Madison Reporter

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies are set to launch UW–Madison Earth Fest, a new campus-wide celebration of environment and sustainability from April 19-26, 2024. With almost all events being free and open to the public, Earth Fest aims to offer education, inspiration, and motivation through nearly 50 campus events.

In a statement by Jon Foley, the executive director of Project Drawdown, the event is described as a way to engage participants with the world we all share, offering inclusive and holistic ways to learn about the environment. The festival will showcase collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges, building on the university's commitment to stewardship and addressing issues related to natural resources and climate change.

Paul Robbins, dean of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, emphasized the significance of Earth Fest in providing a platform for meaningful discussions and practical solutions. He stated, "The demand for meaningful discussions, for practical solutions, for new learning avenues, it’s bottomless. Earth Fest is the front door to all that."

The event draws historical connections to the establishment of Earth Day at UW–Madison, with Gaylord Nelson, the namesake of the Nelson Institute, being instrumental in its inception. Reflecting on this legacy, Foley highlighted the importance of connecting environmental scholarly work to real-world impact, stating, "Doing great environmental scholarly work, but also making sure it connects to the real world and does some good — that legacy is in the spirit of the Nelson Institute."

Earth Fest will feature a range of events held at various locations across the UW–Madison campus, including the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and the UW Arboretum. The festival's schedule includes a kick-off celebration with Chancellor Mnookin, workshops, campus sustainability tours, zero waste workshops, and a keynote address by Jon Foley.

As a culmination of efforts by student organizations, academic centers, and campus units, Earth Fest aims to serve as a yearly celebration of UW–Madison's dedication to environmental sustainability. It invites students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to participate, learn, and celebrate together in support of a greener future.

For more details and event schedules, interested individuals can visit the Earth Fest website at earthfest.wisc.edu.