MTSU Center for Energy and Sustainability to host full slate of Earth Month activities in April

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University is “going green” throughout April to celebrate Earth Month, with a dozen environmentally focused events hosted by the Center for Energy and Sustainability and other campus partners.

“We’ve worked really hard this year to have events students will enjoy but also provide eco-friendly resources and show how MTSU is focused on environmentally sound practices,” said Kristin England, the sustainability manager for the Center for Energy and Sustainability, or CES, which oversees environmental and conservation projects on campus as well as MTSU Recycles.

Doug Tallamy to speak

Flagship events that will highlight this year’s activities include a speaking engagement with renowned conservationist Doug Tallamy on April 13 and the unveiling of MTSU’s newly reclassified campus arboretum on April 16, along with smaller activities focused on reaching students.

The Center for Energy and Sustainability at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., will host renowned author and conservationist Doug Tallamy, founder of Homegrown National Park, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, in Keathley University Center. The event is part of Earth Month activities held throughout April. (Submitted photo)

“We’re really excited about Doug Tallamy,” England said. “He’s written a half-dozen books about biodiversity and founded Homegrown National Park, a nonprofit that encourages people to plant native. He’s inspired a lot of people to make a real difference in their own yards.”

Tallamy will be on hand from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, in Keathley University Center Theater, 1524 Military Memorial.

A reception will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m., followed by the keynote address and ending with a book signing at 7 p.m. The first 10 students at the door will receive a free copy of his book, “Nature’s Best Hope.” Registration is required and space is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/4bivix2 to secure your spot.

In his keynote, he’ll share how we can all work in our own yards to make a real difference in rebuilding ecosystems and restoring the vital connections between plants and animals.

As part of Earth Month activities in April, the Center for Energy and Sustainability at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., will team up with campus partners for the spring drug and vape take-back event near the Campus Pharmacy at the Rec Center from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 23. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

MTSU Arboretum unveiling

CES will also host an official unveiling of the MTSU Arboretum at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in Walnut Grove between Peck Hall and Cope Administration Building.

In 2015, MTSU was designated a Level I Arboretum by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, which requires at least 30 different labeled trees.

An Eastern redbud is located in front of the Science Building on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This species of tree will be available to purchase as part of the Green Interchange "Plant a Bigger Tree" initiative. (MTSU file photo) — An Eastern redbud, located in front of the Science Building on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., is one of 73 trees on the roster for the MTSU Arboretum. The Center for Energy and Sustainability will host an official unveiling of the MTSU Arboretum at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in Walnut Grove between Peck Hall and Cope Administration Building. (Submitted photo)

“A decade later, with support from Sustainable Campus Fee funds, MTSU received Level II Arboretum status from the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, with 73 trees tagged and mapped across campus,” explained England, who worked with Kristen Hargis, assistant manager for CES; Kim Sadler and Danielle Brown from the Biology Department; and Jason Young with MTSU Grounds and Greenhouse Services to solidify the reclassification.

The new designation made the MTSU Arboretum — which is located on the 500-acre main campus — the only Level II arboretum in the city.

Dr. Danielle Brown, lecturer, Biology Department — Dr. Danielle Brown

“Campus is always open for people to stroll around and link to the digital map to learn about something new,” said Brown, who was instrumental in getting the certification.

After brief remarks at the unveiling, Sadler and Brown will guide a short tour highlighting several designated trees in Walnut Grove and surrounding Old Main Circle.

Some of the specimens highlighted include sweetgum, cedar, catalpa, oak, maple and cherry trees. Details about each entry are available at bit.ly/MTSUarboretum.

“MTSU’s Arboretum has a great balance between native species that are less familiar and both native and introduced plants that people are already familiar with. It’s so much more than just picturesque landscaping,” said Brown, a biology instructor who often speaks on the topic of trees. “We bring our students into the open air to make the stuff we lecture on local and tangible.”

Earth Day celebration

CES will also celebrate international Earth Day with campus activities set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, in the Student Union Commons. There will be over 45 campus and community organizations with food, music and giveaways.

“It gives students, staff, and faculty an opportunity to interact with groups making sustainable change and figure out how they can make a difference,” England said.

MTSU’s CES will also have a booth at the 2026 Middle Tennessee Electric Earth Day Celebration on the historic Murfreesboro Public Square, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Learn more at mte.com/RCEarthDay.

The recent communitywide Recycling Roundup, held in partnership with the Tennessee Environmental Council and the Center for Energy and Sustainability, or CES, at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., collected more than 54,000 pounds of materials. The CES will host its first in a series of Recycling Stop and Drop events for students, faculty and staff from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the MTSU RV lot east of the Tennessee Livestock Center on the northeast edge of campus off Blue Raider Drive. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy) — **Campus recycling hosted by the Center for Energy and Sustainability (CES) at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn.,** **prioritizes energy and utility management, sustainable building design, and resource stewardship to foster a greener campus.** CES will host a dozen activities throughout April to celebrate the globally recognized Earth Month. The CES will also team up with MT Dining to compost all food waste from the Bolt Awards on Tuesday, April 14, and the Exam Jam on Thursday, April 30.(MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

More on-campus Earth Month events

Other free on-campus Earth Month events include:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, April 2 — Taking Earth Pledges with SGA, Student Union Atrium

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 — Paint and Plant Popup, quad at Business and Aerospace Building.

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, April 9 — Recycle and Win: Bin It to Win It recycling game and info table, Student Union Commons.

• 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, April 23 — Drug/vape takeback event, with drop-off service available near the Campus Pharmacy drive-thru located outside the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center.

The CES will also team up with MT Dining to compost all food waste from the Bolt Awards on Tuesday, April 14, and the Exam Jam on Thursday, April 30.

A full list of events is available at https://ces.mtsu.edu/upcoming-events/.

To learn more about the center, email ces@mtsu.edu, call 615-904-8096 or visit ces.mtsu.edu/.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)