A successful Earth Month
Seventy-five University departments, student groups and external organizations came together during Earth Month to host and participate in numerous successful events.
The campus community gained awareness about sustainability initiatives, were invited to assist in beautification efforts and celebrated the natural environment. Here are some of the highlights.
Cleaning and Cultivating Campus Beauty
UNC Charlotte’s primary volunteer-based events, Campus Beautification Day and Student Garden Day, drew 150 volunteers.
During Campus Beautification Day, Wednesday, April 16, volunteers collected 125 pounds of waste — 63 pounds of trash, 32 pounds of bottles/cans, 21 pounds of bulky materials and nine pounds of compost. Niners also planted tree saplings at Greek Village, adding to Charlotte’s greenery in time for spring.
During Student Garden Day, Niners tended to the student, staff, pollinator and Niner Pantry gardens, learning the value of growing vegetation and the importance of native fauna.
Twenty-three campus organizations hosted Adopt-a-Spot cleanups throughout the month of April, doing their part to keep campus pristine.
Sustainability Education at Charlotte and Beyond
Campus researchers and student representatives spoke about sustainability efforts on campus and beyond at the Student Sustainability Summit, Wednesday, March 26, hosted by the Office of Sustainability, Charlotte Green Initiative and the Student Government Association.
Keynote speakers Heather Brent, community arborist and educator from TreesCharlotte, and Sara Gagné, chair of the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences at UNC Charlotte, spoke specifically about the surrounding tree canopy and biodiversity on campus and in the Charlotte region.
Six off-campus groups were represented in film screenings and panel discussions, initiating thought-provoking conversations about environmental change, conservation and sustainable agriculture. Campus community members also experienced sustainability initiatives up close during the Earth Month Tour Series. Walking groups saw how UNC Charlotte approaches recycling, water resources and more.
Celebrating and Championing the Natural World
Tents representing 42 organizations lined Belk Plaza Thursday, April 3, for UNC Charlotte’s annual Earth Day Festival. Student organizations, University departments and community partners engaged with the campus community and illuminated environmental initiatives in the local community.
The Party for the Planet attracted throngs of Niners, who completed craft projects, sang and petted alpacas.
Visit the Office of Sustainability website for more information on how students, staff and faculty can get involved in sustainability efforts on campus.