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Celebrating Earth Week 2025 with Action and Purpose
Uniting education, engagement, and environmental action across campus
University News | April 14, 2025
èßäÊÓƵ University is marking Earth Week 2025 with a powerful blend of education, engagement, and environmental action—bringing its Environmental Guiding Principles to life. Throughout the week, students, faculty, and staff will participate in a wide range of events that emphasize sustainability, environmental justice, and community wellness. Through hands-on activities, thought-provoking lectures, and community partnerships, the University reinforces its commitment to fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. 
Earth Week 2025 Events
Compost Champion
All Semester Long
Students are encouraged to join Marlins Go Green and become Compost Champions. Participants learn to turn everyday food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, supporting the campus garden and promoting sustainable waste management.
Buggin’ with Buttons
Tuesday, April 22 | 11 AM – 1 PM | Harbor Grill
Students can create and share buttons with Earth Day designs and Thirst Project messages, highlighting global water equity as a critical environmental justice issue and promoting VWU’s upcoming Walk for Water.
All About Ecotherapy
Tuesday, April 22 | 11 AM – 1 PM | Harbor Grill
In partnership with the Norfolk Public Library, this interactive event explores the connection between mental health and nature. Attendees will learn about ecotherapy practices such as walk-and-talk therapy, animal-assisted interventions, and ecopsychology.
Campus Clean Up
Tuesday, April 22 | 1 PM | Meet at Hofheimer Library
Organized by Wesleyan Engaged, volunteers will help beautify campus by collecting litter, clearing debris, and promoting recycling efforts in campus green spaces.
Community Garden Workday
Tuesday, April 22 | 3 PM | Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
Volunteers get their hands dirty planting, weeding, and harvesting produce in VWU’s Community Garden—strengthening local sustainability and community ties.
Lecture: Climate and Crisis—Preparing Physicians for a Changing Planet
Thursday, April 24 | Noon – 12:50 PM | Brock Commons
Dr. Aaron Hultgren, emergency medicine physician and climate health expert, will discuss the intersection of medicine and climate change. His talk will underscore the importance of preparing healthcare professionals for the environmental challenges of tomorrow.
Walk for Water
Thursday, April 24 | 1:30 – 3:30 PM | University Lawn
Hosted by the Thirst Project at VWU, this event is designed to raise awareness about providing clean water to families in need. Each lap walked represents meaningful support for global water access.
Arbor Day Celebration
Friday, April 25 | 12:45 PM
The ceremony will include remarks from Dr. Scott D. Miller and Heather Gargano from the Virginia Department of Forestry, followed by tree planting and an invasive species removal initiative honoring environmental studies graduates. èßäÊÓƵhas been recognized as a Tree Campus USA.
Bob’s Birthday Bash – Earth Week Corner
Friday, April 25 | 4 – 7 PM | Harbor Grill
As part of the annual campus celebration, Marlins Go Green and other student groups will host eco-friendly games and activities, blending fun and environmental education in an energetic close to Earth Week.
Through each event, èßäÊÓƵreaffirms its environmental mission: to live responsibly within the forested ecosystems that surround its campus, to incorporate sustainability in all institutional practices, and to educate leaders who will shape a more just and resilient planet.
To learn more, please visit VWU’s s Earth Week and Sustainability pages.