Earth Fest events are open to the public unless otherwise stated. Most events are free; some may require a nominal fee or registration. View the event details for more information.
This schedule will be updated as new events are added.
Want to be the first to get Earth Fest updates? Head to your favorite social media platform and follow us: @nelsoninstitute or @sustainuw. Not on social? Check your inbox for periodic updates.
Want to be part of Earth Fest? Submit your event by April 14.
More Fun at Earth Fest HQ
Come visit us at Earth Fest Headquarters, located in the Chazen Museum of Art lobby! From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during Earth Fest, stop by for giveaways, games, and pop-up events including:
- Earth Fest’s Little Free Library: Take an environmental book, share an environmental book
- Ice Cream Giveaway: First 8 students to visit EFHQ on weekdays during Earth Fest will receive a $5 coupon for the Daily Scoop
- Community Art: Contribute to our Earth Fest 2025 banner and help us create yard signs
- Games: Do a guided scavenger hunt through the Chazen
- Art Demo: Watch live chalk art by a member of the Earth Fest team (April 22, rain date April 24)
Monday, April 21, 2025
Design Horizon: Focus on the Forest - A Life-Centered Design Symposium and Showcase
The Design Horizon Symposium and Showcase will feature current MD+I, MIAD, and MSOE student work created in collaboration with Menominee Tribal Enterprises and Massive Change Network, and will feature talks by partners from Menominee Tribal Enterprises and Life-Centered Designer Bruce Mau.
Ecopoetry Workshop
Ecopoet and nonfiction writer Heather Swan will be hosting an ecopoetry writing workshop.
Plants for the Apocalypse III
We will explore the entanglements of plant-human-environment relationships through the lenses of the four horsemen of the apocalypse: death, war, famine, and plague.
Sustainability Consulting Dinner Presentations
Join the Ethical Responsible Business Network sustainability consulting groups for presentations on their semester projects.
Earth Signals
We are exploring tropical Pacific climate through sound. This concert will include both science explanations of tropical Pacific climate and newly composed music inspired by this science topic. This event is part of Elizabeth Maroon's NSF CAREER award.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
UW-Madison Cannabis Conference
The UW-Madison Cannabis Conference is a dynamic, multidisciplinary event aimed at expanding awareness, fostering knowledge exchange, and bridging gaps in cannabis research, education, and policy. [...]
Climate Research Highlights (Virtual)
Join the Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research CPEP Seminar Series for flash talks on climatic research highlights happening at UW–Madison.
Allen Centennial Garden's Plant Give Away, Swap, and Plant Pot Swap
Drop by Allen Centennial for a plant and pot swap. What to bring? An old plant needing a slightly bigger pot. An old plant you'd be willing to swap, share, or divide. Extra old pots you have and are willing to swap. A mug or other container you’d like to turn into a pot like a bowl, or cup.
Sustainability Research Networking Event
Join the Sustainability Research Hub for an Earth Fest Networking Event, where researchers, faculty, and sustainability staff will come together to explore critical challenges. This [...]
Volunteering at the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve
Join students from the Morgridge Center for Public Service and the Actuarial Science Club at UW-Madison to collect litter and clean up a native plant garden.
UW–Madison Renewable Electricity Goals: What Are the Options?
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin has set an ambitious vision for campus environmental sustainability, including achieving 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2048.
Hot, Hot, Hot: Climate Change, Heat, and Health, an Upcoming Hot Topics in Public Health symposium
This symposium will provide an overview of the science behind climate change, heat exposure and health consequences.
Sustainability in the Outdoors
Join experienced leaders from the Hoofer Outing Club for a workshop on ways to be sustainable and conscious in the outdoors. Topics will include Leave No Trace, native plant identification, ethical outdoor brands, and more.
Crossroads of Ideas: Toxins at the Tap - Navigating the Future of PFAS and Our Water Supply
Delve into the world of PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — often referred to as "forever chemicals."
Tales from Planet Earth Presents Planetwalker
Join the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies during Earth Fest for a special screening of Planetwalker, the acclaimed documentary shortlisted for the 2025 Oscars.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Defining Sustainability in Theory and Practice
Join us for a public lecture on architecture and sustainability with architect Tom Bassett-Dilley.
Ecopoetry Open Mic
Environmental Humanities 113 is hosting an eco-poetry open mic. Bring a poem about the natural world that you love or one you wrote yourself.
Medication Take-Back Event
Drop off unused, unwanted, or expired medications for safe, environmentally conscious disposal.
Earth Fest Forum: Climate Courage
Join us for a day of art, action, and stories of resilience as we explore what it means to show up for the planet, each other, and ourselves. Hear from inspiring speakers, experience interactive art, and build emotional resilience for the work ahead.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Eco-Fashion: Plant-Based Dyes
Join design studies students from Textile Design: Print and Dye I & II for an exhibition of naturally dyed textiles and a live indigo dye demonstration.
Global Learning, Green Traveling: Sustainable Study Abroad
Attendees will learn how travel impacts local communities and the environment, and how small changes can significantly reduce global footprints.
Pollinators and Sustainable Gardening
This event highlights the benefits of home gardening for both personal health and local biodiversity.
Bee Hotel and Little Free Library Celebration
Stop by Allen Centennial Garden to see the newly installed solar little free library and bee hotel!
Cultivating Curiosity: A Taste of Wisconsin’s Perennial Crops
Attendees will learn about perennial food crops grown in Wisconsin for food, sustainability, and health.
Medication Take-Back Event
Drop off unused, unwanted, or expired medications for safe, environmentally conscious disposal.
Watts Next? A Student Roundtable on UW–Madison’s Energy Future
The event is hosted by the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability in collaboration with Associated Students of Madison Sustainability, Food Recovery Network, Slow Food, and other student organizations. The event will feature a no-cost dinner and sustainability-focused presentations.
Art Through the Environmental Lens
Art Through the Environmental Lens will be a volunteer-based art class that incorporates local ecological knowledge into the creative process of making art.
Weston Roundtable Lecture: Power, Life and Ecological Maturity
In this Earth Day Lecture, Nate Hagens will offer nine paths for individuals to cultivate resilience during uncertain times, in service of all life on Earth.
Earth Day Trivia Night
The Nelson ambassadors will be hosting trivia in Memorial Union. There will be a variety of trivia categories. Prizes will be awarded to teams who end with the most points.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Friday, April 25, 2025
Free Electronics Drop-Off Event
Join Resource Solutions Corp. for a free electronics drop-off. Phones, laptops, tablets, and hard drives will be accepted for responsible recycling.
How Sustainable and Healthy is Our Food? Global Food Production and Health Poster Session
Learn about where your bananas, coffee, rice, oats, and avocados come from, and how sustainable the farms are that produce them.
Volunteering at the Allen Centennial Garden
Join us at the Allen Centennial Garden to help get the garden ready for spring. Be prepared to work outside and get a little dirty.
New Employee Sustainability Walking Tour
Join your peers on the Sustainability team as they lead a walking tour highlighting projects that are a collaboration between students, the Division of Facilities Planning and Management, and other UW departments to reduce the environmental impact and improve the campus experience.
Earth Field Day
Return to your roots during Earth Field Day, a thrilling community-oriented celebration of our planet! There will be food, music, art, and lots of field day-style games.
Green Cities, Green Students Resource Fair
Utility services like electricity, running water, and sanitation are essential to our daily lives, yet they often go overlooked. Join us for hands-on activities and an informative session that will help you better understand how these services work and how they contribute to advancing sustainability.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Indigenous Natures: Science, Traditional Wisdom, and Poetry
Join the Center for Culture, History and Environment and Mundo Esperanza for discussions on science, traditional wisdom, and poetry.
Restoration Work Party
Activities include cutting brush from remnant and restored areas, removing invasive plants, and burn unit preparation.
Green Offices Go Outside
UW–Madison staff members participating in the Green Office Program are invited to join Office of Sustainability interns and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve for an outdoor restoration event.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Two Wheels, Many Stories: A Graphic Artist’s Journey to Interview Climate Activists Across the U.S.
French artist and author Julia Bourdet is currently writing a graphic novel about her seven-month artistic residency in the United States, during which she crossed the Atlantic on a cargo ship and traveled from New York to San Francisco by bike and train.
Trash Dash — Earth Day Campus Cleanup
The Hoofer Outing Club and WUD Daytime Activities are teaming up for a fun campus cleanup event! The Trash Dash has teams of three compete to collect as much trash as possible in 90 minutes.
Spring Wildflowers of the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve
Celebrate spring with a nature walk in the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve to look for spring ephemeral wildflowers.
Spring Fest
Join us for an afternoon filled with outdoor fun to help us celebrate the beginning of our growing season!
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Monday, April 28, 2025
Sustaining the Sustainers Yoga Flow
Join Colleen Henegan for an hour-long, restorative yoga session to practice reshaping how eco-anxiety manifests in your body and mind.
Urban Planning and Sustainability East Campus Walking Tour
Join the Wisconsin Urban Planning Association and the Office of Sustainability Education and Outreach Team for a sustainability walking tour showcasing sustainability and urban planning initiatives on campus.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Clearer Currents: Rainfall Simulator and Campus Stormwater
Join the Department of Environment, Health, and Safety and Dane County's Ripple Effects for a demonstration of how groundcover can impact stormwater quality.
Civil Rights Activism and Agriculture: A Family That Kept the Land
The scholarship on the Great Migration concentrates on those who left the south, yet millions of African American farmer families stayed. Their voices have been overlooked.
An Invitation to Wonder
Take advantage of an opportunity to view this film anytime during Earth Fest. Embark on a journey into Waubesa Wetlands as Calvin DeWitt, a wetland scientist and Nelson Institute faculty emeritus, shares the knowledge and wisdom he has found from living on the marsh for over 50 years.
Art and Environment Award Exhibit
The Nelson Institute Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE), is pleased to present the “Art and the Environment Award Exhibit,” a juried art exhibition of undergraduate artwork and graduate student proposals that address environment and sustainability concerns.
Spring Roll Challenge
The Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating green transportation choices in Dane County in April. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, and walking/rolling for chances to win exciting weekly and grand prize drawings.
All views expressed by the speakers are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views and opinions of the Nelson Institute, Office of Sustainability, or UW–Madison.