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Students

Students play an essential role in Harvard’s sustainability mission. Harvard has a variety of programs that engage students in sustainability action.  
 

Engaging students is key to reaching Harvard’s sustainability goals 

Students will continue to provide feedback and recommendations on Harvard’s overall sustainability strategy and collaboratively lead projects to advance the University’s sustainability vision and priorities.

Former Harvard men's basketball player, Zena Edosomwan '17 and Tiana Woolridge, PhD candidate, enjoy one of many green walls in the The new Richard A. Susan F. Smith Campus Center

Climate Resources at Harvard

Explore climate resources available across Harvard.

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HBS AirTable Sustainability Project

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Explore upcoming sustainability events

March

07

Saturday
2:00 pm-3:30 pm GMT+0000

Science Spotlights: The Case of the Immortal Chemicals & Learning about the Deep Past from Ancient DNA

Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of short talks.

2:00–2:30 pm – The Case of the Immortal Chemicals
Speaker: Ethan Sontarp, Graduate Student with the Sunderland Group

There’s a mystery that needs to be solved: where does invisible pollution go when it is released into the environment? Scientists use chemical fingerprinting to do detective work, uncovering why certain man-made pollutants are so resistant to breaking down and where they like to go. By following this trail of clues, researchers can learn how to stop pollution from entering our food and drinking water. Join Harvard scientist Ethan Sontarp to discover how environmental detective work can help protect the world around us.

3:00-3:30 pm – Learning about the Deep Past from Ancient DNA
Speaker: Daniel Tabin, PhD Student in the David Reich Lab

Writing has only been around for about 6,000 years. This means that the stories of people who lived before that time were never recorded for future generations. Thankfully, these stories are not lost forever. How can we learn about the adventures, relationships, and challenges of people who lived long before anyone ever put words on a page? Join Harvard scientist Daniel Tabin to discover how ancient DNA can help us piece together the lives of people who lived thousands of years ago—and hear about the remarkable stories he has helped bring back to light.

20-minute talk followed by 10-minute Q&A session. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Regular museum admission rates apply.

Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

March

03

Tuesday
12:00 pm-1:30 pm GMT+0000

Harvard Hand-Me-Down Collective

The Harvard Hand- Me-Down Collective
Kid’s Clothing, Kid’s Clothing, Toys, and Books
Tuesday, March 3rd 12PM – 1:30 PM
Smith Campus Center – Commons Room
Near Kome Sushi
Drop off what you no longer need and take home what you do.
Yes, it’s free.
For questions email meg_curley@harvard.edu

April

18

Saturday
1:00 pm-4:00 pm GMT+0000

Cherry Blossom Celebration at the Arnold Arboretum

Come celebrate Japanese culture amongst the Arboretum’s beautiful cherry blossoms with taiko drumming, traditional Japanese dance, Japanese games and calligraphy, family activities, and the inside scoop on the Arboretum’s own cherry collection.

April

22

Wednesday
12:00 pm-2:00 pm GMT+0000

Community Event

Earth Day 2026

Earth Day
Earth Month 2026

Join the Harvard Office for Sustainability and Harvard Common Spaces for an Earth Day Festival on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 12 to 2 pm at the Science Center Plaza.

March

04

Wednesday
11:00 am-2:00 pm GMT+0000

Open to Harvard Community

Spring 2026 Freecycle at Science and Engineering Complex (SEC)

freecycle
Zero Waste

Join us at our Freecycle in the SEC Atrium! Drop off reusable goods you no longer need, and browse a fantastic selection of items brought by others. Find some secondhand items to gift this year. Popular items include books, clothes, and working household goods.

April

01

Wednesday
11:00 am-2:00 pm GMT+0000

Open to Harvard Community

Spring 2026 Freecycle at Smith Campus Center (SCC)

Earth Day
Earth Month 2026

Join us at our Freecycle in the Smith Campus Center! Drop off reusable goods you no longer need, and browse a fantastic selection of items brought by others. Find some secondhand items to gift this year. Popular items include books, clothes, and working household goods.

Contact Us

Questions for the Office for Sustainability?

Contact sustainability@harvard.edu.

Meet the OFS Team

Harvard Office for Sustainability logo with green shield.