The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Earth Month 2022 is bursting with a full slate of events, discussions and outdoor activities.
The month is divided into themes: Week 1 is Climate Justice and More; Week 2 is Growing Sustainability; Week 3 is Social Justice Week; Week 4 is Earth Week; and Week 5 wraps up with a call to Get Outside!
“Most people, especially students, understand that we face a lot of serious challenges—climate change, social and economic inequality, environmental degradation and war. People often feel overwhelmed, disempowered and even hopeless in the face of such big, global problems. Earth Month is a chance to engage with these issues in an empowering way—to learn about the amazing things people are doing to help their communities and the Earth, to have discussions and build community with like-minded folks and to learn about things you can do,” said Stephanie Spehar, director of the UWO Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations. “I hope people see Earth Month as an opportunity to empower themselves—to find ways they can connect with others and have an impact on issues that matter to them.”
The month kicked off this week with e-waste recycling, a climate justice teach-in and a Think Oshkosh community networking Thursday evening at Becket’s Restaurant.
A trash collection challenge continues all month, with a goal of 500 pieces collected between the three UWO campuses. More information is available at litterati.org/how-it-works.
Week 2 features a presentation April 7 about two community groups that come together to grow and share indigenous foods and seeds; and a workshop April 8 on heirloom apple tree grafting with the chance to make your own apple tree to take home.
Week 3 includes campus cleanup from 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 11; and a talk by Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri Tuesday, April 12 on how maps can be storytellers or factfinders that inform local decisions.
That night, campus will hold the LGBTQIA+ Ally March. Attendees should join at Reeve Ballroom at 5 p.m.
Venice Williams
Insightful speakers
An evening with a New York Times best-selling author Michelle Alexander will include talk about her work breaking silence on racial injustices in the modern legal system. Alexander is author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The conversation will be moderated by Damira Grady, UW Oshkosh associate vice chancellor for inclusive excellence and University diversity officer.
Week 4 includes a keynote discussion by Venice R. Williams, executive director of Alice’s Garden Urban Farm in Milwaukee. The talk takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 at Sage Hall 1214. Williams will speak on citizens serving as stewards of the planet and some of the things to be more aware of when it comes to caring for the earth. Williams says as the health of the planet diminishes, so will human lives. Williams advocates for embracing the earth more lovingly, intentionally and as gentle caretakers moving forward.
The final week, themed Let’s Get Outside!, is capped with an Arbor Day Observance and tree planting on the Oshkosh campus. Weather dependent, the event is tentatively set for Friday, April 27.
Earth Month concludes with a bike tour of Oshkosh between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30.
Learn more:
- The full lineup of Earth Month events is available here.
- Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations