The University of Michigan will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Earthfest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 30 with a gathering on the Diag that highlights care for people, place and planet. 

As part of U-M’s inaugural Climate Week, the event invites students, faculty, staff and community members to explore sustainability, connect with campus and local partners and take meaningful action.

Organized by the Office of Campus Sustainability, with support from the School for Environment and Sustainability, Student Life Sustainability, the Graham Sustainability Institute, Athletics, MDining, and Custodial & Grounds Services, Earthfest has grown over three decades into a signature campus event showcasing the breadth of sustainability at U-M and beyond.

“Earthfest has been a place for students, faculty and staff to celebrate sustainability for three decades,” said Shana Weber, associate vice president for campus sustainability. “This milestone honors where we’ve been while also providing an opportunity to carry that same energy forward into the bold sustainability work ahead.”

This year’s events will feature a variety of activities, including:

• A chef demo by MDining featuring campus-grown and locally sourced ingredients.
• Animal ambassador visits from the Leslie Science & Nature Center.
• Free bike repair and commuting advice from Common Cycle.
• Student Life Sustainability activities, including free screen printing and grad cord-making.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the university’s effort to establish Scope 3 (indirect) emissions goals and continued study areas including travel, food, construction materials and purchasing by the end of the calendar year. 

Individuals can also learn about the launch of Maize Rays, which will be one of  largest on-campus solar power installations in North America upon completion, directly supporting the university’s goal of achieving net-zero purchased electricity emissions by 2027, and providing a community benefit by supporting local solar installations in the city of Ann Arbor.

Additional engagement will include tree and pollinator plantings with Custodial and Grounds Services, wellness breaks led by MHealthy, and a Free Store donation station to collect items for reuse. 

Community members can also take home giveaways such as succulents from Matthaei Botanical Gardens, produce from the Campus Farm, herb seed packs, and apples from Lesser Farms, a local orchard.

A total of 47 groups including student organizations, university initiatives and local nonprofits will host information tables, offering resources and ways to get involved. 

Earthfest highlights how U-M is embedding sustainability into daily life while advancing bold climate and sustainability goals through research, operations and community partnerships. As part of Climate Week, the event highlights U-M’s tradition as a living laboratory — testing solutions on campus and sharing what works with the world.