Earth Month & Arbor Day events at MSU

This April, Michigan State University joins the planet in celebrating the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. Here's a brief highlight of Earth Month at MSU and major upcoming events.

A worldwide movement, Earth Day mobilizes over a billion people annually towards climate action with participation in more than 193 countries. This month is about getting involved, incorporating sustainable practices into our day-to-day lives, and to help keep Michigan State University Spartan green.  

With this aim, MSU’s leadership, research and innovation efforts towards sustainable goals has been continuously recognized through several national recognition programs, including achieving a Top 25 Impact Ranking with Times Higher Education in 2024. 

Furthermore, the university continues to lead by example as it is the only Big Ten school to appear in the top 50 colleges and universities in Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges: 2024 Edition. MSU has also been rated gold as a Bike Friendly University, and is a committed partner of Bee Campus USA and Tree Campus Higher Education. 

• Red Cedar River Environmental Walking Tour
  • April 5, 2 - 3:30 pm @ Main Library Lobby
    • Take a tour on the banks of the Red Cedar and learn about the environmental history of the river at the heart of MSU’s campus. This 1.2 mile round-trip walk will start at the MSU Main Library and loop from the Kalamazoo Street Bridge to Farm Lane and back, with stops to describe some interesting historical and environmental features of the river.
• Spartan Day of Service
  • April 12, 8 - 2:00 pm @ Minskoff Pavilion
    • Community service is an integral component of the student experience at MSU. Spartan Days of Service is a perfect way for students, groups of friends or organizations to get involved and make an impact in the local community. Projects are open to all students and include transportation, a light breakfast, a bagged lunch and a t-shirt for the day. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved and make a difference!
• The Student Horticulture Association 37th Annual Spring Show and Plant Sale
  • April 12, 9 - 6:00 pm @ Plant and Soil Science Building
    • The Student Horticulture Association 37th Annual Spring Show and Plant Sale will take place April 12-13th! We truly enjoy meeting fellow plant enthusiasts and look forward to sharing our plant knowledge with you all.
• Earth Bash
  • April 12, 12 - 4 pm @ Surplus Store and Recycling Education Center
    • Celebrate all things reduce, reuse, recycle with a day at the campus recycling center and thrift store. Go secondhand shopping, tour the material recovery facility and vermicompost hoophouse, make upcycled crafts, deconstruct electronics to discover more about e-waste, and enjoy some freecycling!
• Arbor Day Tree & Pollinator Garden Planting
  • April 25, 12 - 2 pm Riverbank @ Red Cedar River
    • Infrastructure Planning & Facilities and Landscape Services welcomes you as our guest to support the promise of keeping MSU green for future Spartan generations. Join the MSU Landscapers installing native plant material along the riverbank, creating a new pollinator garden on April 25th, 2025 at 12pm along the banks of the Red Cedar River between Kellogg Ramp and Jenison Field House in lot 67 for the annual Arbor Day planting. 

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with the Surplus Store and Recycling Center:
  • Read the Campus Recycling Guide
  • Check out the Community Reuse Program
  • Use our Public Drop Off
  • Join the Waste Warriors program!
• Check out the Student Organic Farm – Produce can be purchased at the Allen Neighborhood Center or enjoyed at campus dining centers like Brody Hall.
• Turn off the lights, unplug unused electronic devices - it adds up!
• Learn more about the role you can play in protecting our water quality.
• Learn more about Campus Sustainable Transportation – MSU has many sustainable options available to get around campus!
• Read the President's letter surrounding MSU’s climate action.
• Volunteer at the Beal Garden!
• Volunteer in managing stormwater on campus! 

• The MSU Dairy Store debuted a special flavor for Earth Month! - “Think Green Chip”