EARTH FEST
2025 2025
Photo Locations
Caprock Canyon
Table of Contents
101° 3' 12.4" W
34° 25' 22.488" N
Page 06
101° 3' 47.2" W
34° 25' 17.928" N
Brownsville Campus
Page 01
Edinburg Campus Back Cover Page 14
INTRODUCTION
What is “Earth Fest”?
Earth Fest is UTRGV 's way of bringing the community together to celebrate the planet. Every Spring, students, staff, and local organizations gather on campus for a day of fun, learning, and action focused on protecting our environment. We do this as part of a much larger tradition: Earth Day and Earth Month, which are recognized around the world each April.
Earth Day began in 1970 and has grown into global movment that reminds us all of the importance of taking care of our planet. It is a time when communities take part in cleanups, tree plantings, workshops, and other events that support sustainability.
At UTRGV , Earth Fest helps us join that global effort while focusing on local impact right here in the Rio Grande Valley.
Earth Fest 2025 was held on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. It brought together students, staff, and visitors for games, workshops, and activities focused on protecting the environment. The event was a chance for everyone to learn, have fun, and show how much we care about the Earth.
"We don’t always realize how much we can learn by just observing nature."
Quote by John Brush
EARTH MONTH
Nigeria: Turning Waste into Community Playgrounds
Awardee of the 2025 Earth Prize, Seventeen-year-old Amara Nwuneli from Lagos made headlines when she transformed a neglected dumping ground into a vibrant playground using recycled materials. Her group, Preserve Our Roots, now plans to create additional parks across Nigeria with a focus on urban green infrastructure.
Brazil: Hosting the Earthshot Prize in Rio de Janeiro
The Earthshot Prize ceremony will be hosted in Rio for the first time in South America. This global event celebrates innovative solutions to environmental issues and will highlight Brazil’s biodiversity during the same year it hosts COP30.
Global: Earth Aid Live Concert Series
A new worldwide music event called Earth Aid Live was announced, with concerts planned in six countries. Modeled after Live Aid, the series will feature global performances to raise awareness about climate change and support net-zero goals.
AROUND THE WORLD
Japan: Earth Day Festivals in Tokyo
Tokyo hosted Earth Day festivals in major parks, offering workshops, local food, and performances. These events promoted sustainable living and educated attendees about how to reduce their environmental impact.
India: Celebrating Biodiversity in Gujarat
In the Dang district of Gujarat, local leaders held workshops and educational events under the theme: "Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development." These activities encouraged biodiversity protection and involved entire communities in sustainable practices.
Indonesia: Empowering Communities
Earth Day events in Indonesia focused on community-led conservation. Programs helped residents protect biodiversity and reduce waste, showing the strength of grassroots environmental action.
EARTH MONTH
Across Texas
The Lone Star State took sustainability by the horns, showing no hesitation in embracing Earth Month 2025. Across its vast landscapes and diverse cities, Texans gathered not just to celebrate the planet, but to take real action. From campuses to coastlines, initiatives reflected the bold, hands-on spirit Texas is known for.
UT Austin
The Earth Day Fair at Gregory Plaza featuring solar-powered smoothie bikes and booths promoting on-campus green tech.
San Antonio
Hosted a city-sponsored Earth Day celebration packed with music, fitness, and free tree giveaways.
Texas A&M International University
Local farms and the Laredo Film Society hosted a screening and discussion of regenerative agriculture film Common Ground
Canadian River
Red River
Pecos River
Colorado River
El Paso
Amarillo
Lubbock
Laredo
AROUND TEXAS
Dallas, TX
EarthX brought together over 177,000 people from across the globe for a five-day sustainability summit.
Baylor University
Hosted a creek cleanup, campus farmer’s market, and Pollinator Appreciation Day.
Houston
Hosted an interactive art installations focused on renewable energy.
Beaumont
Eco-Fest at Shangri La Gardens highlighted East Texas ecology through butterfly releases.
Sugarland
Families gathered at Town Center Plaza for hands-on activities, recycling stations, and environmental games.
EARTH DAY AT UTRGV
Edinburg & Brownsville Campus
Earth Fest in Edinburg was held April 23 at the Chapel Lawn and featured a range of interactive, hands-on experiences. Chartwell Dining Services set up a build-your-own poke bowl station, showcasing sustainable ingredients. Nature walks were led by John Brush of Quinta Mazatlán and Allen Williams from Region I, who spoke about the importance of native plants. The Mutt Strut, in partnership with Palm Valley Animal Society and BARCC, gave attendees the chance to meet adoptable pets.
In total 7 dogs from Palm Valley Animal Society were brought to the Fest, and 4 were adopted. Of the 5 puppies brought by BARCC, 4 were adopted.
Quinta Mazatlán Ecological Tour
Students joined ecologist John Brush for a tour of Quinta Mazatlán, a nature center nearby. The tour focused on why native plants matter and how we can learn from the environment.
Vaqueros Volunteer
On the weekend following Earth Fest, many students took part in Vaqueros Volunteer, a service event during National Volunteer Week. At the Edinburg campus, they helped clean and improve the Vackar Stadium. In Brownsville, volunteers worked at the Cueto Building. These projects helped make our campuses and community spaces look better.
UTRGV Theatre: Carmela Full of Wishes
To celebrate Earth Month, UTRGV Theatre performed Carmela Full of Wishes, a play based on a book by Matt de la Peña. It told a story about family, dreams, and culture.
FROM YOUR CHIEF ECO-WRANGLERS
Earth Fest keeps growing each year, and so does the impact we make. Seeing students, staff, and community members come together for the planet reminds us that change is possible when we work together. Thank you to everyone who took part in Earth Fest 2025, from setting up booths to simply showing up and learning something new.
Your involvement helps move us toward a greener future!
Acknowledgements
Jeremy San Miguel
Chief Eco-Wrangler Editor
Ramiro Coronado
F. Jefferson
Graphic Designer
Trujillo
Chief Eco-Wrangler Editor
Karla Averanga Content Writer
Content Writer
Photographers
Edinburg Campus Photos by Valerie Hernandez
Brownsville Campus Photo by David Pike
Caprock Canyon Photos by Earl & Denniss Jefferson
Brownsville and Edinburg Photo Collages by Office of Sustainability Staff
Stephanie
Levi
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