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W&L Celebrates Earth Month The campus community will promote sustainability and environmental advocacy with various events throughout the month of April.

By Emily Innes
March 28, 2025

SOC03252025_043-scaled-600x400 W&L Celebrates Earth Month

Washington and Lee University is celebrating Earth Month with campus-wide programs and events throughout April to promote sustainable living and environmental advocacy.

The Office of Sustainability and Energy Education (OSEE) and partners across campus invite W&L community members to take part in several exciting events they have planned.

Curated Reads | April 1-30, Leyburn Library
Throughout April, Leyburn Library will feature books curated by SEAL in celebration of Earth Month. Check out the display near the circulation desk or view the collection digitally here.

Climate Communications Workshop | April 1, 6-7:30 p.m., Leyburn Library 223
The W&L Climate Alliance student organization is hosting a climate communications workshop where participants can craft and share their personal climate stories. The workshop, which is open to the campus community, will provide guidance on connecting personal experiences to climate concerns, with exercises and a supportive space for practice and peer feedback. The goal is to help participants develop compelling climate testimonials, which they can use as they choose, including a press release to local newspapers and the fall edition of the Experience Exchange.

PowerDown Challenge | April 3-10
OSEE is hosting its annual PowerDown Challenge April 3-10, with the first energy conservation competition between the upper division residents in the Village and the second competition between first-year residents in Gaines Hall and Graham-Lees Hall. Real-time leaderboard information will be available for both competitions on W&L’s energy dashboard: https://go.wlu.edu/PowerTrip.

Lunch & Learn with Leah Green | April 7, 12-1 p.m., Watson Galleries
Leah Green, assistant professor of English at W&L, will deliver a lecture titled “Excluded From the Garden” as part of the Museums at W&L’s “Lunch and Learn” series. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited, and registration is required: https://tiny.cc/excluded-garden.

Compost Crash Course | April 7, 1:30-3 p.m., Campus Garden
Join OSEE at the Campus Garden on April 7 to learn all about compost. Participants will tour the university’s on-site compost system and share information about home composting. There will also be a chance for participants to get their hands dirty in the campus garden using homemade W&L compost. RSVP directly to Nicole Poulin, manager of the campus garden and compost programs at npoulin@wlu.edu. Directions and transportation options will be provided following RSVP.

Make Way for Spring with Friends of Woods Creek! | April 8, 1-4 p.m., Leyburn Library
Join OSEE and volunteers from the Friends of Woods Creek near the Outdoor Classroom behind Leyburn Library for an afternoon of removing invasive Autumn Olive shrubs and making space for beneficial plants to thrive. Invasive plant species can spread aggressively, crowding out other plants that play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, including feeding local wildlife. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended for this event, and a limited supply of garden gloves will be available. Contact Jane Stewart, director of sustainability, with questions: jcstewart@wlu.edu.

The W&L Sustainability Sampler | April 9, 2-4:30 p.m., Science Center Great Hall
Curious about sustainability on and around campus? Drop in the Science Center Great Hall on April 9 for a taste of everything going on at the third annual Sustainability Sampler! All are welcome to come by for food, games and great conversations with departments and student groups from across campus that are engaged with sustainability at W&L.

Super Bad Slam with FUDG | April 11, 8-10 p.m., ARC House
Join this “anti-slam,” a form of poetry performance that celebrates the worst poem, on April 11 at Friday Underground. If you have something to say about the state of the world and are ready to lean into all your big feelings without worrying about whether you sound good, bring your best worst original work to the Super Bad Slam! The event is open mic, but advance sign-up is recommended.

Polar Plunge | April 12, 2 p.m., Back Campus Beach
Join SEAL, the Outing Club and WLU Wildfire Relief for a polar plunge in the Maury. The $12 entry fee will go to helping victims of the Los Angeles wildfires to rebuild.

Wildflower Walk with Emma Steinkraus | April 26, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Brushy Hills Nature Preserve
Learn to identify local flora and fauna and celebrate Rockbridge County in bloom with Emma Steinkraus, assistant professor of art at W&L. Participants will meet at the trailhead for Brushy Hills Nature Preserve. Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, and sun protection is recommended. This event is free and open to the public and is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Registration is required.

Sustainability at a Glance

Since establishing a long-term Climate Action Plan in 2010 (updated in 2019), Washington and Lee University has made major progress in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality as a campus no later than 2050.

  • Since joining the Climate Commitment in 2007, W&L has reduced direct campus greenhouse gas emissions from energy by 50%.
  • Production from the offsite solar array matches or exceeds electricity use on campus.
  • W&L’s forthcoming updates to the campus utility infrastructure will significantly reduce natural gas use on campus.
  • The university is committed to requiring LEED Silver minimum certification on all new construction, resulting in beautiful, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings, as seen with the new Williams School building currently under construction.
  • W&L received a “Green Rating” of 91 out of 99 in the 2024 Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges.
  • The W&L Exchange is reducing unnecessary purchasing and waste by providing a place on campus where students, faculty and staff can exchange goods for free.
  • OSEE launched a new Eco-Rep program this spring, and the first student participants have completed their certification and will begin serving as peer educators for the campus’ sustainability efforts.
  • In 2024, the student compost crew and part-time staff collected over 162,000 pounds of organic waste to compost on campus. This is waste diverted from the landfill, where it would produce methane, and will instead be broken down organically and used to enrich the soil in the campus garden.
  • The campus garden continues to grow delicious produce and serve as a space for teaching and learning. Last year, more than 180 students spent time in the garden in classes or volunteer sessions.