April at Notre Dame is more than just a change in season—it marks the beginning of Earth Month. Rooted in the spirit of Earth Day (April 22), this month-long observance is a time for our campus community to renew its commitment to caring for our common home and embracing the principles of integral ecology.
To signal the start and culmination of this celebration, the iconic Word of Life Mural at the Hesburgh Library will be illuminated in green on the evenings of April 1 and April 22.
Go Behind the Scenes with Earth Month Programming
This year, Notre Dame Sustainability has curated a unique lineup of programming designed for the campus community to connect with one another and learn about the vast projects that often go unseen to the everyday campus constituent. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to engage with the campus and explore its hidden systems. Featured events include: Joyce Center Green Roof Tours; Power Plant Tours; St. Mary’s Lake Litter Pick-Up; Campus Green Tours; and a specially-curated viewing at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, exploring the intersection of creativity and water—one of Earth’s precious resources.
A Landmark Year: Celebrating A Decade of Sustainability Impact
The year 2026 marks a significant milestone: a decade since the publication of Notre Dame’s original 2016 Sustainability Strategy. While we look toward the work that remains ahead of us, the past ten years have seen transformative growth. From significant strides in campus decarbonization and food waste mitigation to the expansion of LEED-certified buildings and green roof infrastructure, our collective progress is a testament to the University’s mission.
Join the Celebration
To honor these achievements and the partners who made them possible, Notre Dame Sustainability invites the campus community to the Third Annual Sustainability Celebration on April 22. At the celebration, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with fellow sustainability champions, celebrate both internal and external partnerships, and learn what’s on the horizon for sustainability at the University.
This year’s event carries special significance as we welcome University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. Fr. Dowd’s connection to sustainability at Notre Dame is deep-rooted. As a founding member of the Sustainability Strategy Standing Committee and chair of one of the original working groups, he was instrumental in laying some of the groundwork for the progress we celebrate today. During the formal portion of the evening, Fr. Dowd will provide closing remarks and reflect on sustainability at Notre Dame.
We Want to Hear From You
As we prepare for the Third Annual Sustainability Celebration, we want to show appreciation to sustainability champions across campus working behind the scenes to carry out the critical work that makes Notre Dame more sustainable. We want to hear from the campus community: What does sustainability at Notre Dame mean to you? What progress are you most proud of? How do you feel most impacted by this work? Take a moment to express your sentiments or gratitude here for the opportunity to be featured.