ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (April 14, 2026) — Augustana student groups will host hands-on activities and events for Earth Week, April 22-28. All are invited to connect with nature and help make an impact on campus.
Organizations include Augie Acres, Sierra Club, Campus Closet, Office of Student Cultural Connection, Student Government Association, Film Club and Delta Chi Theta sorority.
All week:
Augie Acres Fundraiser
Augie Acres will be in The Brew selling art prints, seed balls, succulents, stickers, and baked goods to support spring planting day.
Featured Drinks in the Brew
Two special Earth Week-themed drinks will be available:
Trail Mix Latte — Hazelnut, mocha, and caramel
Pollinator's Paradise — Honey lavender and strawberry matcha
Penny Wars
Groups will be collecting money for Penny Wars at each Earth Week event and in the Brew. The environmental student leader with the most coins will jump in the Slough to conclude Earth Week.
Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day)
Swap Don’t Shop (10AM-4PM, Quad)
Sierra Club and Campus Closet will be in the Quad with free secondhand clothes for you to browse through and take home. Bring your own clothes that you would like to donate. Please donate only items that are in good condition and have been washed. Shoes and accessories are also welcome. Save money, avoid waste and reduce the demand for raw materials.
Wednesday 8:31 (8:31PM, Ascension Chapel)
Join Campus Ministries for a nature-themed Wednesday 8:31 service; location weather dependent.
Thursday, April 23
Cultivating Culture, 5-7PM, Culture Houses
The Office of Student Cultural Connection will be cultivating culture across campus. Augie Acres and the Sierra Club will lead the planting of various flora at each of the culture houses and offer craft activities.
Plant Pot Painting (7-9PM, Gävle rooms 1-2)
The Office of Student Life will host a plant pot-painting event, with free plants or succulents to take home, starter kits to care for your plant, and performances with dueling pianos.
Friday, April 24
Geography Department Map and Munch (1-2PM, Augie Acres)
Clayton Wassilak ('19), former president of Augie Acres, will give a presentation about his time working at the garden, his current career as a ecological restoration technician, and sustainability issues.
Sierra Club Social (5-8PM, Radicle Effects)
Augustana Sierra Club will host a gathering at Radicle Effects Brewerks, 1340 31st St, Rock Island, to discuss environmental awareness, sustainability and climate action. Local environmental groups, including Eagle View Sierra Club, River Action, and ETC will have with information about their work. Sunny Dogs will cater, and a special Green Drink feature will be available. This event is open to the public.
Saturday, April 25
Nahant Marsh Spring Cleanup (9-11AM, Nahant Marsh, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport)
Join the Nahant Marsh team for the annual spring cleanup. Work will focus on cleaning along Wapello and South Concord streets by the marsh. This is a family-friendly clean-up. Volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants and sleeves, close-toed shoes, bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat. Gloves, trash bags, and trash tongs will be provided. Meet at the front parking lot; there will be a check-in table near a big dumpster.
Sunday, April 26
Planting Day (12-2PM, Augie Acres garden)
Augie Acres and Delta Chi Theta will plant spring crops. There will be a raffle to win Augie Acres merchandise and gardening kits. Afterward, lunch will be provided courtesy of Delta Chi Theta. Anyone is welcome to come and help, regardless of experience. The address of Augie Acres is 3219-3221 6th Ave.
Themed T-shirts are available and for purchase; funds go towards seeds for planting. Orders close April 14.
Nature Walk at Sylvan Island (4PM)
Augustana’s Student Government Association will lead a trip to Sylvan Island to explore the island. Transportation will be provided by ACES, or students can meet there, 111 1st Ave, Moline.
"Virunga" Watch Party (6-8PM, Olin Auditorium)
Film Club will host a screening of the documentary Virunga. Popcorn and drinks will be provided.
Virunga is a 2014 British documentary film that focuses on the conservation work of park rangers within the Congo's Virunga National Park during the rise of the violent M23 Rebellion in 2012, and investigates the activity of the British oil company SOCO International within the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Monday, April 27
Augie Acres and Gray Matters Collective meeting (6-7PM, Hanson 304)
Augie Acres and the Augustana chapter of the Gray Matters Collective will talk about using nature to practice mindfulness and its effect on mental health. Afterward, there will be a craft activity for students to bring nature into their dorm or house. Snacks will be provided.
Tuesday, April 28
Invasive Species Pulling (12-3PM, behind Olin Center)
Augustana’s grounds crew will lead students in pulling invasive species on the hill behind the Olin Center.
Gloves and tools will be provided. Students are welcome to stay for the whole time or part of the time to assist.
Sierra Club meeting (7-8PM, Lindberg 204)
Sierra Club will hold its weekly meeting to round out Earth Week.
Contacts
For more information about these events, contact:
Office of Student Cultural Connection
