(Above) Regeneration of the living wall in the Agriculture Building was funded by a 2024 Green Fund grant. (Below) Numerous green fund grants have been provided to add water bottle refill stations across campus, helping reduce the use of plastic water bottles to keep them out of landfills. (Photos by Carson VanBuskirk)
April 07, 2025
Join SIU in celebrating Earth Month through varied events, including Green Fund awards
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is celebrating Earth Month in April with a wide variety of special activities, highlighted by the Green Fund Award Ceremony.
The theme of the celebration is “Our Power, Our Planet,” – centered around the people-powered revolution – and the university and its sustainability office, are partnering with the City of Carbondale to sponsor events that focus on sustainability, climate action and community engagement while highlighting the impact collective efforts have on protecting the environment, said Aimee Lemrise, campus sustainability director.
"This year’s Earth Month theme encourages people to unite behind shifting to clean energy, reducing pollution and addressing environmental and social injustices caused by fossil fuel reliance,” Lemrise said. “There are many opportunities in the region to participate in local events like planting trees, participating in a panel discussion about sustainable development goals or supporting a community event.”
Funding future green initiatives
The culmination of the sustainability and “green” festivities at SIU is the Green Fund Grant Award Ceremony at 3 p.m. April 22 at the John C. Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library.
“The Office of Sustainability is thrilled to have 30 Green Fund Grant submissions, including many from students,” Lemrise said. “We invite the campus and community to come celebrate the awardees and the impact these individuals are making on campus with their sustainability initiatives and help us recognize the winners of the Environmental Ambassador Awards, presented to students who volunteer many hours toward sustainability efforts."
Students, faculty and staff devote considerable time and energy to create proposals for diverse sustainability projects. Already, more than $3.6 million in grants has been allocated to 340 projects since the adoption of a student Green Fee of about $10 per semester in 2009. A student-led initiative launched the Green Fund Grant Program, and this spring marks the 22nd round of grant awards.
A reception will be held after the awards ceremony.
Fashion, STEAM, and more planned
A variety of events will spotlight initiatives taking place on campus and throughout the community as well as spurring Salukis and community members to think of ways to become even more sustainable.
The Office of Sustainability and the Office of Student Engagement will sponsor Feeding Our Community from noon to 2 p.m. April 9 at the city pavilion, 121 N. Illinois Ave., and everyone is welcome at the free event. It’s a time for community members to enjoy games, music and lunch as they learn about sustainability initiatives
Everyone is welcome to attend the free dual Salukis Runway Show and STEAMFest Express. Salukis will “trash” the runway on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. for the “Salukis Got Style: Repurpose the Runway” design competition in the Renaissance Room at the Student Center. The goal is for students to, individually or in teams, make a garment using found materials – including such items as plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap, recycled cardboard and other refuse. There will be winners in three prize categories, and the top prize is $750.
The runway show takes place during STEAMFest Express, a student-led symposium from the STEAM Ambassadors that kicks off at 4 p.m. in the Renaissance Room. The event will showcase innovative science, technology, engineering, art, math, geographic and sustainability projects created by students, faculty and staff. Included are Green Fund grant awardees from prior years. It’s a great chance to check out the collaborative, creative and sustainable designs and innovations that will help shape tomorrow. There will also be performances by Whoa Coyote and Pet Mosquito.
Explore the life and work of the legendary late SIU professor, inventor, visionary and architect Buckminster Fuller on April 14 with a pair of events. He designed the geodesic dome, and you can view an art display, “Buckminster Fuller SIU, Our Legacy and Possibility,” at the domed Bucky’s Haven, near Campus Lake, at noon. Then head to the Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library at 5 p.m. for “A Fuller Education,” a discussion of Fuller and his teaching and work.
There will also be a sustainable goals panel discussion at 6 p.m. April 15. Everyone is welcome to gather in the John C. Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library for this brainstorming event that kicks off Earth Week.
The annual Arbor Day tree planting will be 9-11 a.m. April 23 at South Oakland Avenue and Douglas Drive, and there are numerous events planned throughout the community, including guest speakers, a plant sale, the Fourth Annual Family Eco-Festival, the citywide cleanup and much more.
To learn more about SIU sustainability and find the complete Earth Month schedule of events, visit the Office of Sustainability website, email sustainability@siu.edu or call 618-453-2846.