Earth Week 2023 - Invest in our Planet by Using your Gifts

This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage from all walks of life to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods.

For Earth Day 2023, we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.

At CSB/SJU, we're taking this Earth Week to give back to our community and share the good news - We are the climate generation! Our actions, large and small, global and local, change our world. We're compiling events from all over campus, from all interests and organizations. Think your group or interest has nothing to do with saving the planet? Think again! Every industry has a role in shaping our planet for generations to come.

We'll be updating the calendar below as Earth Week draws closer. Events listed here should not be considered final until April 1! If you'd like to contribute an event, fill out the interest form!\

All-Week Events

Tabling in Gorecki 10am-2pm

Put sticky notes on the Gorecki wall about your environmental habits, your gifts, and your hopes for the future! Stop by the table to get freebies, join environmental email lists, and win prize baskets of zero-waste swaps.

Library Displays - Clemens and Alcuin Libraries

Look for environmental classics, cli-fi, hopeful solarpunk futures and more in the library displays!

The week after Earth Week, our libraries will be hosting interactive displays from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency!

Online Giveaway  - Sustainability Office @csbsjuSustainability on Instagram!

Repost our giveaway post and tag three friends following the Office for a chance to win an exclusive, online-only gift basket from the Office!

Before Earth Week

Time + Location Event, Sponsor, Description

5:00-7:00 pm - Thursday, April 13

Brother Willie's Pub

Renewable Energy Happy Hour - Environmental Studies Department

Did you know that green energy is one of the fastest-growing sectors, and requires All years and majors are welcome to come network with CSB and SJU alums in renewable energy and other sustainable, green jobs!

Sunday, April 16 - Spirituality, Catholic, and Benedictine Tradition

Time + Location Event, Sponsor, Description

TBD

Laudato Si 101 and Interfaith Environmentalism - Vincent Smiles, ...

Learn about the papal encyclical Laudato Si' on Care for our Common Home. ...

9:00 pm

SJU Abbey Church

Earth Week Mass  - Saint John's Abbey

Enjoy the first mass back from Easter with a homily from Father Nick that features the Catholic and Benedictine faith's commitment to the environment.

Monday, April 17 - Student Focus

Time Event, Sponsor, Description

9:00-2:00 - Monday, April 17

Gorecki Fireside

Tabling in Gorecki: Use your Gifts!  - Sponsored by the Sustainability Office

Write your gifts, your hopes, and your ideas in our vision board on the wall of Gorecki Fireside. Read about inspirational people across disciplines and how they've used their gifts to create the change they want to see in the world.

4:15-5:15 - Monday, April 17

Meet at Sexton Bus Stop

SJU Sustainability Tour - Sustainability Office

Join Sustainability Coordinator Kyle Rauch for a tour of all the sustainable spots on CSB! From our on-campus greenhouse to our LEED-certified buildings, there's plenty to see!

6:00-7:00pm - Monday, April 17

Gorecki 120

Sustainable Fashion with Carol Bruess - Sustainability Office

Did you know that First Lady Carol Bruess is passionate about making fashion environmentally friendly? Join her, the Sustainability Office, and student entrepreneurs Trace Upcycling for a fun workshop on repairing, upcycling, and customizing your clothes. Space is limited.

Tuesday, April 18 - Global Solutions and Justice

Time Event, Sponsor, Description

9:00-2:00 - Tuesday, April 18

Gorecki Fireside

Tabling in Gorecki  - sponsor

Write your gifts, your hopes, and your ideas in our vision board on the wall of Gorecki Fireside. Read about inspirational people across disciplines and how they've used their gifts to create the change they want to see in the world.

6:00-7:00 pm(?) - Tuesday, April 18

Location TBD

Nature Bathing - Spirituality and Social Justice

Enjoy a restful walk through the CSB arboretum in the Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku, or nature bathing. Use all five senses and appreciate the world around you.

7:30-8:45pm - Tuesday, April 18

Episcopal House of Prayer

Book  Group: Intersectional Environmentalist: How To Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People and Planet. - Br. Denys Janiga and Climate Justice Club

Leah Thomas visited our campus two years ago for Earth Week! Since then, she's written a book on being an Intersectional Environmentalist, someone who thinks about systems of oppression as they act for justice. Books are available - Contact [email protected]!

Wednesday, April 19 - Doing the Work, from Forest to Office

Time Event, Sponsor, Description

9:00am-2:00pm - Monday, April 17

Gorecki Fireside

Tabling in Gorecki  - sponsor

Write your gifts, your hopes, and your ideas in our vision board on the wall of Gorecki Fireside. Read about inspirational people across disciplines and how they've used their gifts to create the change they want to see in the world.

1:00-3:00pm - Wednesday, April 19

Meet in at the back of Science Lot #1 behind Alcuin Library at 12:55. 

Workday Wednesday Outdoor U

Join Outdoor U for their weekly public work time in the Arboretum. Workday Wednesdays happen all year and can be RSVP'd for through this link, but RSVP is optional for this event!

7:00-9:00 - Wednesday, April 19

Pellegrene Auditorium

Northern Lights, Starry Skies - ENVR Department, Jessica Heim

Watch the 1-hour long documentary that won Best Minnesota film, followed by a short presentation and Q&A about SJU's lighting situation with Jessica Heim, a cultural astronomer and graduate of CSB+SJU.

Jessica will also be presenting at a Native Skywatchers / Cultural Astronomy event in Pellegrene Auditorium.

See Jessica featured in the movie!

Thursday, April 20 - 

Time Event, Sponsor, Description

2:00-5:00pm - Thursday, April 20

Melancon Greenhouse (entrance on Pengel 1st floor)

Make a Terrarium and Paint the Greenhouse - Kate Cary and the Melancon Greenhouse

To celebrate Earth Week, drop by the greenhouse to either make a mason jar terrarium to bring home, or add your touch to our paintings in the underground greenhouse tunnel, or both!

To join the Plant Science Alliance email list, fill out this form!

2:00pm -3:00pm Thursday, April 20

St. John's Pottery

Pottery Tour - The Saint John's Pottery

All are welcome to join Artist-in-Residence Richard Bresnahan and Associate Director Steven Lemke of the Saint John's Pottery for a tour, followed by the Pottery's customary 3pm afternoon tea at the traditional Japanese irori table. 

Thursday, April 20

Climate Edition - The Record

Look for a special insert and environmentalist stories in the student newspaper this week!

4:15-5:15

Meet at Gorecki Bus Stop

CSB Sustainability Tour - Sustainability Office

Join Sustainability Coordinator Kyle Rauch for a tour of all the sustainable spots on CSB! From our on-campus greenhouse to our LEED-certified buildings, there's plenty to see!

Friday, April 21 - 

Time Event, Sponsor, Description

7:00-9:00 - Friday, April 21

Drag Show -QPLUS

Join QPLUS for a fabulous night of drag! Lip-syncs, dancing, and more!

Saturday, April 22 - EARTH DAY!

Time Event, Sponsor, Description

TBD - Saturday, April 22

Location TBD

Caseless Party - Climate Justice Club, Outdoor Leadership Center, Peer Resource Program

Is Case Day not your day? Come join PRP and CJC for a chill gathering.

Sunday, April 23 -

Time Event, Sponsor, Description

1:00pm-3:00pm

Full Circle Greenhouse

Green Alum Networking Mixer - Full Circle Greenhouse, Sustainability Office, and Institutional Advancement

CSB and SJU have long histories of student involvement for sustainable causes! Meet us at Full Circle Greenhouse, a building that was designed and constructed by student hands 10 years ago. Let's celebrate our great work and create some multigenerational Johnnie/Bennie environmental pride!

10:00am-12:00 noon

Case Day Cleanup CSB and SJU Senates

Come help us clean up St. Joe!

Clubs + Organizations + Individuals: Interested in putting on an event, volunteering to help table,  sponsoring a table day, or sponsoring another event? Email us at [email protected]