Earth Day is April 22, and the med center will celebrate all month long. This month’s theme is “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Strengthening Connections.” It will highlight the link between human and environmental health, and the importance of strengthening connections with one another for mutual well-being.
Check out this list of Earth Month events, including the med center’s annual electronic waste and document shredding event. UNMC faculty, staff and students are invited to participate.
Personal electronic waste and document shredding event
Tuesday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, April 30, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. | UNMC Grounds Building (Annex 23)
Have unneeded electronics, batteries, bikes or paper documents laying around? Attend the med center’s annual recycling event. This year, in addition to accepting e-waste and old media, the UNMC Office of Sustainability will partner with the Community Bike Project of Omaha to collect damaged or unused bikes, which the organization will fix and donate back to the community. Sign up to be a volunteer for the e-waste event. For more details, including what will (or won’t) be accepted, visit this webpage.
Kelly Johnson webinar
Tuesday, April 1, 2 p.m. | Online
Kelly Johnson, director of systems/energy engineering services at the med center, will speak about capital projects supporting sustainability.
Farrah Grant presentation
Monday, April 21, noon to 1 p.m. | Sorrell Center, room 2014, or online
The LiveGreen Employee Resource Group will host Farrah Grant, an instructor from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, who will present on the concept of “climate hope.” Climate hope is the belief that, despite the daunting realities of climate change, solutions exist, and progress is possible.
Campus cleanup
Thursday, April 24, noon to 1 p.m. | 42nd and Emile streets
Help pick up trash around campus over lunchtime with the Blue Bucket Project. Volunteers should meet at the intersection of 42nd and Emile streets near the stethoscope sculpture. RSVP by filling out this form.
Arbor Day tree planting ceremony
Friday, April 25, noon to 1 p.m. | Green space by the Sorrell Center
Join the UNMC Office of Sustainability, HEAL student organization and the LiveGreen Employee Resource Group in the bi-annual tree planting event, which will include games, donuts and coffee. Graham Herbst, community forestry specialist for the Nebraska Forest Service, will present on the benefits of trees for community resilience and health. Click here to submit an idea to name the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) being planted this year. Inclement weather backup date is May 2, noon to 1 p.m.
Health care eco-challenge
All month | Online
Join the OneHealthcare EcoChallenge to take sustainable action directly related to health care and health topics. Click here to join the med center team and earn points. Top-scoring participants will be recognized and receive a local gift card at the end of the month.
Check out the Earth Month 2025 webpage for more events around the community.