There is still time to participate in campus Earth Month events that promote sustainability, encourage community involvement and increase climate awareness.
Be sure to check the Earth Month Calendar for remaining campus events.
Read more about upcoming activities on campus:
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Recycle your wardrobe at the Earth Month Clothing Swap |
Donate and exchange lightly used clothes and accessories at this year's clothing swap, which will be held at the Latino Cultural Center on Friday, April 17 from noon to 3 p.m.
Cleaning out your closet and refreshing your wardrobe in this way supports recycling's reuse pillar, which aims to keep items in use for as long as possible, rather than discarding them. Doing so reduces the need for new raw materials, lowers manufacturing energy use and cuts down on waste sent to landfills.
Untaken items will be donated to Sparky’s Closet to support UIC students in need.
For more information, email bmccl7@uic.edu or eschmi21@uic.edu.
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Apply now for a fall sustainability internship |
PSPM is offering a for-credit internship program for students interested in sustainability-focused careers. Partnered with the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs and the School of Public Health, the program offers a course each fall and spring. The fall US/PUBH 390 course provides sophomores, juniors and seniors with the opportunity to apply sustainability concepts through project-based internships. Students are placed with UIC departments and units to support campus initiatives while gaining practical experience.
The course will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in
321 Lincoln Hall. Interns will contribute approximately eight hours per week outside of class to their internship assignments.
Although the internship is unpaid, students will receive three academic credit hours for their participation.
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Register for the fall 2026 Freshwater Lab course |
The UIC Freshwater Lab course offers an interdisciplinary approach to local and global water issues, with opportunities for students to meet water leaders, visit key work sites, match with a professional advisor and participate in an internship during its spring cohort.
Students from all majors are welcome to take the course and contribute to a shared water future in ways aligned with their skills and interests.
The course is cross listed as ENGL 452, UPP 452 and PA 452 and will run on Wednesdays from 2 to 4:50 p.m.
For more information, visit the Freshwater Lab website or email
Rachel Havrelock at raheleh@uic.edu.
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Volunteer for the Illinois Medical District Street Cleanup |
The Illinois Medical District is hosting another community clean-up this year on Saturday, April 18.
To participate, please register in advance and arrive at the IMD Welcome Plaza, 1900 W Harrison Street by 10 a.m. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.
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Attend the One Earth Film Festival |
The 15th Annual One Earth Film Festival is coming soon. Tickets are now available for events from April 22 to 27, including the Opening Night presentation of Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope, followed a post-film talkback and reception on Earth Day, April 22.
This year’s festival features nearly two dozen screenings across Chicagoland, including two View & Brew screenings and a closing event for both virtual and
in-person attendees. The program highlights important stories from experts and the community to inspire action and connection.
Most screenings are free with a suggested $10 donation.
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Visit the UIC Plant Research Laboratory |
The UIC Plant Research Laboratory offers self-guided tours of its teaching collections every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. UIC community members are welcome to wander, observe and enjoy the natural space.
Participants are encouraged to make a journal entry about their experience and upload it to the greenhouse’s shared log. For more information, email
Elise RoBison at bison@uic.edu.
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Help improve public transport in Illinois |
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is inviting community members across the state to help improve transit access, equity and mobility across public transit.
In 2025, IDOT developed Next Move Illinois, a successor to the 2018 Illinois Statewide Public Transportation Plan. The plan sets a strategic vision, recommends policy and performance updates, and identifies strategies to improve public transportation within Illinois.
Next Move Illinois is hosting a series of small, interactive virtual focus groups with people who rely on shared transportation for everyday travel. Focus groups are intentionally small to ensure that all participants can share their experiences and perspectives.
Two virtual sessions will be held Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m. and Friday, April 24 at noon.
If interested, please register for a focus group session as soon as possible.
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The Forest Preserve District of Cook County has released a new interactive map of Champion Trees. A champion tree is recognized as the largest or most significant specimen of its species, whether native or nonnative, highlighting the diversity of our natural environment and the vital role these trees play in local ecosystems.
If you believe a tree should be nominated, a Forest Preserve tree inspector will verify its species and dimensions. If the tree qualifies, it will be added to the Champion Tree Register and included on the district’s interactive map. Nominators of certified champion trees will receive a certificate of recognition and be acknowledged in the official record.
Detailed instructions on how to nominate a champion tree can be found on the Cook County Forest Preserves website.
For questions or more information on the Champion Tree Register, contact resourcemanagement.fpcc@cookcountyil.gov.
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Volunteer opportunity: Social media support at Chicago Environmentalists
Chicago Environmentalists is seeking social media support to produce content focused on sustainable living and eco-friendly businesses and organizations in Chicagoland. The role will also help cover environmental issues and highlight events hosted by Chicago Environmentalists. Experience with making video for social media is required.
Please email chicagoenvironmentalists@gmail.com.
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Follow us on social media |
Connect with us via Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to stay updated about sustainability-related events, news, jobs and involvement opportunities.
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Become an EcoVolunteer
EcoVolunteers help eventgoers properly sort waste, set up and run annual events like the Great Stuff Exchange, talk about UIC’s sustainable initiatives and spread the good word at campus events. EcoVolunteers also help plant trees and native plants on campus.
More information can be found on the EcoVolunteer web page
Join EcoReps
EcoReps act as liaisons between their unit/department and Planning, Sustainability and Project Management. Group members attend webinars throughout the year to learn about sustainability issues and how to make their office space and culture more sustainable. They also share information with their organizations about upcoming sustainability events such as the Great Stuff Exchange, Campus Electronic Recycling Events and Earth Day.
You can find out more on the EcoReps web page.
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Learn about the Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy |
The Chancellor's Committee on Sustainability and Energy (CCSE) focuses on implementing CCAP 2024 and achieving the UIC Climate Commitments.
Join a subcommittee!
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