Earth Month events around Duke University

• April 2 – Community Work Day at Duke Campus Farm – Come join us in the fields to lose track of time, be outdoors, practice embodied work, and experience profound community with plants, soil, and humans! Hosted by Duke Campus Farm.
• April 3 – Languages of Sustainability Symposium – Hosted by the Duke Department of Romance Studies, the event features keynote speakers Dr. Minna Maijala and Dr. Salla-Riikka Kuusalu of the University of Turku (Finland), who will present “Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Language Education”.
• April 3-6 – Full Frame Documentary Film Festival – An annual international event dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema (including environmental focused documentaries), serving the documentary form and its community by showcasing the contemporary work of established and emerging filmmakers. Hosted by the Duke Center for Documentary Studies.
• April 4-6 – Southeastern Student Sustainability Conference at Duke – (Event is full – join the wait list!) This event brings together students engaged in campus-based climate and sustainability initiatives from around the region, and is meant to facilitate knowledge sharing, connection, and community building as we each seek to address common challenges and opportunities on our campuses. Hosted by the Duke Office of Climate and Sustainability.
• April 4 – Blue Devil Market – Join DSG and DUU for two markets! In the morning, join DSG SAS on BC Plaza for free fresh produce, flowers and tote bags. In the afternoon, head over to Abele Quad to shop from local Durham businesses with DUU! If you are a student vendor interested in participating in the market, register through bit.ly/duuvendor. Hosted by the Duke Student Government.
• April 5 – MBA FoodCon: Reimagining the Food Value Chain – The premier event for MBA students passionate about food, agribusiness, and sustainability. Co-hosted by Duke Fuqua and UNC Kenan-Flagler, the event connects industry leaders and innovators to explore trends, share insights, and drive solutions. 
• April 8 – Energy Transitions & Investment in Emerging Markets: Navigating Shifting Undercurrents – This gathering will offer attendees the opportunity to engage in rapidly developing sectoral discussions, connect with the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project (EAP) student and alumni community, and contribute to shaping EAP’s strategic direction for the next decade. Event partners include the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE) at the Fuqua School of Business; Global Energy Access Network (GLEAN); Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability; and Sanford School of Public Policy.
• April 8 – Innovative Strategies for Addressing Climate-Related Health Challenges – This symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and showcase innovative and important approaches to mitigating and addressing the health impacts of climate change. Hosted by Duke’s Department of Population Health Sciences. Register for the free event.
• April 8 – Energy and Climate Ventures Reception + Talks – This event will convene leading investors and entrepreneurs to discuss their work ahead of Duke’s annual From Billions to Trillions Summit. Hosted by Duke Undergraduate Energy and Climate Club.
• April 9 – From Billions to Trillions Summit  (Registration open to all!) The event will build on the successful 2024 Summit, which convened over 500 attendees and explored how the Inflation Reduction Act could catalyze private climate investment in the United States. Subsequent developments have called into question the durability of that model, and raised questions about the types of investments needed to address climate change and where they will come from. The 2025 summit will update the domestic decarbonization dialogue to reflect these new realities, while also expanding it to include global climate finance challenges and opportunities.
• April 9 – Community Work Day at Duke Campus Farm – Come join us in the fields to lose track of time, be outdoors, practice embodied work, and experience profound community with plants, soil, and humans! Hosted by Duke Campus Farm.
• April 10 – EcoSomatics series at Duke Gardens – Explore different facets of transformation through the lens and practice of ecosomatics in a series of five workshops designed around a central theme that can also be taken as stand-alone classes. Hosted by Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
• April 10 – Duke School of Nursing Planetary Health Fair – No RSVP required; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in DUSON Atrium. Hosted by the Duke School of Nursing.
• April 10 – Enviro-Art Gallery Opening Night – Brown Gallery, 6-8 p.m. A showcase of community art (students, faculty, staff) relating to the environment during Earth Month! Art will hang in the Brown Gallery for the duration of the semester. Hosted by the Duke Undergraduate Environmental Union.
• April 11 – Climate Cafes: Long-term Natural Disaster Recovery and Resilience – Free food! No RSVP required; 10-11 a.m. in CSGD Bryan Center. Hosted by the Duke Office of Climate and Sustainability.
• April 11 – Mushroom Inoculation Work Shop – Come learn how to grow your own shitakes with Dr. Rytas Vilgalys at the Duke Campus Farm at 1 p.m. We’ll be inoculating logs provided by the Duke Forest! Hosted by the Vilgalys Lab.
• April 12 – Nasher Campus Farm Tour – Starting with a tour at the Nasher museum followed by a walk through of the Duke Campus Farm, this collaborative event will explore how humans engage with nature through the mediums of art and agriculture. 10-12 p.m. Sign up here. Hosted by the Nasher Museum of Art and Duke Campus Farm.
• April 14 – Climate Cafes: (Im)Mobility – Free food! No RSVP required; 6-7 p.m. in CSGD Bryan Center. Hosted by the Duke Office of Climate and Sustainability.
• April 14-25 – Spring Plant Sale at Duke Campus Farm – Stop by the farm from 12-4 p.m. to buy seedlings for your spring garden and say hey to farm field crew. This will be an honor system farm stand that takes place throughout the week until seedlings run out. Cash, card and check accepted. See what’s for sale each week on the DCF Instagram (@dukecampusfarm). Hosted by the Duke Campus Farm.
• April 15-17 – Super South | Summit for Climate Innovation Capstone Challenge – Highlighting student-led innovation across the Southeast to promote a sustainable and resilient future. Hosted by Super South in collaboration with Drawdown Georgia Business Compact and Georgia Climate Project.
• April 15 – The Really Free Market & Litter Clean-up – Drop by the Sanford School lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the first annual Really Free Market & Litter Clean-up! Bring items to swap and stick around, if you can, to help us de-litter the Sanford School campus! Hosted by the Sanford School of Public Policy.
• April 16 – Duke Athletics Week of Service: Duke Campus Farm – Come join us in the fields to lose track of time, be outdoors, practice embodied work, and experience profound community with plants, soil, and humans! Absolutely no farming experience is necessary. We have tasks for most ages and abilities.! 10 a.m. – Noon, 706 Gilbert St, Durham, NC. Hosted by Duke Campus Farm and Duke Athletics.
• April 17 – Duke Athletics Week of Service: SEEDS – Farming and gardening involve physical work so please be prepared to move! You may be preparing beds, planting, harvesting, tending vegetables, turning & sifting compost, and cleaning up! 10 a.m. – Noon, 706 Gilbert St, Durham, NC. Hosted by SEEDS and Duke Athletics.
• April 18 – Community Work Day at Duke Campus Farm – Come join us in the fields to lose track of time, be outdoors, practice embodied work, and experience profound community with plants, soil, and humans! Hosted by Duke Campus Farm.
• April 18 – Field Notes – Open to all; 5 p.m. at Duke Forest, Gate C. In this workshop, participants will explore the beauty of the plants, bugs, and surroundings of the Duke Forest, and learn to document their observations in words and sketches. Whether you are a budding bird or bug watcher, seasoned nature lover, or have never given a thought to keeping a nature journal, The Art of Noticing workshop will help you hone skills to become a careful observer to the natural world. Hosted by Duke Arts.
• April 19 – Flora and Fauna Tour at Duke Forest – Join Duke Forest for the annual Flora and Fauna tour, led jointly by Duke Forest Executive Director Sara Childs and Dr. Nicki Cagle from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Tour participants will spend the morning hike along the forested slopes and rocky New Hope Creek banks tucked within the Korstian Division. Come discover some of the many species that call the Duke Forest home, find what’s in bloom, and learn a few plant- and animal-identification how-to’s along the way. Hosted by Duke Forest.
• April 19 – Duke Campus Farm Spring Contra Dance – Grab your dancing shoes (or come barefoot) and join us at the Duke Campus Farm from 5-8 p.m. for a night of food, dancing, and live fiddle music! Whether you want to join in the dancing (no experience required) or stargaze and sip cider, we welcome you to the farm. $5 donation encouraged to help pay the band! Hosted by Duke Campus Farm.
• April 19 – EarthFest – Join us in BC Plaza from 11 a.m – 3 p.m.  for a of celebration for our environment. Groups and offices from all across campus will be represented! Swing by for treats, activities, and music as part of our celebration! Hosted by Duke Undergraduate Environment Union.
• April 21 – Duke School of Nursing Roots and Remedies Book Club – As a ‘prequel’ honoring Earth Day, the Club’s next book selection is “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a distinguished botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. In this deeply moving work, Kimmerer weaves together Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the beauty of storytelling to reimagine our relationship with the natural world.
• April 22-29 – Duke Chapel Green Lighting for Earth Day (Thanks to Duke Facilities Management and Duke Chapel!)
• April 23 – Duke Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Climate Action Day – Recognizing the public health and humanitarian crisis brought about by climate change, the Duke Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology will convene the First Annual Climate Action Day. This inaugural event, which coincides with internationally commemorated Earth Day, is organized by the steering committee of the Duke Climate Action Collaborative to Promote Reproductive Health (CACRH), which aims to elevate the impact of climate change on the reproductive health trajectory and create solutions that improve the lives of the women, families and communities cared for by Duke Health.
• April 24 – Gallery Guide Tour: Earth Day at Nasher Museum – The beauty of our planet has inspired artists for countless generations. Celebrate Earth Day and the spring season with a tour of natural and environmental art. Make reservations at the Nasher Café ahead of time to enjoy dinner before or after the tour! Hosted by the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.
• April 25 – Climate Cafes: End of Year Celebration – Storytelling – Free food! No RSVP required; 10-11 a.m. in CSGD Duke Campus Farm. Hosted by the Duke Office of Climate and Sustainability.
• April 25 – Community Work Day at Duke Campus Farm – Come join us in the fields to lose track of time, be outdoors, practice embodied work, and experience profound community with plants, soil, and humans! Hosted by Duke Campus Farm.
• April 27 – Rooted Responses to Climate Change: a tour workshop at Duke Gardens – Let’s build connections while grounding in the environment in order to develop our personal and collective work in addressing climate change! Hosted by Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
• April 30 – Mindful Mending – Open to all; 5:15 p.m. in the Trent Semans Center for Health Education, 6th Floor. Let’s build connections while grounding in the environment in order to develop our personal and collective work in addressing climate change! Hosted by Duke Arts.

How are you planning to celebrate Earth Month? Tag @sustainableduke on Instagram in a photo by Earth Day. We want to hear from you and invite you to join us!

Have questions or suggestions? Contact climate@duke.edu.

For more information visit the Office of Climate and Sustainability and the Duke Climate Commitment.