Earth Fest

For over 18 years, UTRGV and its legacy institutions have hosted Earth Fest during the third week of April, bringing together students, faculty, and the broader community to celebrate and advance sustainability across the Rio Grande Valley. Organized by the School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences and the Office for Sustainability, this annual festival is open to the public and features a dynamic lineup of guest speaker panels, documentary screenings, and discussion forums.

Virtual Earth Fest 2021 and 2022

Explore the Earth Fest Archive and Past Highlights

2022 Virtual Earth Fest Sessions Youtube Playlist

2021 Virtual Earth Fest Sessions Youtube Playlist

Each year, Earth Fest focuses on a different theme rooted in the three pillars of sustainability.In 2019, the spotlight was on Food Security, a pressing issue in the Valley. According to the Food Bank of the RGV, nearly 1 in 2 children live at or below the federal poverty level, and food insecurity affects 1 in 5 to 1 in 7 households. The event explored how families often face difficult choices between paying bills and accessing nutritious food, and how institutions like UTRGV can lead efforts to address these challenges through education, research, and community partnerships.

In 2018, Earth Fest featured the 4th Annual Food Security Forum, with over 12 guest speakers presenting in the Edinburg Ballroom, alongside student-led activities and exhibitor booths on both campuses. The City of Brownsville also hosted its own Earth Fest celebration in Linear Park, where UTRGV student organizations joined in with interactive programming. That same year, Graphic Design students from the College of Fine Arts showcased their BFA exhibit focused on sustainability, while attendees participated in a social justice forum to explore the intersection of environmental and social equity.

Earth Fest continues to be a platform for collaboration, awareness, and action, empowering the UTRGV community to lead with purpose and build a more sustainable future.

You can find more details on past events and upcoming programming on the Earth Fest event page.