Earth Month 2026
UNC Charlotte celebrates Earth Month throughout April, leading up to Earth Day on April 22. In 2020, an entire semester, “Earth Semester,” was celebrated to honor the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In 2026, the Office of Sustainability is excited to host more on-campus Earth Month events than ever, including the Earth Day Festival, a Film Series, a Tour Series, and Campus Beautification Day!
For more information about Earth Month, or to suggest an event, email sustainability@charlotte.edu.
For past event examples, see the following announcements: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
EARTH MONTH 2026:
Student Sustainability Summit
Tuesday, March 24, 5:45pm – 7:45pm, EPIC 3222
Join the Student Government Association, the Charlotte Green Initiative, and the Office of Sustainability for the biannual Student Sustainability Summit. This semester’s theme will be food circularity, and we will welcome guests from on and off campus to share their expertise and insights into food reuse on campus and in the Charlotte region. Click here to RSVP.
Earth Month Tour Series
Join the Office of Sustainability and campus partners for a series of campus tours highlighting services that support sustainability efforts. These tours are open to all UNC Charlotte students, staff, and faculty. All tours 12pm – 1pm. Registration is required; please sign up using the forms linked below.
- Botanical Gardens: A walking tour of the outdoor gardens and greenhouses given by expert garden staff! Thursday, March 26. Click here to register.
- Campus Recycling and Waste Management: This walking tour will showcase the recycling and waste management facilities we have at UNC Charlotte. Thursday, April 2. Click here to register.
- Land and Water: This walking tour will go from the student gardens down to Heck Lake, covering various topics like the importance of trees and outdoor space, the challenges of managing our land and water, and more. Thursday, April 9. Click here to register.
- Green Buildings: Find out what makes a building “green” on this tour of EPIC, highlighting its key sustainability features and the importance of building to a green standard. Thursday, April 16. Click here to register.
Earth Day Festival
Tuesday, March 31, 10am – 2pm. Belk Plaza
A celebration of Earth Month featuring on and off-campus organizations focused on environmental stewardship in the Charlotte region.
Swap Til Ya Drop Clothing Swap Shop
Tuesday, March 31 (during Earth Day Festival), 10am – 2pm.
Clothing donation drop off times/dates: February 23 – March 30; Mondays: 12pm – 4pm Student Union lobby near elevators, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 1pm – 3pm Prospector
Freshen your wardrobe with new-to-you clothes! Join the Office of Sustainability for Swap Til Ya Drop Clothing Swap, an opportunity to promote sustainable fashion practices by swapping gently used clothing with fellow students. Bring your gently used clothes to donation areas located near tabling sites!
View donation instructions and details here.
Heat Action Planning in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Panel
Wednesday, April 1, 1pm – 2pm, McEniry Hall 124
Heat season is just around the corner! While hot temperatures might sometimes seem “normal” in the South, extreme heat can have serious health impacts on communities, particularly those that are otherwise vulnerable. Join UNC Charlotte’s Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences with support from the Charlotte Action Research Project (CHARP) to learn how Charlotte and Mecklenburg County will plan for this increase in extreme heat and mitigate its impacts.
Panelists will include:
- Kariena KC Bernesser MPA, EMTP: Emergency Preparedness Health Program Manager, Mecklenburg County Public Health
- Robyn Byers, PhD: Assistant Director, City of Charlotte Office of Sustainability & Resilience
- Dan Glaser-Reich, MPS, AEM: Branch Manager – Planning, Charlotte Mecklenburg Emergency Management
- Kennedy Williams: Environmental Justice Program Manager, CleanAIRE NC
Hech Lake Days
Wednesday, April 1; Tuesday, April 7; Wednesday, April 15; Tuesday, April 21, 2pm – 6pm, Hechenbleikner Lake (9105 University Rd, Charlotte, NC 28223)
Join Venture Outdoor Leadership and Student Involvement for free music, sno cones, giveaways, and canoeing on the Lake! The Office of Sustainability and other sustainability-related student organizations will be joining the event to celebrate Earth Day on April 21.
Earth Month Film Series:
Join the Office of Sustainability and campus partners for film screenings and panel discussions throughout April. The films will focus on various topics, including women’s roles in sustainable infrastructure, environmental ethics, fast fashion, and the future of transportation. All films will be 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Women of Carbon (Thursday, April 2, EPIC G256)
Meet the 21st-century trailblazers leading the charge in decarbonization. This film delves into the minds of women driving economic opportunity and protecting human health through sustainable infrastructure. Guests include:
- Tabitha Stine: General Manager, Energy Solutions and Brand & Marketing, Nucor Corporation – Panelist
- Kyoung Hee Kim: Professor of Architecture at UNC Charlotte – Panelist
- Sidney Beeman, Adjunct Lecturer in Film Studies at UNC Charlotte – Moderator
Women of Carbon is produced by sOlar eye Communications. Learn more about Women of Carbon here. This screening is hosted in partnership with NuCor Corporation.
Life on Wheels: Transportation for a New Urban Century (Thursday, April 9, Klein 104)
This documentary tells the story of a culture on the verge of a revolution that will transform our economy, our environment, and the rhythms of our everyday lives. Guests include:
- Meg Fencil: Director of Engagement and Impact, Sustain Charlotte – Panelist
- Dr. William (Bill) Graves: Professor, Urban/Economic Change, Cluster Development, Sustainable Cities at UNC Charlotte – Panelist
- Sidney Beeman, Adjunct Lecturer in Film Studies at UNC Charlotte – Moderator
The Rights of Nature: A Global Movement (Wednesday, April 15, Klein 104)
Does a river deserve rights? Explore the global movement to grant legal rights to ecosystems. This documentary challenges our traditional views on conservation philosophy and environmental law. Guests include:
- Pedro Monque Lopez: Professor, Philosophy Department at UNC Charlotte – Panelist
- Paula Landerreche Cardillo: Professor, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Women’s & Gender Studies at UNC Charlotte – Panelist
- Justin Evans: Adjunct Lecturer in Film Studies at UNC Charlotte – Moderator
Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy (Thursday, April 23, Klein 104)
This documentary pulls back the curtain on the world’s most powerful brands. This exposé reveals the hidden psychological tactics used to keep us locked in a cycle of endless buying and the true cost of our “fast fashion” habit. Guests include:
- CT Anderson: Founder and Creative Director of Springclean – Panelist
- Jason Newton: Assisting Teaching Professor, Department of History at UNC Charlotte – Panelist
- Justin Evans: Adjunct Lecturer in Film Studies at UNC Charlotte – Moderator
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Gratitude in the Gardens
Friday, April 3rd, 12pm – 2pm, Van Landingham Glen
Join Jennifer Bueno-Hutchens for silent, meditative walks through the Van Landingham Glen. These forest strolls will include meditative prompts around the practice of gratitude. Sessions may include meditative art materials as well. Free for UNC Charlotte Students, faculty and staff (with valid UNC Charlotte ID number).
Registration is required, learn more and register here.
The Hidden Power of Latino-Owned Businesses in the U.S. Economy Growth: Examining the Role of Familism, Family Support, Work Ethic, and Documentation Status in Business Performance, with Access to Capital as a Moderator
Friday, April 3, 1pm, Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City room 803
Behind the remarkable growth of Latino-owned businesses (LOBs) in the United States lies a story of resilience, deeply rooted in cultural values and their intersection with systemic barriers to shape entrepreneurial outcomes. This dissertation examines how cultural values—familism, family support, and work ethic—interact with institutional barriers—documentation status and access to capital—to influence business performance.
The Long and Winding Road (to Work): Commute Time Impacts on Workplace Deviance, Turnover Intent, and Job Satisfaction
Friday, April 3, 2pm, Zoom (click here to register)
This study examines the relationships between commute time, workplace deviance, turnover intention, and job satisfaction, and whether perceived organizational support (POS) buffers these effects. Grounded in the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory (Hobfoll, 1989), the research conceptualizes commuting as a daily environmental demand that depletes employees’ time, energy, and emotional resources.
Got oxygen? Global Warming and Snow’s Increasing Precarity in the US Ski Industry
Friday, April 3, 4pm – 5pm, Fretwell 113
How has climate change impacted the ski industry in the U.S.? Join Dr. Jesse Ritner, Assistant Professor of History at Georgia College and State University, for a talk about his book Snowguns: How Snowmaking, Carbon Emissions, and Cheap Labor Built the U.S. Ski Industry. Dr. Ritner will expand on the central themes of race, class, sex, gender, technology, environmental politics, and justice to understand how skiing, ski communities, and ski economies have evolved on the back of climate adaptation.
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Nature Therapy Walk
Saturday, April 4th, 9am – 12pm, Van Landingham Glen
Join Jennifer Bueno-Hutchens for a relaxing 2.5 to 3-hour stroll through the forest at Van Landingham Glen. Through a series of invitations, you will have an opportunity to focus on being present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community, and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer. Free for UNC Charlotte students, faculty and staff (with a valid UNC Charlotte ID number).
Registration is required, learn more and register here.
Symposium: Interior Ecologies
Monday, April 6, 1pm, Storrs Salon
Interior Ecologies brings together a diverse group of designers, engineers, scientists, and professionals to discuss the potential of regenerative living systems and approaches for transitioning experimental installations into practical, real-world applications.
Graduate Research Symposium
Monday, April 6, 9am – 6pm, Popp Martin Student Union room 340
The Graduate Research Symposium (GRS) is UNC Charlotte’s premier interdisciplinary graduate student-run conference, proudly showcasing the bold, brilliant, and boundary-pushing research of graduate and professional students across all programs.
Campus Beautification Day
Tuesday, April 7, 9am – 2pm (rain date Tuesday, April 14), Check in location at the Silver Line Bus stop called “CRI Deck”
Join the Office of Sustainability for a day beautifying a part of campus! We will be picking up litter and assisting with planting projects. Come ready to get your hands dirty and spend some time making our campus more beautiful!
Registration is required, click here to register.
GIS Essentials – Getting Started
Tuesday, April 7, 11:30am – 1:30pm, McEniry 420
Want to learn GIS without the steep learning curve? This crash course is designed to get you comfortable using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online in a single session—no prior experience required. Hosted by the MPH program during National Public Health Week, this is a hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop focused on the fundamentals you actually need to start using GIS on your own.
Wellbeing Block Party
Wednesday, April 8, 12pm – 3pm, Cauble Quad
The Wellbeing Block Party and Wellness Fair will allow over 1,200 students to engage with various facets of wellbeing through music, games, activities, and giveaways. This event will also raise awareness of the importance of prioritizing wellness (mental, physical, emotional, and social) as the semester and academic year come to a close.
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale
Thursday, April 9 (12pm – 4pm, campus community & members only), Friday, April 10 (9am – 3pm), Saturday, April 11 (9am – 2pm); 9303 Martin Village Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262 (Lot 5)
Stock up on your plant collection for the year at the Botanical Garden’s Spring Plant Sale! Early access sale begins on Thursday, April 9th , for Garden Members and UNC Students/Faculty/Staff. Garden staff will be available to answer questions about the plants for sale.
Gingko Residential Speaker Series: “Climate Change: Media Stories vs. Scientific Evidence. What to Believe?”
Tuesday, April 14, 6pm – 7:30pm, Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St
In this talk, Jack Scheff, Ph.D. will try to cut through the media narratives and give a working atmospheric scientist’s practical perspective on big questions about the changing climate.
Wear, Care, Repair Workshop
Thursday, April 16, 1pm – 3pm, Area 49 Makerspace in Atkins Library
Hosted in partnership with Area 49 Makerspace and the Office of Sustainability, drop by to repair and repurpose your old clothes. Sewing machines, hand sewing materials, buttons, patches, and basic instructions will be provided to help you give new life to your old clothes.
Student Garden Day
Friday, April 17, 9am – 3pm, Student Gardens, Staff Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, Niner Pantry gardens (rain date April 24).
Volunteers will repair, rejuvenate, and plant the volunteer garden areas on campus. Food and refreshments will be provided to volunteers. Volunteers do not have to attend the entire event, but we do encourage you to sign up for a time slot. Registration is required.
Registration is required, register through this form.
Spring Fest at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Garden
Saturday, April 18, 11am – 1:30pm, Van Landingham Glen at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Spring Fest at the Gardens is a free event designed for families to explore the beauty of spring in the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens. This event is hosted by UNC Charlotte students and features a spring scavenger hunt around the gardens, fun nature-related crafts, and face painting. This event is best suited for ages 4 to 10. All materials will be provided.
Climate Change Quilt Workshop
Tuesday, April 21, 11am – 1pm, Area 49 Makerspace, Atkins Library 2nd Floor
Join the Area 49 Makerspace and the Office of Sustainability to make a quilt square representing your relationship to climate change. Your square will be added to a campus Climate Change Quilt and could be displayed on campus during Earth Month 2026 and at future events. No sewing or quilting experience is necessary.
Charlotte Harvest Exchange Market
Wednesday, April 22, 10am – 11:30am, CHHS/COED Plaza (Cauble Quad)
The Charlotte Harvest Exchange, in partnership with the Levine Scholars Program and The Bulb, will be hosting a fresh produce market for all UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff to enjoy. Bring a reusable bag and get your share of produce!
Party for the Planet
Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!), 4pm – 7pm, Belk Plaza
A celebration for the planet! Join student organizations for an evening of fun and various activities centered around environmental sustainability, social and cultural diversity, and health and wellness.
2026 CoAAPalooza
Thursday, April 23, 11am – 2pm, Arts Quad between Robinson, Rowe, and Storrs
Don’t miss the fith annual CoAAPalooza spring arts festival run by students for students! CoAAPalooza gives students within the College of Arts + Architecture the chance to meet peers outside of their departments and see all that CoA+A has to offer. The event will feature food trucks, COAA student organizations, and lawn games.
Undergraduate Research Conference
Friday, April 24, 8:30am – 3pm, Popp Martin Student Union
The Charlotte Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) is a university-wide showcase of research projects completed by undergraduate students of all levels from all colleges and departments in the university.
STEAM Innovation Expo
Sunday, April 26, 12pm – 4pm, UNC Charlotte Main Campus Plaza-Cauble Quad
The UNC Charlotte Center for STEM Education, UNC Charlotte STEM departments, and community stakeholders will facilitate events focused on engaging and interactive STEM learning opportunities. Through hands-on activities, STEM talks, lab tours, nature experiences, exhibits, and performances, the UNC Charlotte STEAM Expo engages a wide range of public audiences while inspiring future generations.
OFF CAMPUS 2026 EARTH MONTH Events:
The Big Spring Clean: Toby Creek at Chancellor Park Dr.
Saturday, March 28, 9am – 12pm, 1100 Chancellor Park Dr Charlotte, NC 28213
The Big Spring Clean, hosted by Mecklenburg County Stormwater Services, takes place on the final day of Creek Week where hundreds of volunteers gather at sites around Mecklenburg County to remove as much litter from our creeks as we can! Parking is available in the Lowes parking lot or at nearby shopping centers.
Learn more and register here. Registration closes March 27th.
Charlotte Earth Day
Saturday, April 11, 10am – 3pm, Independent Picture House (4237 Raleigh St.Charlotte, NC 28213)
Charlotte’s largest annual Earth Day celebration brings together community members to celebrate our environment, engage families with fun educational activities, foster lifelong connections with nature, and connect attendees with environmentally conscious organizations and businesses from the Charlotte area.
NC State Extension Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, April 11th, 9am – 1pm, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Mecklenburg County Center (2415 Lester St, Charlotte 28208)
Shop an array of natives, perennials (sun and shade), annuals (sun and shade), vegetables/herbs, and, NEW THIS YEAR, houseplants! Many plants are grown by Master Gardener Volunteers. In addition, there will be plants from the Mecklenburg Extension Demonstration Garden at Freedom Park.
I ♥ Charlotte: How urban design shapes quality of life, connection and the future of Charlotte
Saturday, April 11, 3:30pm – 4:30pm, Wells Fargo Atrium (325 S Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202)
Meg Fencil, Director of Impact and Engagement at Sustain Charlotte, and Ming-Chun Lee, Director of the Urban Design Program at UNC Charlotte, explore how mobility, density and public space shape quality of life. How do infrastructure choices influence neighborhood vitality and daily experience? And how can intentional design help create a Charlotte that works and feels better for everyone?
How the Cities We Build Shape How We Live featuring Charles Montgomery
Monday, April 13, 5:30pm – 8:30pm, The Dubois Center at Center City
The places we inhabit quietly shape our happiness, health, and sense of belonging—often more than we realize. In this keynote, Charles Montgomery, award-winning author of Happy City and founder of Happy Cities, explores how urban design influences the way we think, feel, and act.
Event tickets are free, but you must reserve a ticket to attend. Learn more here.
Plant it Forward: a TAG Woodland Planting Series
Wednesday, April 15, 9am – 12pm and Tuesday, April 21, 9am – 12pm, Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens (701 Tuckaseegee Road Charlotte, NC 28208)
Get ready to dig in and have some fun! Join the City of Charlotte at the Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens (TAG) for two exciting days of bringing the brand-new woodland garden habitat to life. Whether you’re a seasoned plant pro or just curious to get your hands dirty, this is your chance to jump in!
Mallard Creek Clean Up
Saturday, April 18, 8am, 201 E Mallard Creek Church Rd
Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Stormwater Services at the UNC Charlotte chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers for a clean-up of Mallard Creek! Coffee, juice, fruit, and donuts will be provided. Waders will not be available for this clean up, but if you have your own, you are welcome to bring them.
Clean up supplies are limited, so please reach out to Sierra Vardaoulis at Sierra.Vardaoulis@hdrinc.com to register for the event and for any other questions.
Discover Charlotte with Sustain Charlotte
Saturday, April 18, 10am – 12pm, Little Sugar Creek Greenway (1133 Metropolitan Ave)
Join Sustain Charlotte for a guided bike ride of Uptown’s parks and greenways. You will hear from Gwen Cook, Planner for Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, and then ride at a leisurely pace and stop along the way to learn more about how Charlotte’s on-street bike infrastructure provides people of all ages and abilities with safe access to parks, greenways, public transit, and their daily destinations.
Click here for more information and to register.
Clean the Queen: Charlotte’s Citywide Cleanup & Celebration
Monday, April 20th – Friday, April 24th (litter pick up and panels), Saturday, April 25th (Earth Day celebration), based at the Innovation Barn (932 Seigle Ave. Charlotte, NC 28205)
Clean the Queen is an annual, week-long volunteer event dedicated to making Charlotte cleaner, greener, and more sustainable. Every year, hundreds of residents, businesses, and community groups come together to remove litter, sort materials for reuse, and take action for a circular, waste-free city.
Earth Day Stream Cleanup and Storm Drain Marking
Wednesday, April 22, 10am – 12pm, 715 Charlottetowne Ave, Charlotte, NC , 28204
Celebrate Earth Day with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services by supporting healthy waterways! Stream cleanups involve removing litter from the stream and surrounding areas to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Storm Drain Marking involves driving to a secondary location and gluing a small placard to the storm drain in the area. Volunteers will choose which activity to participate in during the event.
Earth Day TreeWalk at the Green
Thursday, April 23, 5:30pm – 7pm, The Green (425 S Tryon St, Charlotte, North Carolina)
Join TreesCharlotte for an enlightening tree walk led by a TreesCharlotte arborist!
This immersive experience will take you through a diverse collection of trees, where you’ll learn about their unique characteristics, ecological importance, and the vital role they play in our environment. The knowledgeable arborist will guide you through proper tree identification, teach you how to spot signs of tree health or distress, and share valuable insights on sustainable tree care.
Learn more and register here (registration on Wednesday, April 22nd at 4pm).
Treetops & Tombstones: Charlotte’s Supernatural Arboretum
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 9-11 a.m. (rain date April 26), Historic Elmwood Cemetery (enter at 264 North Cedar Street)
Elmwood Cemetery is a center-city gem. But did you know it’s also a certified arboretum? City of Charlotte arborists and the cemeteries manager will lead a walking tour, where you’ll get tips on how to identify trees and discuss the City of Charlotte’s meticulous stewardship of its iconic tree canopy. You’ll also learn about the historical figures buried at this historic cemetery.
Recycle the Runway
Saturday, April 25, 10am – 12:30pm; 12:30pm – 3pm, 6801 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216
A unique fashion show crafted and designed by students attending a Mecklenburg County public or private high school. Students model their amazing designs and creativity with an Avant Garde outfit that is crafted from 85% of recyclable materials. Volunteer to help with the event here.
NC Wildlife Federation Urban Treen Planting
Saturday, April 25, 10am – 12pm, Charlotte (location details provided upon registration)
A total of 95 trees will be planted at two city properties to improve tree canopy coverage. Trees provide shade, reduce ambient heat, create wildlife habitat, and enhance community greenspaces. And you can help plant them!
TreesCharlotte 4th Annual TreeFest
Saturday, April 25, 2pm – 5pm, NoDa Brewing (150 W 32nd Street Charlotte, NC)
TreeFest is back for its fourth year! TreesCharlotte invites you to this FREE, family-friendly celebration packed with trees, art, music, and hands-on fun. Celebrate Earth Month and National Arbor Day with tree-themed crafts, live music, free tree seedlings, arboriculture activities, and an eco-market featuring local, environmentally focused nonprofits and businesses.