Earth Month

While Purdue University typically celebrates Earth Day, the celebration has been extended in recent years to last throughout the entire month of April.

The West Lafayette campus community is invited to join Earth Month events and activities to help promote sustainable initiatives. Unless otherwise noted below or on the official event page, registration is not required.

Friday, April 5

Friday Night Lights with Purdue Student Sustainability Council (PSSC): Friday Night Lights is a volunteer program created to reduce energy waste from lights being left on over the weekend across campus. Volunteers will spend an hour going from room to room in the larger and potentially more impactful buildings. Volunteers will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Beering Hall of Liberal Arts (BRNG), room 2280.

Saturday, April 6

Tippecanoe County E-Waste Day: Tippecanoe County residents may bring electronic devices such as TVs, computers, laptops, vacuum cleaners and printers to recycle for no charge. Items with refrigerant such as AC units, refrigerators, dehumidifiers or freezers will NOT be accepted. The event will be held from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds.

Campus Cleanup with Boiler Green Initiative: Volunteers will meet at the Class of 1939 Water Sculpture, also known as the Purdue Mall Fountain, at 1 p.m. Participants will then spread out across campus to help with litter cleanup efforts. Disposable gloves and trash pickers will be provided. The event will be from 1-3 p.m.

Spring Blast: Spring Blast is an annual day of service where Purdue students give back to the local community and help prepare neighboring homes for spring! Registration for Spring Blast is currently full.

Friday, April 12

Lugar Farm Tree Planting with FNR: The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) is working on a restoration project at Lugar Farm and is looking for volunteers to help with the planting of over 1,000 native trees! Learn about the restoration process and how native tress provide valuable ecosystem services. Volunteers will be walking the trails and through the forest and may encounter debris and trip hazards. The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. each day with various time slots available. Snacks will be provided. Registration is required. Be sure to scroll down on the form to register.

Saturday, April 13

Spring Fest: Come by the Sustainability tent for water refills and educational activities! The event will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m all across campus.

Thursday, April 18

Earth Day Fair with Purdue Student Sustainability Council (PSSC): Join Sustainability and PSSC for ecofriendly crafts, games and educational activities to celebrate Earth Day 2024! The event will be held from 1-5 p.m. at Centennial Mall.

Friday, April 19

Martell Forest Tree Planting with FNR: The Department of Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) is working on an oak enrichment planting at Martell Forest and is looking for volunteers to help plant 500 native white oak seedlings under a thinned white pine stand. Discussion on the project will be held while providing instructions on the process. There will be a short but rather steep climb to the top of the hill behind the Wright Forestry Center. Good footwear is highly recommended. The event will be held April 19 from 4:30 to 6:30. We can accommodate up to 20 people. Register today!

Wabash Sampling Blitz: Volunteers will complete a snapshot assessment of water quality throughout the Wabash River and Wildcat Creek watersheds. Volunteers monitor temperature, water cloudiness (turbidity), nutrient levels and bacteria concentrations. Registration is required.

Saturday, April 20

Community Nature Day: Join the Greater Lafayette community to partake in environmental activities and learn about the local ecosystems. Visit more than 20 booths that will be set up, as well as special sessions, games and food. The event will take place at Martell Forest from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Friday, April 26

Purdue Day of Service: The Purdue Day of Service is hosted by the Purdue For Life Foundation and supports the 1869 Tree Planting Master Plan and Sustainability Master Plan. This event will feature tree planting and beautification work at Horticulture Park. Two sessions will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Volunteers will be provided with a T-shirt and all necessary equipment. Registration for the event is required.

Saturday, April 27

De-Trash the Wabash: The community is invited to join efforts to clean up the Wabash River adjacent to campus. The event will be held from 9 a.m.-noon at Tapawingo Park. Registration is required.

War of the Weeds 2024

In addition to the events listed above, NICHES Land Trust is hosting a volunteer effort in April and May called War of the Weeds. The effort focuses on removing garlic mustard, an invasive springtime plant. Registration is required.

Weather Updates and Contacts

Many of the events listed above are weather-dependent. Check the social media channels noted for specific events and @SustainPurdue (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter).

Questions may be directed to sustainability@purdue.edu.