The 52nd Earth Day is right around the corner and this year Spartans have a lot to celebrate!
UNCG recently received a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “UNC Greensboro has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
“Sustainability encompasses all aspects of university academics and operations,” said Sean MacInnes, UNCG Sustainability Specialist. “We have over 100 faculty who conduct sustainability related research and teach more than 350 sustainability related courses. Operationally, we’ve reduced our carbon footprint by 25% since 2009 and have achieved significant financial savings in the process. Spartans should be proud to be part of a community that recognizes our shared fate as we face an unprecedented climate crisis. But we can’t rest on our laurels. There’s more work to be done and every day is an opportunity for Spartans to contribute in our effort to become carbon neutral and zero waste by 2050.”
If Spartans are looking for something good to do for the environment and for their community, they can join an environmental student club, participate in the Green Room and Green Office Certification programs, take UNCG’s commuter survey, and visit the Office of Sustainability website or UNCG Mobile app for tips on recycling, eco-friendly shopping, and more.
Watch this video to see UNCG’s great steps forward to achieve sustainability.
UNCG is hosting a variety of in-person and virtual events throughout the week of April 18 to celebrate Earth Day. Here are some of the highlights:
Social & Environmental Determinants of Health in Latino Communities
April 14
In this talk, Dr. Sandra E. Echeverria, Public Health Education, will provide an overview of social and environmental determinants shaping health in Latino communities with a specific focus on physical activity inequities for Latino groups. She will outline future research directions needed to advance health in Latin American origin and other socially marginalized groups.
It will be held on Zoom at 12:00 p.m.
Click here to register.
Campus Nature Challenge
All week! April 18-24
The Campus Nature Challenge returns for a 2nd year! The goal of the challenge is to engage our UNC Greensboro campus community in a citizen science project to increase biodiversity awareness by photographing, recording audio, and cataloging the plants, animals (including insects), and fungi on campus.
For one week (April 18-24), UNCG students and employees will be asked to use the iNaturalist app to identify as many species across campus as they can. Supported by a grant from the UNCG Green Fund, student participants will be eligible to win prizes including a bicycle, tent, hammock, and gift cards which will be awarded for the most observations identified, the greatest number of species identified, and best photos. While only students are eligible to win prizes, UNCG employees are still encouraged to participate in the project.
We’re partnering with UNCG Libraries to make this year’s challenge even better! Sign-up for an iNaturalist workshop on April 18th at 2 p.m. Visit our website for official guidelines.
Campus Tree Planting
Tuesday, April 19, 12:30 p.m. at Foust Park
Join the Office of Sustainability and Facilities Grounds crew as we celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with our annual tree planting event! Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about our operations and what it takes to earn our nationally recognized Tree Campus Higher Education designation.
UNCG Earth Day Fair
Thursday, April 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at McIver Statue on College Ave.
Join the Office of Sustainability, student environmental clubs, and other campus sustainability partners as we celebrate Earth Day! Stop by our tables and learn everything there is to know about sustainability on campus!
Loved Clothes Last
Friday, April 22, 3-7 p.m. at 326 Tate St. (UNCG Costume Shop)
Clothing swap and alteration station! Stop by and swap out old clothes for some new duds. Upcycle something loved into something spicy! Inspired by the idea of other community DIY making and mending events, this project is titled REPAIR, REWEAR and RECONNECT Project, part of a series of pop-up events working with the community to extend the life of the clothes in their closets and keep discarded fashions out of the waste stream. More information can be found online. Follow on Instagram
Climate Change and Adaptation to Social-ecological Change: Insights from Indigenous Communities in the Global North and South
Friday, April 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom
The Department of Geography, Environment and Sustainability welcomes Dr. Eranga Galappaththi, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Virginia Tech, to discuss climate change adaptation, with a major focus on how Indigenous communities and their local food systems experience and adjust to change. Register here. Register here.
Dye It Up!
Saturday, April 23, 3-7 p.m. at 326 Tate St. (UNCG Costume Shop)
Celebrate the School of Theatre Centennial with tie dye. Bring 100% cotton shirts for a community tie dye event next to Taylor Theatre Building. Inspired by the idea of other community DIY making and mending events, this project is titled REPAIR, REWEAR and RECONNECT Project, part of a series of pop-up events working with the community to extend the life of the clothes in their closets and keep discarded fashions out of the waste stream. More information can be found online. Follow on Instagram
