Campus Actions

Earth Month at TU

Join the Office of Sustainability in celebrating Earth Month at Towson University with events that bring together the campus in a sustainable, community-oriented and fun way. Throughout April, students can take part in cleanups, outdoor activities, educational programs, and special events that highlight ways to care for the environment. Whether you want to learn something new, get involved, or just spend more time outside, Earth Month offers something for everyone.

Explore OUr celebrations list

Safety Day

Held by TUPD and SGA, Safety Day will include tabling, campus resources, and information on micromobility safety. Operations and Sustainability will share safety materials and giveaways at PAWS Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 8.

Thrift Store Bus Tour

Students will travel from the University Union Bus Stop to visit Savers and Uptown Cheapskates to shop local. The bus tour will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 11.

Impact TU

Student volunteers will participate in a stream cleanup at Glen Arboretum as part of TU’s Earth Month service efforts. Waste collected during the cleanup will be used in an Earth Day celebration activity on April 22.

Hazards and Climate Action in Maryland

This April 21 panel will be hosted in CLA 4310. The panel will examine and discuss how weather and climate data help Maryland policymakers and communities understand environmental risks and guide resilience planning. The discussion will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Nature Rx Events

Hammock Hangout

Nature Rx invites the campus community to relax outdoors and enjoy the benefits of time in nature during this Earth Day hammock hangout. The event will take place in Tiger Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22.

Nature Rx – Nature Nook

Nature Rx and the NeuroDiverse Peer Educators will create an outdoor space for connection, rest, and community care on April 30. The event will include hammocks, outdoor gear, bracelet-making, and flower-crowns from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Make a Cake for Mr. Trash Wheel

The Office of Sustainability will create a birthday cake for Mr. Trash Wheel using materials collected during the Impact TU stream cleanup. The event will take place in Freedom Square from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 22.

Dining Events

Earth Day Eats

Tiger Hospitality will host a plant-forward picnic in Tiger Plaza as part of Earth Month programming. The event will take place from noon to 2 p.m. on April 23.

Grow With Us Brunch

Tiger Hospitality will host an Arbor Day brunch at Glen Dining on April 25. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grow Your Network Intercollegiate Event

Join us for a plant-forward, intercollegiate networking event featuring Johns Hopkins, Loyola University, and the University of Maryland on April 30. This will be held at the Carrie Murray Nature Center from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Climate Action at TU

At Towson University, climate action is embedded in our institutional pillars and strategic goals. As an institution at the forefront of sustainable practices, we aim to advance sustainability across all campus resources to create a climate-forward future. Backed by the State of Maryland’s Climate Reduction Plan, our goal is carbon neutrality by 2045.

Importance of Climate Action 

As climate solution leaders in Maryland, we understand the importance of developing future leaders in sustainability. Many Maryland Universities are incubators of innovation, and TU aims to foster critical thinking and inquiry among its graduates so they can serve as leaders for the public good. 

Climate Action Goals & Initiatives 

• By 2031, the Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) requires a 60% reduction in GHG emissions.
• By 2040, TU has committed to reducing transportation emissions by 50%. 

Sustainability and Climate Action Plan 

Towson University is taking critical steps to address climate change and build a more sustainable future by developing a Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP). The SCAP is a subplan of the Campus Master Plan and a companion to the Campus Energy Plan. The SCAP will chart a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate impacts such as flooding and extreme heat, and strengthen campus sustainability and resilience. 

These three plans work together as an interconnected ecosystem:

• The SCAP sets TU's sustainability visions and goals
• The Energy Plan provides the proposed pathway for carbon reduction
• The Campus Master Plan implements the physical infrastructure needed to achieve both

The Sustainability and Climate Action Plan features extensive community engagement throughout the Fall 25 semester, including surveys, town halls, and feedback opportunities.

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES 

Significant Milestones 

• Since 2008, TU has reduced net GHG emissions by 58%.
• Towson University has opened 14 LEED buildings, reached a 55% recycling rate and purchased 100% of our electricity from renewable energy sources.
• 100% of our electricity was purchased from renewable energy sources.
• $2.7 M in purchases from Maryland MWBEs 

Campus Action 

The impact of our actions on the environment is not limited to the Towson region.  All of our choices, from that morning cup of coffee to a late night snack run to which light bulb you purchase, have cumulative global effects.  The good news is that we have access to healthier choices, and together we can make a difference.  

Don't be afraid to be the change you want to see in the world, or on campus.  If you have an idea for a sustainability initiative and the enthusiasm to start a project, you can apply for a grant through the SGA.  Please contact the Office of Sustainability to discuss your idea and visit the SGA's website to learn more about alternative funding.