WASHINGTON – To kick off Earth Month, the Howard University Department of Environmental Studies hosted the “DC Climate Convergence” in Cramton Auditorium to explore topics such as climate conversations, public health and advocacy. 

“We are all engaged in a collective project of calibrating the cold science of climate change causes and effects with the warm inspirational narratives that lead citizens and institutions into action to effect change,” said Rubin Patterson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Science. “This month of events is ideal for one to learn more about climate justice. I look forward to joining others in a series of endless actions for solving possibly humanity’s greatest challenge of the twenty-first century.” 

The panel event welcomed environmental experts from seven different colleges in the D.C. area, including: 

• Georgetown University; 

• Trinity Washington University; 

• American University; 

• University of District of Columbia; 

• Gallaudet University; 

• Catholic University;  

• George Washington University; and 

• George Mason University. 

Howard University joins the movement to celebrate Earth Day by creating a month of educational and interactive events – Earth Month@Howard. Earth Month@Howard is designed to increase public awareness of the human impacts and solutions to the planet’s problems.  

Earth Month activities will include lectures, films, panel discussions and children’s activities. The month will culminate with campus and community clean-ups and a conservation event at the Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park; curators will provide demonstrations and information about the importance of animal conservation.  

Throughout the month, Howard University faculty, students and staff will receive emails with videos and articles about strategies to save the planet and put minority scientists at the forefront of the movement. Additionally, as a result of a donation by Pepsi Cola, 1,867 reusable shopping bags will be distributed to citizens in underserved communities. 

The Earth Month Team consists of students, faculty and staff from the Graduate School, College of Arts and Sciences, the Early Learning Program, Andrew Rankin Chapel, WHUT, Howard University Students Association, Graduate Student Association and Auxiliary Enterprises. 

Earth Month partners include the Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park, Association of Minority Zoo & Aquarium Professionals (AMZAP), The Federal City Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Pepsi Cola.  

Calendar of Events 

April 8 

Family Friday 

Early Learning Program families will learn proper seed spacing for planting in the garden outdoors at our playground area.  

Hosted by: Early Learning Program (ELP) 

 

April 10 

Sunday Chapel Service 

During service, speakers will provide information about an environmental issue impacting communities of color. 

TIME: 11 a.m. 

LOCATION: Cramton Auditorium 

Hosted by: Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel 

 

April 13 

Wellness Wednesday 

Every Wednesday, there will be a session on how to be mindful of the world and nature present around us, and to carry that awareness into our everyday lives. 

TIME: 12:15-12:45 p.m. 

LOCATION: Main Yard 

Hosted by: Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel 

 

April 17 

Sunday Chapel Service 

During service, speakers will provide information about an environmental issue impacting communities of color. 

TIME: 11 a.m. 

LOCATION: Cramton Auditorium 

Hosted by: Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel 

 

April 20 

WHUT – Explore the Outdoors 

WHUT and the Howard University Early Learning Program (ELP) will partner to facilitate an Explore the Outdoors activity for the students. The goal of the event is to teach early learners about living and non-living things, and how to be responsible citizens of the planet! 

TIME: 10 a.m. 

LOCATION: The Valley (Howard University main campus) 

 

Wellness Wednesday 

Every Wednesday, there will be a session on how to be mindful of the world and nature present around us, and to carry that awareness into our everyday lives. 

TIME: 12:15-12:45 p.m. 

LOCATION: Main Yard 

Hosted by: Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel 

 

April 22 - EARTH DAY 

Campus Clean-up 

The Early Learning Program will lead the effort to clean up the Howard University Campus. Students and faculty will put on their gloves and pick-up trash. 

TIME: Varies 

LOCATION: Main Campus 

Hosted by: Early Learning Program (ELP) 

 

Earth Day Super Event Plant Drive  

Howard University Student Association (HUSA) Sustainability Committee will provide Howard University students with free edible or succulent plants on the Yard. HUSA sustainability goal is to make greenery and nature more accessible to the student population on campus. The goal is to serve 250 students. 

TIME: 3:00-6:00 p.m.  

LOCATION: The Yard  

Hosted by: Howard University Student Association (HUSA) 

Brave Blue World Screening and Panel Discussion  

Along with the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, the Graduate School and Graduate Student Council will host a screen and panel discussion about the documentary “Brave Blue World,” which explores the technologies and innovations that have the potential to solve the world’s water crisis. The film highlights scientific and technological advancements that have been taking place to ensure the world’s population has access to clean water and safe sanitation services and the environment is protected.  

In addition, following the screening, we will engage attendees in a brief panel discussion on awareness of local and international water scarcity concerns, current research initiatives, and what actions they can take to positively impact the access and availability of clean water.  We will encourage donations to provide water tanks for programs like the I Can Fly and Muindi Mbinga Schools. 

TIME: 6:30 p.m. 

LOCATION: L.K. Downing Auditorium 

Hosted by: Graduate School and Graduate Student Council  

Partner: Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Partner:  

 

April 24 

Sunday Chapel Service 

During service, speakers will provide information about an environmental issue impacting communities of color. There will be a special prayer for the Earth and those who help us care for it. 

TIME: 11 a.m. 

LOCATION: Cramton Auditorium 

Hosted by: Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel 

 

April 27 

Wellness Wednesday 

Every Wednesday, there will be a session on how to be mindful of the world and nature present around us, and to carry that awareness into our everyday lives. 

TIME: 12:15-12:45 p.m. 

LOCATION: Main Yard 

Hosted by: Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel 

 

April 30 

Community Clean-Up 

The Howard University Community is being invited to join the Graduate School Student Council and members of the Federal City Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. in cleaning-up the Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue community. 

TIME: 8-9:30 a.m. 

LOCATION: Meeting at Marvin Gaye Park (intersection of Division Avenue and Foote St. NE) 

Hosted by: Graduate School Student Council 

Partner: The Federal City Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. 

 

Conservation Saturday 

Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park curators will provide demonstrations and information about the importance of animal conservation.  

TIME: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

LOCATION: Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park 

Hosted by: Graduate School 

Partner: Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park and Association of Minority Zoo & Aquarium Professionals (AMZAP) www.amzap.org 

 

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About Howard University 

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu. 

Media Contact: Aaliyah Butler; aaliyah.butler@howard.edu