Celebrating Earth Month

April is Earth Month, and the University of Delaware community will celebrate our planet and demonstrate UD's commitment to sustainability with events throughout the month.

Watch a documentary about sea-level rise

The Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) will host two separate community showings of the film Salted Earth, about the regional impact of seawater intrusion, the movement of saltwater inland to freshwater areas, due to sea-level rise. In the documentary Salted Earth, UD researchers shed light on the seawater intrusion occurring along the Mid-Atlantic coast. They show what's at stake through the eyes of local residents including Lenape Indian Tribe Chief Dennis Coker and provide insight into their team's research to mitigate the effects.

The 20-minute film was co-produced by Canadian filmmaker Ben Hemmings and journalist Joseph Coppolino with Jon Cox, associate professor of art and design at UD.

When/Where: April 17 at Signatures at Bayside, 12021 North Haven, Drive, Selbyville, DE and April 24 at the Lewes Library, 111 Adams Avenue, Lewes, DE

Celebrate Earth Day at UD

Join UD's Climate Change Hub, Office of Sustainability, and Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) for an event-filled afternoon on Friday, April 19. Get involved and make a difference! There will be music, a raffle, UDairy ice cream, a clothing swap, and more. Visit a table at the Involvement Fair on the Green or take a tour of climate and sustainability projects on campus.

When: April 19, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Where: North Green (Rain location is Trabant University Center)

Be fashionably sustainable

The UD Climate Fellows are working with UD's Climate Change Hub to organize an Earth Month Clothing Swap in coordination with Phoenix Used Clothing, a Delaware-based textile and household goods recycling and reuse business. UD community members can donate professional and casual clothing, accessories, and shoes at locations throughout campus; donation boxes will be available from March 19 until April 12. Attend UD's Earth Day event on April 19 to pick up something new.

When: Drop off donations until April 12. Pick out something new (to you) on April 19 at the Earth Day event (noted above)

Where: Donation boxes are located in Robinson Hall, Pearson Hall, Graham Hall, Morris Library, Alison Hall West, DuPont Hall, STAR Health Sciences Complex Atrium, Worrilow Hall, Townsend Hall, Brown Lab and ISE Lab.

Explore student environmental research

The Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) will host the DENIN Student Research Symposium featuring undergraduate and graduate student research on the environment, both locally and globally. While registration to present is now closed, registration for attendance is still available online.

When: April 9, 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Clayton Hall

Learn about sustainability and climate change from UD and industry experts

The University of Delaware's Office of Sustainability will host the annual Symposium and Teach-In on Sustainability and Climate Change featuring panel discussions about the natural environment and the built environment. Speakers include Doug Tallamy, UD professor and chair for entomology and wildlife ecology and author of Bringing Nature Home; Collin O'Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation; Alan Horowitz, Vice President of Sustainability for Aramark Corporation; Nora Lucas, UD master's student in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment; Sarita Sen, UD Architect and Sustainable Design Facilitator; Drew Slater, Executive Director for Energize Delaware; Jamie Kegerise, member of the Newark Cohousing organization; and Bradie Crandall, UD doctoral candidate and advisor to the Office of Sustainability. Educational exhibitors include Aramark, New Castle County Sustainability, Newark Cohousing, Energize Delaware, Resilient and Sustainable Communities League, Newark Interfaith Green Team and UD Climate Change Hub. Registration is available online.

When: April 16, 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Trabant University Center, Multipurpose Room C

Attend UD's annual Ag Day

Ag Day is a decades-old University of Delaware tradition, drawing thousands to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources each April. Community members enjoy more than 50 attractions, demonstrations, exhibits and educational activities designed to showcase the wide world of agriculture and natural resources. Ag Day includes live performances, plant sales, a diverse food court and a range of experiences for every age.

When: April 27

Where: Townsend Hall, 531 South College Avenue, Newark

Nominate someone for a Green Hen Award

UD's Office of Sustainability is seeking nominations for its fourth annual Green Hen Awards - which come with both formal recognition and a financial award - to be given to an outstanding student, faculty and staff member for contributions to the University's campus and community sustainability efforts. Winners will be announced in late spring 2024.

When: Applications are currently being accepted until April 30, and winners will be announced in late spring 2024

Where: Nominations are being accepted online.

Help with the City of Love Garden project

Delaware Sea Grant and the City of Love Church are working together to create a garden shed, raised beds and a rain barrel (catchment) system. To take part, learn more and register,complete the online volunteer sign-up form for one or more days.

When: Tuesdays from March 5 to May 7, 12-4 p.m.

Where: City of Love Church, 226 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE

Join Blue Hen alumni at local clean-ups

Blue Hens in the region are invited to attend Earth Day clean-up events in Baltimore and Philadelphia. Clean up litter, plant trees, tidy up gardens and then join friends for fun and festivities in the park.

When: April 20 (Baltimore), April 21 (Philadelphia)

Where: Patterson Park (April 20), Fairmount Park (April 21)