Earth Week 2026

April 16th, 12 pm - April 22nd, 9 pm Bid Here!

This year, the Environment Program is hosting its first-ever art auction to help ensure Earth Week can continue to grow and thrive for future students. The auction will take place online from April 16th through April 22nd and will feature a stunning reproduction of Walter Anderson’s Alligator in the Marsh Grass, a hand silk-screened reproduction of a Walter Anderson linoleum block print that was hand water-colored by Mississippi artist Zina Puzz on heavyweight, linen ivory paper (this piece measures 60” x 24”).

This one-of-a-kind artwork can be viewed at Loyola University's Earth Day Sustainability Fair on April 22nd,  from 4-7 pm in Palm Court. Bids may be placed here or at the Walter Anderson tent during the fair. Check the Sustainability Fair tab for more information.

Bidding closes at 9 p.m. on April 22nd with the conclusion of the Greenhouse Gathering.

Walter Anderson -- Alligator in the Marsh Grass
Hand silk-screened reproduction that was hand water-colored by Mississippi artist Zina Puzz on heavyweight, linen ivory paper (this piece measures 60” x 24”) and is unframed.

Access the bid form HERE!

How to get started:

• Scan the QR Code
• Enter your information and bid amount
• Check the form often to see the current high bid and to place additional bids
• Bidding ends Wednesday, April 22nd. Winner announced & contacted by Monday, April 28th
• The person who places the highest bid will be contacted to arrange payment and item pick-up. If needed, shipping & handling fees will apply.

April 16th from 12:30 – 1:45 pm in Monroe Hall 152.

Come join us as we discuss Louisiana’s Water Challenges and Solutions.

Presented by Joey Breaux, Assistant Commissioner of Office of Soil & Water and Ex. Director of LA Soil & Water Conservation Commission, Jerry Davenport, Water Resource Specialist.

April 16th from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. in Chapel of St. Ignatius

Focus on the environment is one of the four Universal Apostolic Priorities of the Society of Jesus. Join in prayer for the grace to live collaboratively with our natural resources.

April 16th from 7 – 9 p.m. at Hurst Bridge in Audubon Park

Join ENVA's Dr. Hood for an evening bat walk in Audubon park! This guided walk offers the opportunity to learn more about local bats and their behavior from our resident expert. This event is free, all participants should meet at the bridge shortly before the event time.

Walk over from Loyola until you get to the bridge location and you will find us with Bat Detectors. 

April 17th from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Peace Quad

This year's market will include an "Edible Garden". The soil will be black Chinese rice w/quinoa, fresh veggies will include asparagus, squash, zucchini, snow peas, carrots & Bok choy topped off with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Drum Circle, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The drum circle is an ancient form of communication and community that resonates with the rhythm of the Earth's natural cycles. All are invited to participate in the drum circle, no experience or equipment needed.

Live Music, 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Peace Quad

Enjoy live music from fellow Loyola students!

Set List:

• World Folk Trio
  • A traditional folk trio weaving songs from forests, fields, and faraway lands. Members include Ella (tin whistle), Andrew (lute), and Jade (vocals). All play a variety of instruments that provides versatility and brings to life traditional melodies from around the world. The band hopes to honor this special kind of music that paints the world in such a magical way. Music that’s inspired by love, storytelling, and Mother Earth. 
• rem:edi
  • A solo artist who sings a mix of original songs and covers with an indie/jazz vibe. Joined by guitarist, Sebastian Brown, a member of the band Left Hook.

Sun Printing, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Join us for a hands-on sun printing event where you’ll use natural light to create beautiful cyanotype prints. All materials will be provided, and no experience is needed; just bring your creativity. Come create, connect, and celebrate sustainability through art.

Face Painting, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Brighten your day with a visit to our face painting station! Pick a design you love and let our artists bring it to life!

Recycled Plastic Flowers & Glass Vase Decorating, 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

April 17th from 3 – 8:30 p.m. in Manchac Swamp (RSVP REQUIRED)

Join our Earth Week canoe trip to the Manchac Swamp. This is a unique experience you won't want to miss!

Reservation & Cost: Deliver your $10 payment (nonrefundable) to Shelby Perkins in Monroe Hall 571/572 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30-12:20 p.m., and on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:30–1:30 p.m. The deadline for new sign-ups is Thursday, April 15th. Questions & accommodations, contact srperkin@my.loyno.edu.

Sign up HERE!

Your spot is not guaranteed until payment is received.

Bus Schedule: Pickup at the Loyola Freret St. Entrance between Tulane Law School & Loyola Sports Complex for transportation to Manchac Swamp.

The Hotard bus will leave Loyola at 3 p.m., arrive at Manchac Swamp at 4:15 p.m. & canoe until 7:00 pm and return to campus around 8:30 p.m. 

View a map of the canoe site

What to bring: 

• Snack foods and water
• Dress comfortably. Bring layers. Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. 
• Waterproof bag to carry personal items
• Also, bug spray if you are bugged by bugs

Plant with the Pack April 20th from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Peace Quad

Come join SGA’s University Programming Board to adopt a plant and give it a new home. Re-pot your plant into a pot you design and decorate yourself, then take it home with you. Stop by to spend some time outside, get a little creative, and leave with something you made.

April 20th from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Peace Quad

Join Mark Tobler, Keep Loyola Beautiful director, and Katie Buc (ENVA’26), president of Students for Environmental Action, to help clean up and beautify your campus! We will meet in the Peace Quad and work our way around the campus. Join on your own or come as a group! Free Love the Boot t-shirts while supplies last!

Supplies will be provided, wear comfortable clothing, including shoes, and bring a water bottle. This event is supported by Keep Louisiana Beautiful.
 

April 21st from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in Uptown Hall Multipurpose & Tchoupitoulas Room

Join us for Loyola’s annual GIS Conference, an open to the public event where students, faculty, and community partners explore how mapping and geospatial technologies help us better understand and solve real-world problems. Presentations and demonstrations will showcase innovative projects applying GIS to issues such as environmental sustainability, urban planning, crime analysis, and community resilience in New Orleans and beyond. Whether you are new to GIS or already working with spatial data, this event offers an engaging look at how maps transform complex data into insights that support informed action.

April 21st from 7:00 – 11 p.m. Pick-up & Drop-off in West Road Garage

Enjoy an evening adventure walk with Dr. Whitney Walkowski (Department of Biological Sciences and Environment Program) & Dr. Bob Thomas (Environment Program and Mass Communications), one of the foremost herpetologists in the southeastern Louisiana area and a longtime environmental educator and naturalist. Come to listen and investigate dozens of species of frogs and toads. Learn how to identify frogs by their vocalizations and see alligators’ glowing red eyes. Walkers are guaranteed to see all sorts of nocturnal critters.

Only 24 seats are available for transportation, so be sure to sign up early to guarantee your spot. Once all seats are filled, a waitlist will be available for additional sign-ups. If you’re on the waitlist, we still encourage you to come to the pick-up location in case a spot opens up.

Reserve Your Spot: This trip is free and open to the Loyola community, but you must reserve your spot ahead of time. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot.

Where to Meet: Meet on the 1st floor of West Road Garage. The vans will leave West Road Garage promptly at 7:00 p.m. Return time will be around 11 p.m. If you wish to drive and/or carpool separately, you will be given a map to the site we are visiting –Twin Canals Trail. If you want to meet us there, email wgwalkow@loyno.edu or rathomas@loyno.edu for a map.

What to Bring: Dress comfortably. Wear shoes that are good for walking on a rocky trail.  Be sure to bring a flashlight and consider bringing a camera and umbrella. Also, bug spray if you are bugged by bugs. 

Check out these different frog calls – includes all state frog species.

Checklist of possible animal observations.

April 22 from 4 – 7 p.m. in Palm Court

Students for Environmental Action and the Environment Program will be hosting a sustainability fair in Loyola's Palm Court. Stop by for free food, upcycled clothing, activities, art, and more. 

Vendors & Activities:

• Wetland Watchers - swamp animals and games
• Earth Week Clothing Sale - upcycled clothing by the Collective (Cash Only)
• Design program pop-up shop
• Costume Shop pop-up
• Food provided by Sodexo
• Game wheel to win Earth Week prizes
• Face painting
• Crafts table
• Adopt a plant from the greenhouse

Greenhouse:

• Demonstrations and stargazing led by the Physics Department
• Live bands and streaming of the Greenhouse show 

Greenhouse Gathering 2025 Recording

Celebrate Earth Week with Fashion that Gives Back!

Join us in making a difference by giving your old wardrobe a new life to support the future of Earth Week! Clean out your closet of gently used clothing and drop them into the bins around campus (dorm lobbies, Danna Center lower level, Monroe Hall lobby), and the student-run design group, The Collective, will artistically upcycle them into new fashionable Earth Week themed statements that will be available during the Sustainability Fair! 

Wetland Watchers Animal Showcase

The LaBranche Wetland Watchers is a nationally recognized school-based service-learning project that involves a core group of 200 sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students in a variety of service activities to improve their local habitat and community. Students lead field trips, host community events, and speak to over 70,000 people a year through outreach events. Through education, service, and awareness, Hurst Middle students lead a community effort for wetland conservation.

Walter Anderson Sale & Auction

The Earth Week Sustainability Fair will have opportunities to participate in the auction and place bids on the Anderson piece. We will have Earth Week team members available at the Walter Anderson tent to walk you through the bidding process or answer any questions you may have. Want to bid before the fair? Click here!

 In addition to the large Walter Anderson piece, we will also have a variety of affordable non-auction items for purchase, perfect for students who want to take home iconic pieces of Anderson art. We will be selling a variety of Walter Anderson prints (11x14), as well as tote bags & t-shirts with screen-printed Walter Anderson designs. These items will be available at the Walter Anderson Sale tent during the Sustainability Fair. 

Auction bidding closes at 9 p.m. on April 22nd with the conclusion of the Greenhouse Gathering.

April 22nd from 5 – 7:00 p.m. on the Greenhouse Deck (Monroe Hall 7th floor)

Join ENVA and three Loyola bands as they perform live in the Azby Greenhouse to close out Earth Week! The performances will also be streamed live to the Sustainability Fair in Palm Court and on the Loyola Environment YouTube Channel. Attendees can also enjoy a free tour of the Greenhouse facility. This is the only time the Greenhouse is completely open to the Loyola community, so don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore it.

Check out last year's performances here!

This years set list:

• James Wrytzen & The Barnburners
  • James Wyrtzen & The Barnburners is a band fronted by James Wyrtzen, the Connecticut-born Texas-raised singer songwriter who’s bluesy, funky, soulful, country songwriting can be likened towards The Band, The Rolling Stones, and Drive-By Truckers. He is backed by Patrick Peck on guitar, Karhma Deweese on bass, and Jeb Richey on drums.
• Left Hook
  • Left Hook loves to play 70's - 2010's funk and soul inspired originals and covers! When writing, they take inspiration from newer acts like Vulfpeck and Hiatus Kaiyote to stone cold classics like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.
• Phunktion
  •  A pop/funk band with gospel and jazz influences.

 April 22nd from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. on the Greenhouse Deck

Stick around after the greenhouse show to take part in the physics stargazing demo led by the physics department. Participants will have the chance to view the night sky through one of the physics department's powerful telescopes. All are welcome!