Green Fund grants have helped enhance the health of Campus Lake ensuring people can continue to enjoy the scenic spot. Photo by Amber Eswani
April 03, 2026
SIU celebrates Earth Month in April with community feed, awards and more
CARBONDALE, Ill. —“Our Power, Our Planet” is the theme as Southern Illinois University Carbondale celebrates Earth Month with a variety of special events in April.
“During Earth Month, SIU and its sustainability office are focusing on community action, innovation and local solutions rather than relying on political shifts,” said Andrew Taylor, sustainability coordinator. “We want to emphasize that individual actions can create lasting change. We’re inviting everyone to be a part of that change, beginning by joining us in our Earth Month activities.”
A community feed, nature walks, a plant symposium and more are planned as the university and community collaborate to mark the month. A popular highlight of the month, the Feeding Our Community event, returns from noon to 2 p.m. on April 15 at the Carbondale Downtown Square Pavilion along Illinois Avenue. All are welcome to attend the free cookout designed to foster community connections and support residents or the region, including unhoused people.
The month culminates with the big Earth Day Celebration at 3 p.m. on April 22, featuring the announcement of the newest Green Fund grant awards. The event takes place in the Student Center Auditorium and all are welcome.
The university has previously awarded almost $3.8 million to a total of 357 unique and diverse sustainability projects designed to foster various goals and initiatives in areas such as energy, water, waste, transportation, food/dining, education and outreach, social equity, research and more. Funded by a student Green Fee of about $10 per semester, the program was adopted in 2009 as the result of a student-led initiative. Students, faculty and staff conceive and execute the Green Fund Grant Program projects and the newest initiatives will learn of their grant awards at the ceremony.
Other awards and presentations will be featured as well, including the Environmental Ambassador Awards, which honor students who volunteer hours toward sustainability efforts. A reception will follow the ceremony.
Other notable activities
SIU and the Carbondale community are sponsoring special activities in April, including:
- Saluki Cares Day, April 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Student Services building, and Faner Plaza and breezeway, featuring activities to enhance the mental health and well-being of students.
- Illinois Indigenous Plant Symposium, April 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Life Science III Auditorium.
- Service-learning project at Glacier’s End in Giant City State Park, April 17, 3-5 p.m.
- Arbor Day campus tree planting, April 22, 9-11 a.m. Volunteers from campus and the community will meet, rain or shine, in parking lot 44 and plant trees on campus.
- A pair of special-items collections is planned with household chemicals being collected April 6 at the Banterra Center, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and medicines, sharps and shreddable paperwork accepted at the Jackson County Health Department, April 25, 8 a.m. to noon.
Find the complete schedule of events online.
There’s still time to submit Earth Month events for the calendar as well. Just complete the online form.
Learn more
Find additional information about SIU sustainability, including the Earth Month complete schedule of events by visiting the Office of Sustainability website, emailing sustainability@siu.edu or calling 618-453-2846.