Each member of The Wolf Pack Family can do their part this Earth Month by taking actions that support the planet. From picking up litter to carpooling to turning off the lights, every move helps.

A slew of events this year will help campus community members celebrate the Earth and work toward campus goals of sustainability and building a green-minded community culture. The University community continues to work together to make “Silver and Blue the New Green,” a strategic goal aiming to establish the Reno-Tahoe region as an epicenter of sustainability, research and education.

Campus community members are encouraged to learn more about the efforts of Sustainable Nevada or join the campus group working to develop green initiatives. University events, listed below and held throughout the next few weeks, emphasize, celebrate and explore sustainability efforts.

Earth Month events

• Plastic film recycling began this year and is drop-off bins are available year- round in the Joe Crowley Student Union, Ross Hall and the Nellor Biomedical Sciences building. Campus community members can recycle plastic films such as grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags and more at various campus drop-off locations. After 2,000 pounds of plastic film material is collected, a partnership with local company Trex will turn the plastic into a plastic bench made from the recycled material.
  
  
• Waste Not, Want Not Competition: Ongoing through April
  Think you can out‑green the Pack Place culinary team? This April, join us for the Waste Not Competition, a month‑long Earth Month challenge where students go head‑to‑head with our back‑of‑house chefs to see who can reduce their food waste the most. Think before you build your plate! The winners will be announced at our Results Day event on Stop Food Waste Day.

• Earth Day Thrift Swap: Monday, April 20, from noon to 3 p.m. at the JCSU Plaza
  Exchange clothes you no longer wear for something new to you. For every item you contribute, you will be able to take something someone else has shared. It’s a fun, sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe while giving clothes a second life.

• Earth Day Farmer’s Market: Wednesday, April 22, from noon to 3 p.m. at the JCSU Plaza
  Environmental-based clubs and organizations will be present to inform campus about ways to help the planet. The event will also include activities and sweet treats.

• Plant-a-thon: Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the roundabout in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union
  The Graduate Students Association will team up with University Facilities to plant flowers in the roundabout in front of the JCSU. Participants can stop by any time during the event to plant flowers. Snacks and water will be provided.
  
  
• Arbor Day Tree Planting in Las Vegas: Friday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the A.D. Guy Knowledge Center Extension Office
  Celebrate Arbor Day at the Extension Botanic Gardens as we plant two bottle trees in the Australian tree collection.
  
  
• Earth Day 2026 Tahoe Getaway Weekend: Friday, April 24 to Saturday, April 25 at the Lake Tahoe campus
  Celebrate Earth Day at the Lake Tahoe Campus by staying overnight in the dorms and participating in activities focused on sustainability, community and environmental awareness. Enjoy hands-on experiences, educational booths and outdoor festivities highlighting our connection to the natural world.
  
  
• Earth Day at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe: Friday, April 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe campus
  Celebrate Earth Day at the Lake Tahoe campus with activities focused on sustainability, community and environmental awareness. Enjoy hands-on experiences, educational booths, food trucks and outdoor festivities highlighting our connection to the natural world. Live music by Jenni Charles and Jesse Dunn of Dead Winter Carpenters.

• Spring into Science: Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Spring is in the air, and so is curiosity. This free, family-friendly event allows participants to explore all three College of Science museums on campus with interactive exhibits on wildlife and conservation, the night sky or earth science, exclusive activities and hands-on experiences for all ages.
  
  
• Stop Food Waste Event: Wednesday, April 29, all day at Pack Place
  Celebrate the annually recognized Stop Food Waste Day as we host a menu that reduces our carbon footprint and announce the winners of our Waste Not Competition.
  
  
• Nevada Esports E-Waste Recycling Extravaganza: Wednesday, April 29, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the Matthewson-IGT Knowledge Center Lawn
  The Nevada Esports Club and Environmental Health & Safety’s Waste Management team, part of the Research & Innovation division, invites students and community members to recycle old electronics, including wires and charging cords, computer mice, keyboards, cell phones, headphones and tablets. Please note that no University-owned technology can be accepted. E-waste can also be dropped off on campus during usual operating hours at the IGT Knowledge Center breezeway information kiosk and the DeLMare Science and Engineering Library Makerspace. 
  
  
• I-80 Highway Clean Up Project: Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to noon
  This rescheduled event, in partnership with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful and Nevada State Assembly member Heather Goulding, will be a community clean-up of the 1-80 freeway from Keystone Avenue to Wells Avenue, near the core of the University’s main campus. More information will follow soon.