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Earth Week at VWU: Marlins Turn Passion into Purpose
From service to creative sustainability, a week of events invites the campus community to connect, learn, and give back to the planet
University News | April 14, 2026
From April 21–24, the campus of èßäÊÓƵ University will come alive with activity as students, faculty, and community partners unite for Earth Week—a celebration of sustainability, service, and shared responsibility for the planet.
Inspired by the global movement launched by EARTHDAY.ORG—which organized the very first Earth Day in 1970—this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet™,” calls on individuals everywhere to take meaningful action. At VWU, that call is being answered with a full slate of hands-on events designed to educate, engage, and empower the Marlin community.
Earth Week begins on April 21 with “Plarn Together,” from 10:30 a.m. – noon outside Boyd Dining Center, where students transform plastic bags into reusable yarn for eco-friendly crafts—turning waste into creativity. Later that day, at 2 p.m.,volunteers will step beyond campus for a service-learning experience with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at the Brock Environmental Center, combining environmental stewardship with experiential learning.
On April 22—Earth Day itself—students will test their knowledge of local ecology during “Name That Leaf!” from 10:30 a.m. – noon outside Boyd, and reconnect with nature through an Eco-Walk in Wesleyan Woods at 12:30 p.m., a reminder that sustainability begins with awareness and appreciation of the natural world.
On April 23, programming highlights both action and education. A campus recycling drive from 10:30 a.m. – noon outside Boyd, encourages students to contribute materials for a recycled art contest, while a birdwatching walk at 1 p.m. invites participants to observe native species in their natural habitat. Later, representatives from the City of Norfolk’s Office of Resilience will lead a timely discussion on coastal sustainability and climate adaptation at 2:30 in Greer 255, offering insight into real-world efforts shaping the future of the Hampton Roads region. The day concludes with hands-on service at the Good Samaritan Community Garden at 3:30 p.m., where volunteers will help cultivate both crops and community.
The week culminates on April 24 with the Marlin Earth Day Bash from noon to 4 p.m. outside Greer Environmental Sciences Center, a vibrant gathering on the quad that brings together campus and community through interactive activities, service projects, and educational opportunities. Hosted by Marlins Go Green in partnership with Wesleyan Engaged, the event celebrates VWU’s collective commitment to environmental stewardship. Attendees can also explore their creativity during “Earth-Inspired Expressive Arts,” reflecting on their connection to the planet through artistic expression.
Throughout the week, one message remains clear: caring for the Earth is a shared responsibility—and at VWU, it’s a shared passion.