Celebrate Earth Day (April 22), CSU Natural Resource Days, and Citizen Science Month (all throughout April) with a hands-on event that combines community action and real research.

#LeaveNoTrash at CSU: April 22 Event

On Wednesday, April 22 at 2 PM MT, teams from CitSci, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (NREL), Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (ESS), and CSU’s Participatory Science Center will come together for a campus-wide cleanup as part of the #LeaveNoTrash University Challenge.

We’ll meet in the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building (NESB) lobby at 2 PM, head out for a one-hour cleanup from 2–3 PM, and wrap up by showing how to log your data on CitSci, which means your effort contributes to a larger research effort.

What to expect:

• Gloves, trash grabbers, and 5-gallon buckets provided
• A short, guided introduction to collecting and submitting data
• A chance to contribute to a global dataset on waste and sustainability
• A welcoming, all-ages event: students, faculty, staff, and families encouraged

This event is organized by Sarah Newman (CitSci) and is part of a broader, global, week-long effort.  Send Sarah an email if you plan to attend! Sarah.Newman@colostate.edu 

Can’t make it in person?

You can still participate.

If you’re a remote team member or simply unavailable at that time, consider doing your own cleanup wherever you are during the same hour or anytime during Cleanup Week.

Just visit CitSci to log data on your own. All you need is a five-gallon bucket! 

What is the #LeaveNoTrash University Challenge?

The #LeaveNoTrash University Challenge is a student-centered initiative inspired by the broader Leave No Trace movement. It brings campuses together to take action and apply the 7 Leave No Trace principles in everyday environments.

Cleanup Week runs April 18–26, 2026, with events happening on campuses around the world.

Participants pick up trash, while also collecting and sharing data about what they find. This helps researchers, educators, and communities better understand waste patterns and design solutions.

Tell your friends at other universities and colleges!

The #LeaveNoTrash University Challenge is designed to scale across campuses, building a shared effort to reduce waste and contribute to research.

Small actions add up. One hour can make a difference. Thank you for helping us #LeaveNoTrash.