salmon and steelhead and support sustainable fishing in the Pacific Northwest. We envision a Northwest with a growing human population, a thriving economy, and strong and vibrant salmon runs. 

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.  

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (charity code 0315023): Protects and enhances the waters of Puget Sound through on-the-water volunteer patrols, shoreline cleanups, and enforcement of the Clean Water Act. 

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.