Posted 11:03 a.m. Thursday, April 17, 2025
Check out the ways UWL is sustainable all year, plus find ways to celebrate Earth Week
Earth Day falls on Tuesday, April 22. Find plenty of ways to join in Earth Day festivities at UWL and in the wider La Crosse community below.
On the UWL campus, sustainability isn’t just a one-day celebration. All year long students, faculty, and staff demonstrate new ways that they are invested in protecting the planet and leading sustainable lives.
Here are just a few ways UWL people make a difference all year long:
Green Fund impact
Since 2008, the student seg-fee funded Green Fund has invested over $1.5 million in campus sustainability initiatives.
Award-winning waste reduction
UWL earned the 2024 Recycling Excellence Award from the Wisconsin DNR for the innovative “Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Dumpster Diversion” program in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region — which kept furniture and waste out of landfills during move-out. Learn more
Reusable dining made easy
The OZZI container program has saved more than 100,000 containers from the landfill — and counting! See how it works
Sustainability leadership
Sustainability Program Manager Andrew Ericson received the 2024 Inspiring Sustainability Award for championing climate action across the community. Read his story
Planet-friendly innovation
Chemistry Professor Robert McGaff was awarded his third U.S. patent for environmentally-conscious research through WiSys. Explore the research
UWL environmental awards
Two UWL people recently earned on-campus environmental awards for their work. Margot Higgins, a teaching professor of environmental studies, received the 2025 Prairie Springs Environmental Excellence Award and Courtney Osmek received the 2025 Prairie Springs Student Excellence award. and Also, see past recipients.
Earth Week events
Watch community calendars for additional events. This list does not include all local Earth Week events.
Arbor Day Celebration at UWL
April 25 | 12:30–2 p.m. | Near the Gazebo by Morris
Event details
Join us for a celebration of Arbor Day at UWL, featuring speakers, refreshments, a tree planting, and the official launch of the Hįnųkwas Tree Trail
Earthapalooza
April 25 | 3–7 p.m.| UWL Student Union
Event details
Now in its 4th year, Earthapalooza is UWL’s flagship Earth Week event hosted by UWL Sustainability—this year featuring the Student Association Vendor Fair!
UWL Marsh Clean-Up
April 26 | 10 a.m.–noon | Lueth Park
Event details
Join Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh and UWL students, faculty, and staff in this annual stewardship effort. Let’s grow this great tradition together!
La Crosse Earth Fair
April 27 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Myrick Park
Event details
Celebrate the Earth with the wider La Crosse community at this fun, family-friendly event!
Campus Thread Fashion Show
April 30 | 5–6:30 p.m. | UWL Student Union
Event details
Join us for a nostalgic fashion journey through the decades—from the Roaring '20s to the ‘90s and beyond—featuring your fellow UWL community members!
Actions
Green Goose Chase
Join the game
A mission-based scavenger hunt for all ages! Download the app, create or join a team (even a team of one!), and complete fun, eco-themed missions for points and prizes. Free to play! Runs from April 17-27
Grow Solar La Crosse County
Learn more
Interested in going solar? This group-buy program, offered by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and local partners, helps property owners go solar at reduced cost by pooling purchasing power.