We've organised a range of events and initiatives to help students and staff celebrate Earth Month 2025. You can browse all events below.
Some of these events need to be booked beforehand: follow the booking links to reserve your spot.
Throughout April
On our Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses, we will have dedicated counters offering vegetarian and vegan offerings whenever catering is open in April.
Throughout April
Flex your photography skills with our annual Biodiversity Photo Competition, celebrating new life on our campuses and near you. Running throughout April, the competition is open to all staff and students across ARU – simply sign up or log in to ARUgreen and submit your photo to the Biodiversity Photo Competition activity.
Voting for the winners will take place in the first two weeks of May, with the votes being cast by other ARUgreen members. The top three photos will win gift vouchers with the value of £100, £50 and £25.
For terms and conditions please see the 'more info' section of the activity on ARUgreen.
1-30 April (daily self-guided tours), Writtle campus
Are you looking for the opportunity to help relieve some stress and reconnect with nature? Take a self-guided tour of the Writtle campus at your leisure to identify bird calls and record any observations of wildlife you may make along your way. Please pick up guide from the Students' Union at Writtle and follow the instructions from there. If you're walking with others, we suggest a group size of up to eight.
8 and 30 April, 7-8pm, online
Open to everyone.
Join the ARU Cambridge and Peterborough sustainability societies for an inspiring mix of talks and activities designed to explore sustainability and its role in our lives. Hear from guest speakers, including invertebrate and citizen science specialists and international students, as they share unique insights and sustainable practices from around the world. These conversations aim to spark reflection and help you discover how sustainability can shape your everyday actions and broader impact.
As part of the event, take part in Action Atlas, our interactive geotag map of sustainable actions. Think local, act global: Map your impact by logging your sustainable actions and pinning your location—whether you’re on campus or halfway across the globe. Together, we’ll create a visual representation of how small, meaningful actions can contribute to a greener future.
Visit the Sustainability Society page on the Students' Union website to get your free ticket.
2 April, from 12 noon, Peterborough
Celebrate National Walking Day with us by joining a refreshing walk around the beautiful city of Peterborough! This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, stay active, and explore the local sights while enjoying some fresh air. We’ll meet at the University House Reception at 12pm, and the walk will be a relaxed, enjoyable pace – perfect for all fitness levels.
Whether you're looking to get some steps in, socialise with others, or simply enjoy the day, this is the perfect way to celebrate National Walking Day. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a coat in case the weather is chilly.
The best part? It’s completely free to join – just show up and be ready to walk!
3, 10 and 24 April, 2.30-4.30pm, Cambridge
Join us on Thursdays for our Sow & Grow sessions at The Green Space Project. These hands-on gardening sessions, run in collaboration with Earth & Mind and ARU's Peer Wellbeing Mentors, offer a chance to connect with nature, learn sustainable growing practices, and meet like-minded people.
No prior gardening experience needed – just bring your enthusiasm!
We'll be meeting outside the Students' Union before heading to the Green Space Project together.
To attend, you’ll need to be a member of the Sustainability Society – but don’t worry, membership is completely free! By participating, you’ll earn 1 Time Credit per session, which can be exchanged for activities across Cambridge through Tempo Time Credits. Want to sign up for the token scheme? Emma from Earth & Mind will be available at the sessions to guide you through the process.
Join the Sustainability Society at https://www.angliastudent.com/socs/sustainability/.
7 April, 11.30am-1.30pm, Peterborough
Join us in celebrating World Health Day with a fun-filled event featuring exciting sports activities like badminton and volleyball. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, take the chance to chat with a local gym and discover amazing offers to help you kickstart your fitness journey.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay active, connect with others, and prioritise your health.
Our free event takes place in University House Atrium.
7 April, 6-8pm, online (Microsoft Teams)
Join the ARU Cambridge Sustainability Society for a film night.
We host these on the first Monday of every month, and the film will always be based around sustainability and the environment. They range from Studio Ghiblis, to Attenborough documentaries and films about climate change films. Most importantly, they're voted on by you!
Message the Sustainability Society on Instagram (@ARU_Sustainability) or contact Afrika Priestley ([email protected]) for access to the Microsoft Teams channel.
8 April, 1pm, online (Microsoft Teams)
Learn more about Cambridge Carbon Footprint, an established organisation in the city that works on lowering the community's carbon footprint. The talk will cover our journey so far, what we have achieved and how, our vision and mission, and how you can get involved.
Email Zareen Bharucha ([email protected]), to be added to the Teams meeting and receive a link. Please email by 7 April, using the subject line ‘Joining Cambridge Carbon Footprint talk’.
9 April, 11am-1pm, online (Microsoft Teams)
RawTag is an art and sustainability project that invited you to explore your love for clothes; while thinking about your garments' own stories and supply chain, and how you can act responsibly.
Your host for this workshop is Dr Beatriz Acevedo, an artist-academic who's passionate about Education for Sustainable Development and action learning.
To join, please email Zareen Bharucha ([email protected]), to be added to the Teams meeting and receive a link. Please email by 8 April.
16 April, 10.30am-3.30pm, Wilderness Foundation (Chelmsford, free transport provided)
Could you do with a break, some peace, and time to reflect? Want to explore nature and another area of Essex? Visit the Wilderness Foundation in Chelmsford with your Peer Wellbeing Mentors and other ARU students, and make some new connections and friends.
The Wilderness Foundation takes pride in transforming lives through nature. They are offering free wellbeing sessions in a beautiful outdoor setting close to Chelmsford.
What to expect:
Bring outdoor shoes or wellies (that can get muddy), a waterproof coat, a warm jumper, hat and gloves, and a packed lunch and drink.
Get you free ticket today at https://www.angliastudent.com/events/16731/16731/, and we'll send you more information closer to the time.
Places are limited so please only book if you're confident you are going to attend.
For any questions please email: [email protected].
24 April, 11am-noon, Room HEL 119, Cambridge campus
Try your hand at creative writing. In this workshop, we’ll explore this year’s Earth Month theme of Our Power, Our Planet through a series of playful prompts, inspired by visual images and written materials.
Writer Sarah Royston will give tips on crafting great stories in less than 500 words, and launch a call for submissions for a writing competition. This call will remain open until May, when one piece will be chosen by our judge, Sarah Lewis of Writers’ HQ. This piece will then be published in the September 2025 issue of So What? magazine which is produced by ARU's Global Sustainability Institute.
Everyone is welcome at the workshop, whether you’re an experienced writer or absolute beginner!
Register your interest for the workshop by emailing Zareen Bharucha at: [email protected] with the subject line ‘Attending Our Power, Our Planet: A Playful Writing Workshop'. Please email by 14 April.
23 April, 6-7.30pm, Cambridge campus
Join students from the Sustainability Society and Arts and Crafts Society to repair, customise, or donate clothing items. Bring your old clothes to upcycle through sewing and embroidery.
The workshop is free but limited to 25 places. Please sign up via https://www.angliastudent.com/socs/sustainability/
24 April, 1.30-3.30pm, Peterborough
Discover an inspiring conservation project led by Brian Pearce MBE. Learn how passionate volunteers turned a derelict coal yard into a thriving inner city wildlife sanctuary. Join volunteers for a guided tour and presentation, where they’ll explain the site’s circular economy, its strong commitment to sustainability, and the Volunteers 40-year Environmental Mission.
We'll meet at University House Foyer at 1.30pm to walk to the Wildlife Haven, which takes around 20 minutes. If you need to request alternative transport please email: [email protected]. After the visit, we'll walk back to campus for 4pm.
Bring outdoor shoes, a waterproof, and a warm jumper (maybe some snacks, too).
24 April, 11am-1pm, Cambridge
Discover the wonders of nature with Earth and Mind and your Peer Wellbeing Mentors as we explore Mill Road Cemetery in search of medicinal plants and wild foods.
Led by Earth and Mind, this hands-on workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn about the natural remedies and edible treasures hidden in our surroundings. Spend time outdoors, gain practical knowledge, and connect with others who share your interest in nature. Join us in learning new skills, connecting with nature, and improving your wellbeing!
We'll meet at the front door of the Students' Union, Cambridge campus, before walking together to Mill Road Cemetery.
Both students and staff are welcome to join!
25 April, 12-2pm, online
For Earth Month we’ll be talking about the book Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility, which is edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua. This book contains 28 hopeful essays from diverse and inspirational figures in the global climate movement. Don’t feel you have to read it all – dive into any perspective that’s interesting to you. Come along to the book club to share what you liked.
The e-book version is available online through the ARU library and as an audiobook via Libby. Find how to access Libby through ARU. (Student/staff login required).
The book club will be hosted by Lara Houston (a researcher in sustainability) and Judith Wells (librarian).
Complete our short form, and we'll send a Teams link to you nearer the time.
28 April–2 May, Ruskin Gallery, East Road, Cambridge
Creative works from Cambridge School of Art students that reflect a wide range of issues and ideas that fall under the theme of sustainability are going on display to re-launch the annual Sustainability Art & Design Prize. Selected works will be displayed in the Ruskin Gallery, for a one week, pop-up exhibition from 28 April–2 May.
The exhibition will coincide with a ‘Recentring the Human within Nature’ Symposium, organised by the DIALOGUE network, funded by ARU's Sustainable Futures research theme, and supported by the Global Sustainability Institute, Centre for Research into the Organization of Work and Consumption, and Cambridge School of Art. The Symposium and a private view of the exhibition will take place on 30 April 2025.