April 1, 2026
Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet
Earth Day is an annual global event on April 22 that brings people together to demonstrate support for environmental protection. This year’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet, reflects the shared responsibility we have to care for the world we live in.
First held in 1970, Earth Day now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org, engaging more than one billion people across over 193 countries and making it the largest civic observance in the world.
Join us on April 28, 2026 for a Lunch & Learn highlighting organizations that are working every day to support and protect our planet.
Earth Day is our annual reminder to care for our planet and protect the environment today and for future generations.
Take Action
Celebrate Earth Month by engaging in impactful, eco-friendly activities like planting native trees, volunteering for local cleanup crews, composting food waste, and switching to reusable products. Other ways to make a difference include starting a pollinator garden, shopping secondhand, conserving energy, and hosting clothing swaps.
10 Wa
ys to Celebrate Earth Month:
- Plant Native Trees and Gardens: Plant native trees, shrubs or a pollinator garden to support local biodiversity and provide habitats for wildlife.
- Participate in a Cleanup: Join or organize a cleanup crew to remove litter from local parks, beaches, or neighborhoods.
- Start Composting: Reduce landfill waste by starting a compost bin to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil.
- Swap, Don’t Shop: Organize a clothing or toy swap with friends to encourage recycling and reduce consumption.
- Use Reusable Items: Switch to reusable shopping bags, water bottles and containers to reduce single-use plastic waste.
- Start a Garden or Herb Garden: Grow your own food, even in a small container or indoor windowsill, to reduce your environmental footprint.
- Conserve Energy at Home: Lower your energy load by turning off lights, unplugging electronics, or utilizing natural light.
- Try Eco-Friendly Transportation: Reduce emissions by walking, biking, carpooling or using public transit to work.
- Make Sustainable Food Choices: Try a meatless Monday, eat locally sourced food, or cook a zero-waste meal using leftovers.
- Support Environmental Nonprofits: Donate to or volunteer with local environmental organizations to support conservation efforts.
Check out 50 Ways to Take Action: Make every day is Earth Day. Small actions, taken consistently, create real change. Browse 50 ways to make a difference below, then share your own act of green to inspire our community.
Earth Month Events
Friday, April 17, 2026
Forterra Earth Day Restoration Party – We’re excited to invite you to volunteer with us for a special Earth Month event at Crestview Park,a beloved community gathering space in Tukwila featuring dog play areas, trails, and natural landscapes. Join us from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, to restore essential wildlife habitat by removing Himalayan blackberries that threaten our local native trees, shrubs, and groundcover. Established native plants benefit local wildlife, improve water quality, and enhance air quality.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Earth Day Run Come run or walk one of our many race distances and at the same time you can feel good about supporting the environment. Make sure to stop by our tree hugger station where you can pot a tree to take home or pot one and leave to donate to be planted in Washington. We also will have a Magnuson Park gardener there to answer all questions you may have about native plants and trees. Day of race registration and bib pick up: 9:00 am-10:00 am
Tuesday April 21, 2026
An Evening with Amy Cordalis – Get tickets for an inspiring evening with Amy Bowers Cordalis—a Yurok mother, fisherwoman, attorney, and nationally recognized leader in Indigenous environmental advocacy—whose work centers on advancing sovereignty and protecting cultural and natural resources, including the historic undamming of the Klamath River. A United Nations Champions of the World Laureate, 2024 TIME100 Climate honoree, and author of The Water Remembers (2025), Amy will also have copies of her book available for purchase at the event. This is an evening event from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Earth Day RSO sustainability mixer – Connect with student organizations and peers at this campus-wide sustainability mixer hosted on Red Square. Explore different RSOs, discover ways to get involved, and build community with others passionate about sustainability.
Earth Talks Join Seattle University for the 7th edition of “Earth Talks,” their annual Earth Day celebration showcasing inspirational 5-min talks on “Care for our Common Home” by students, faculty, and staff from across schools and programs at SU. Presentations will cover advocacy, research, and service projects related to environmental justice and sustainability. Join us and support fellow students and colleagues presenting. Presenters and topics to be announced soon at www.seattleu.edu/earth-talks. Doors open at 11:45 am and event concludes at 1:20 pm.
Saturday April 25, 2026
Celebrate Earth Day with the City of Kenmore – 11:00 AM to 3:00 pm – Park Clean Up – Rhododendron Park – 11:00 am-1:00 pm and Earth Day Vendor Fair in Saint Edward State Park – 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Come get your hands dirty and work alongside City staff as they lead a park beautification event. Then, visit the vendor fair to meet organizations focused on sustainable practices and evenroinmenatl stewardship.
Nelson Nature Park – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Volunteer with us by spending 3 hours from 9:00 am – 12 :00 pm at Adriana Hess Wetland Park (Fircrest), one of our habitat stewardship sites. Activities include caring for existing plants and removing invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry and English ivy. This work supports water quality, our local wildlife and pollinators, and sets us up for a great summer!
More: For UW Events, check out the UW Sustainability Events Calendar. To learn more about events in your area, visit the Earth Day 2026 event map.
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.
Supporting a nonprofit in your community or on campus is simple and meaningful. You can make a one-time gift or set up an ongoing payroll deduction through the UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD). Search by charity name or by the type of work they do to find a cause that resonates with you.
Can’t find the organization you’re looking for? We’re here to help! Email us at uwcfd@uw.edu and we’ll reach out to invite them to join the CFD.
Your generosity and engagement make a difference.
