Earth Month 2024
April is Earth Month, a time to raise environmental awareness and create mindfulness around the issues that affect our common home.
Each April, Creighton and the Office of Sustainability Programs host educational, advocacy and service events and activities to raise awareness about our earth's changing climate, offer guidance to help minimize our carbon footprint to prevent further harm to our planet’s natural resources, and address and promote hope in the future through campus engagement.
The annual Earth Day is on April 22, a day to demonstrate support for environmental protection and identify action steps we all can take in our communities. The global theme for Earth Day 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics." At Creighton, we are inspiring action through an understanding of climate resilience, appreciating the true cost of fast fashion and connecting with our natural environment through campus walks, plantings and workdays.
Arbor Day Tree Walks and TreeCampus Ceremony
Tuesday, April 30
12:30 p.m. | Meet at the steps of St. Johns Church
3:30 p.m. | Meet at the steps of St. Johns Church
Join friends and colleagues to learn about the trees that make up Creighton’s Urban Forest. Each walk will cover a different half of campus, so participate in both and experience all the unique trees on Creighton's Omaha campus. The 12:30 p.m. walk will cover campus west of 24th Street, and the 3:30 p.m. walk will cover campus east of 24th Street. Register online.
The walks were planned for April 26, but are reschedule for April 30 due to expected inclement weather.
TreeCampus Ceremony
Following 12:30 p.m. walk | East of Creighton Hall, near 24th Street flags
Immediately following the first Arbor Day Tree Walk, there will be a TreeCampus Higher Education recognition ceremony. Celebrate Arbor Day and Creighton’s certification as a TreeCampus Higher Education institution with the raising of our TreeCampus flag. Register online.
Past Events
Omaha Climate Resiliency Summit
12:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Tuesday, April 2 | Harper Center | Hosted by Conservation Nebraska and Creighton University’s Office of Sustainability Programs, the Omaha Climate Resiliency Summit is Tuesday, April 2, from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Harper Center. It includes breakout sessions on topics such as waste management, infrastructure, energy innovation, water quality, native landscapes and more, with an evening keynote on Omaha’s climate action and resilience plan, and an evening film screening of 2040. The summit is free for students, and $15 to $25 for others. Read more.
Documentary Watch Party: The True Cost
6 to 8 p.m. | Wednesday, April 10 | Skutt Student Center, Room 104 | Experience the hidden truths of the fast fashion industry in the documentary, The True Cost. Uncover the human and environmental injustices caused by the global fashion industry, which produced 2.31 billion tons of GHG emissions in 2018 – 4% of the global total. This eye-opening film invites viewers to rethink their fast fashion choices and become agents of change for a more sustainable future. RSVP is not required.
Earth Month Wellness Walk
Noon to 12:30 p.m. | Thursday, April 11 | Meet in front of St. John's Church | Hosted by Creighton Wellness and the Office of Sustainability Programs, the walk will include a short environmental component and is a great opportunity to learn about sustainability, exercise and spend time with colleagues from across campus. Grab a friend and join the fun. All who complete the walk will earn a chance to win an eco-friendly prize.
Clothing Swap
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Thursday and Friday, April 18-19 | St. John's Church, lower level | Join us in promoting sustainability, reducing textile waste and fostering a sense of community. Students, bring your gently worn garments to the clothing swap. (No heavily damaged or stained items, undergarments, shoes or other accessories beyond repair.) The clothing swap is a fantastic opportunity to exchange pre-loved items for stylish pieces contributed by others. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to refresh your wardrobe in an eco-friendly way.
Tree Planting Opportunities
April 12 and April 16 | Kiewit Fitness Center, lawn and Anderson Plaza, east of the Hixson-Lied Science Building | Aid in promoting species diversity around campus and help expand Creighton’s Urban Forest. Faculty and staff are invited to join Facilities Management and the Office of Sustainability Programs in planting trees around the lawn at the Kiewit Fitness Center and Anderson Plaza, east of the Hixson-Lied Science Building. Help expand Creighton’s Urban Forest by getting your hands dirty and planting three new trees.
Pollinator Garden Workday
10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. | Monday, April 22 | Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden, Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library | On Earth Day, students, faculty and staff invited to learn about the Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden, located on the west side of the Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library, and help get our garden ready for the growing season. Participants are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and pants and avoid wearing white. Each will be invited to participate in weeding and digging in dirt, or cutting stalks or other activities, if preferred. Equipment will be provided. Faculty could consider this opportunity for extra credit, if appropriate, and are invited to bring classes.
Faculty and Staff Campus Sustainability Walk
4 to 5 p.m. | Wednesday, April 24 | Meet in the entryway of CL and Rachel Werner Center for Health Sciences Education | Join the Office of Sustainability Programs for a special campus walk and explore native plantings around campus to better understand Creighton and Omaha’s role in conserving real Nebraska ecosystems. The walk will cover the “Before Creighton” plaque near Opus Hall. Discover native plantings at Graves Hall and the Werner Center and learn about the Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden outside the Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library.
