The University of Windsor will be represented at the city’s Earth Day festival, Sunday, April 27, in Malden Park.

The day promises free activities, exhibits, and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the park, located at 4200 Malden Road.

Among the UWindsor organizations in attendance will be the School of the Environment and the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, the Windsor Law Centre for Cities, and the National Urban Park Hub.

“Earth Day dates back to 1970 as a way to acknowledge our debt to the planet and commit to ecological responsibility,” says UWindsor sustainability officer Nadia Harduar. “Come on out Sunday and connect with some of our local environmentally conscious organizations.”

She is also heading up a team of volunteers participating in the Earth Day community tree planting led by Essex Region Conservation Authority from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday along the Ganatchio Trail. Register to join the UWindsor Green Team for the tree planting.

Learn more about the activities in Malden Park.

The University of Windsor will host the 2025 Minerva Learning Forum, a national event dedicated to advancing education and innovation in workplace health, safety, and environmental management.

Powered by Minerva Canada, the May 2 forum will bring together leaders from academia, industry, and government to discuss how health and safety principles are being applied — and should be taught — across Canadian workplaces.

“Forums like these are crucial in bridging the gap between academic theory and workplace reality,” says Larry Masotti, president of Minerva Canada. “Our goal is to inspire change by influencing how health and safety are taught in classrooms — and ultimately practised in boardrooms, labs, and job sites.”

This year’s forum will highlight a variety of timely topics, including psychological safety in academia and the workplace, health and safety in transportation, the business case for health and safety, and what’s missing in health and safety in education.

“This event goes beyond compliance — it’s about cultivating a mindset where safety and wellbeing are embedded into every aspect of learning and leadership,” says Jacqueline Stagner, undergraduate programs co-ordinator in the Faculty of Engineering and an organizer of the event. “We’re excited to welcome speakers who are at the forefront of health and safety practices in their fields.”

In addition to knowledge sharing, the forum offers networking opportunities, giving attendees space to discuss best teaching practices, curriculum integration strategies, and collaborative approaches to creating safer, healthier workplaces.

To attend the forum, register at Minerva Learning Forum registration.

The Toldo Lancer Centre is advancing its commitment to sustainability by moving towards sending zero waste to landfill.

As part of this effort, the facility is transitioning to a new waste diversion system where all waste is sorted into organics for composting or recyclables such as containers and paper. Traditional landfill-bound garbage bins are being phased out in favour of clearly marked waste sorting stations designed to help users properly dispose of materials.

“The Toldo Lancer Centre is proud to lead the charge towards sustainability by committing to zero waste initiative,” says Rick Daly, athletic facilities and services manager. “This step reflects our dedication to creating an environmentally responsible space that benefits not only our campus but also the broader Windsor-Essex community.”

The new waste signage invites campus occupants to actively participate in reducing waste and driving change, says sustainability officer Nadia Harduar: “Their involvement is crucial to the success of the program.

“This aligns with the goals of the Campus Sustainability Framework, which sets out campus-wide priorities to reduce waste, lower environmental impact, and promote sustainable operations,” she says.

For more information and to learn where items belong, visit: uwindsor.ca/sustainability/337/waste-reduction-and-recycling.

From the depths of the oceans to the outer reaches of the sky, a menagerie of species take turns in the limelight in a debut collaborative poetry collection by two UWindsor grads.

Mark Laliberte (BFA 1995) and Jade Wallace (MA 2021) write together under the moniker MA|DE. Their new book ZZOO explores the boundaries between human and animal life in four spheres: land, air, sea, and elsewhere.

Published by the Windsor-based Palimpsest Press with five variant covers, ZZOO will enjoy a free public launch at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Biblioasis Bookshop, 1520 Wyandotte St. East.

The event promises guest readings by local author Anne Baldo and UWindsor creative writing professors Louis Cabri and Nicole Markotic.

Spring fitness classes are here, says Mike McMahon: “What better way to connect with those across campus than to spend a little time blowing off some steam?”

Assistant fitness co-ordinator in Lancer Recreation, he invites participants to join invigorating sessions with Gia on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as her brand-new Pilates Party on Fridays. For something more upbeat, try Cardio Kickstart with Renée on Mondays or the new UnDesk Yourself Wednesdays, designed to relieve aches and pains from sustained inaction.

“All the science points to what all instinctively know, a little extra movement throughout the day improves your mood, keeps you healthy and can have profound benefits on sleep and stress levels,” McMahon says.

Operations co-ordinator in the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Operations, Giovanna Abraham is the 2024 recipient of the Mental Health Champion Award. Her mantra “Keep showing up, it’s you making the real magic,” inspires a healthier, more inclusive campus community.

“Make time for yourself, move with purpose, and feel the difference,” she says.

Classes run over the noon hour, Monday through Friday, in the Oak Room, Vanier Hall, and Education Gym. Register today: click here to sign up.

A celebration of community, diversity, and inclusivity is coming this weekend to the Toldo Lancer Centre — and admission is free for UWindsor students.

Organized by the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association and the Rotary Club of Windsor-Wide, #YQG Togetherfest promises a one-stop shop of more than 60 vendors and dozens of entertainers, April 26 and 27.

BANA executive director Luciana Rosu-Sieza says the occasion reflects her organization’s commitment to encourage individuals to be authentic and proud of who they are.

“lt is in this spirit that our two organizations have come together again, with the support of the University of Windsor, to bring a truly unique, multicultural and inclusive event to our community,” says Rosu-Sieza. “We are hoping you’ll join us.”

#YQG Togetherfest will host a variety of accessible opportunities for all ages and backgrounds: crafts, artisans, traditional foods, educational and health-care supports, a games zone, UWindsor programs and other family-friendly activities.

The event will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5, free for those 5 and under as well as students with valid UWindsor ID. Learn more on the event website.