SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

UT Dallas Earth Week

April 14-22, 2023

The UN Sustainable Development Goals are the international framework to guide sustainable development through 17 interconnected goals addressing environmental, social, and economic components of sustainability. Sustainability issues require collaboration and cannot be addressed in a silo. Solutions require the talents and expertise of many people working towards the common goal of a prosperous and sustainable future.

UTD’s 12th annual Earth Week, the Office of Sustainability and the Office of Student Volunteerism focuses on local application of the Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s theme is “Make it Local, Make it Personal” to highlight sustainability efforts at UT Dallas and north central Texas. If your organization, department, or business would like to join UTD’s Earth Week, register for to host an event during the week or a table at Earth Fair. Below you can find a list of our in-person events to make your mark and find your place in sustainability:

* Registration Required

UTD Sustainability Steward Training * [Registration Required]

What: Do you want to display your commitment to keep UTD green? Do you want to improve the viability of the future? Sustainability Steward Training equips students, staff and faculty to implement sustainable practices on campus and in their personal lives.

By placing the Sustainability Steward logo on your computer or office door, you indicate that you value an equitable and efficient campus, strive to live sustainably, advocate for environmental justice and steward the earth.

You can become a Sustainability Steward by attending our three-part training series. This training will equip you with basic knowledge of sustainability and its dimensions. All UT Dallas members are encouraged to participate, ask questions and learn. Qualifying participants will receive a digital certificate and a sticker.

Please note that in order to receive a certificate of achievement, you must attend all three sessions. For questions, please contact sustainability@utdallas.edu.

When:

  • Friday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
  • Friday, April 21, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
  • Friday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location: Virtual - Microsoft Teams

Environmental Justice: Fence-Line Communities Fight Back

What: Climate change and pollution are among today’s most pressing challenges, and they’re intricately connected with the living legacies of white supremacy and economic inequality. Industrial pollution, toxic waste, and the effects of climate change are disproportionately distributed among historically marginalized groups. These groups often live adjacent to fossil fuel and waste processing facilities, as well as other “dirty” industries, which lead to increased risks for negative health consequences such as asthma, lead poisoning, and cancer. Globally, poor and historically disenfranchised communities are on the front lines of the impacts of climate change, from droughts and heat waves to rising sea levels.

Please join the UT Dallas Teach-In Collective and the Office of Sustainability for a special virtual event exploring how environmentalism is connected to racial and socioeconomic justice, in Dallas and beyond. Local hero Marsha Jackson will tell her story of successfully fighting to move a life-threatening mountain of waste in South Dallas. Urban development expert Evelyn Mayo will talk about efforts to convert that toxic site into community green space. Ken Smith, a nationally recognized leader in environmental justice, will share experiences and lessons learned from his work with the Revitalize South Dallas Coalition. And UT Dallas’s Dr. Torrie Cropps, an expert in agriculture, equity, and environmental justice, will moderate the conversation. Come learn from these inspiring local leaders and connect to vital work toward achieving Environmental Justice.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Torrie Cropps,
    Research Scientist and Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas
  • Marsha Jackson,
    PhD Candidate, Co-Chair at Southern Sector Rising
  • Evelyn Mayo,
    AICP, Urban Research Fellow at Paul Quinn College and Co-Chair at Rayo Planning and Downwinders at Risk
  • Ken Smith,
    President of Revitalize South Dallas Coalition

When: Friday, April 14, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual - Microsoft Teams

Community Garden April Workday * [Registration Required]

What: Join us for our fourth Garden Workday of the Semester!

This event is only open to current UTD Community Garden members! If you are interested in volunteering at the garden, you need to complete a Garden Orientation and submit your university forms. Please check back for the Garden Orientation registrations to be posted or reach out to emma.bluestein@utdallas.edu.

When: Saturday, April 15, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Location: UTD Community Garden

Wetland Cleanup and Restoration * [Registration Required]

What: Join the Office of Student Volunteerism and Eco Rep Ian just north of campus at the Canyon Creek Wetland and Wildscape for a cleanup and restoration workday. We’ll be picking up trash that has washed into the wetlands and removing invasive plants.

Tools, gardening gloves, and plant identification education will be provided. No previous experience required. Full-length pants, boots/close-toed shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt are recommended. Please bring drinking water, sunscreen, and insect repellant. If you don’t have any, some will be provided, although there may not be enough for everyone.

When: Monday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location: Meet at the rear parking lot of the Hilton Garden Inn located at 1001 President George Bush Tpke, Richardson, TX 75080

Community Garden Workshops * [Registration Required]

What: Join the Office of Student Volunteerism for an introductory Garden Workshop! Get a tour of the Community Garden and participate in some garden tasks to learn more about the Garden program and environmental programs on campus. Registration on EngageUTD required.

When:

Location: UTD Community Garden

Bee Hive Installations * [Registration Required]

What: Join the Office of Sustainability and Dr. Scott Rippel to install new hives around UTD campus. These hives are maintenanced primarily by students, and the honey produced by the hives is sold 1-2 times a year. Observers will NOT be entering the apiary. Observers will watch from a safe distance outside the fence. Limited spots available.

When:

  • Monday, April 17, 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 18, 12:00 p.m & 4:00 p.m.

Location: UTD Eco Hub Hives

CDI Intentional Art Sustainability

What: Join the Living Learning Communities for an interactive art piece that highlights the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, this event counts towards the Certificate of Diversity and Inclusion offered by LLC [Living Learning Communities] .

When: Monday, April 17, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: Residence Hall West Lobby

Sustainable Eating Luncheon * [Registration Required]

What: Join Office of Sustainability Eco Rep Alisa to learn about sustainable eating. Alisa will be discussing topics such as plant-based diets, organic foods, big agriculture, and more. Limited spots available, registration required.

When: Tuesday, April 18, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: SSA 14.265

UREC Outdoors Clinic: Bike Maintenance/Beginner Biking

What: Come learn how to maintain and repair your bike with UREC Outdoors.

When: Tuesday, April 18, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: Residence Hall South Bike Service Station

Mount Trashmore

What: Join the Office of Sustainability for Mount Trashmore, an annual demonstration of the trash and recycling that the campus uses in a single day. Office of Sustainability staff will be present to answer your questions about recycling and composting on campus, single-use plastics, and reducing your waste.

When: Wednesday, April 19, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Chess Plaza

Pollinator Project * [Registration Required]

What: Join us during earth Week as we tend to one of the University’s pollinator areas and plant milkweed to support pollinator insects like butterflies!

For this project, please meet at the University Roundabout (traffic circle) for check in. We will be walking to the project site (disc golf course gazebo) together. This is an outdoor volunteer project, so please make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Close toed shoes and a hat are strongly encouraged. Sunscreen and bug spray, as well as all necessary gloves and tools for the project will be provided. Please bring a water bottle. Registration in EngageUTD required.

When: Wednesday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Location: University Roundabout at the Intersection of Loop Rd. and University Parkway

Student Government: Hot Comet Walk

What: Join Student Government at the Plinth to take off on a “hot comet” walk to kick off Earth Fair and show your School Spirit! This walk will showcase the natural areas on campus where you can go to decompress, as well as show you a glimpse of what Sustainability looks like on campus. Flowers and clementines will be provided! We will end at the Plinth as the Earth Fair begins. See you there!

When: Thursday, April 20, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location: Plinth

Global Sustainability Experience Finals & Celebration * [Registration Required]

What: The culmination of a series of JSOM [Naveen Jindal School of Management] webinars and workshops where student teams compete to develop business plans relevant to one or more UN SDG [United Nations Sustainable Development Goal] s.

When: Thursday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Location: Davidson Gundy Alumni Center

Earth Fair

What: Join the Office of Sustainability and Office of Student Volunteerism for our annual Earth Fair! We are bringing campus and community sustainability partners to give out more information about UTD and other local sustainability initiatives. Come out to the Plinth from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.!

When: Thursday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: Plinth

Adopt A Highway * [Registration Required]

What: Join us for part of Earth Week, helping to pick up litter along the stretch of adopted highway maintained by UTD OSV! Please wear close toed shoes and weather appropriate clothing like sunglasses and a hat. Vests, gloves, and other supplies will be provided, but we encourage you to bring a water bottle and be ready for the Texas heat. We will be meeting on campus at the SSA Gaming Wall to travel together to the highway stretch. Registration required in EngageUTD.

When: Friday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location: Meet at SSA Gaming Wall

Feminist Maker Space: Plastic Projects

What: In this workshop, learn how to repurpose single use grocery bags by turning them into usable yarn. We will repurpose single use grocery bags by turning them into usable yarn and learn how to crochet a simple coaster. Plastic bags will be available, but people are welcome to bring your own (at least 4 to create a coaster)! We recommend that attendees bring their own hooks (5.5-6.5mm), but we will have a few hooks available to borrow on a first come first serve basis. This workshop aims to teach a new way to repurpose grocery bags, provide an alternative to yarn, and reduce plastic waste.

When: Friday, April 21, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: ATC 1.801b

Eco Hub Workday * [Registration Required]

What: Join us for Earth Day 2023!

The UT Dallas Eco Hub is a half-acre microfarm that grows food for food insecure Comets. We rely on volunteers like you to assist with the day-to-day maintenance of the farm. Volunteers can be expected to perform basic gardening tasks such as weeding, watering, harvesting, planting, and laying mulch. At some workdays, there will be an educational component on basic gardening topics such as seasonal planting, composting, harvesting, fruit tree care, and more.

Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. We work in heat and cold but will cancel in the case of extreme conditions. It is strongly recommended that you bring a snack and a large, filled water bottle. There is no potable water and there are no bathrooms at the Eco Hub. Please plan accordingly.

Please park on campus and walk to the Eco Hub, as there is limited parking at the Eco Hub. More information about transportation options can be found on the Eco Hub website linked above.

When: Saturday, April 22, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location: UTD Eco Hub

Sustainability in Higher Education: Exemplar Panel * [Registration Required]

What: The Office of Sustainability and the Office of Research and Innovation are proud to host sustainability directors from nationally recognized universities for a panel session on sustainability in higher education. Don’t miss the powerful conversation moderated by the School of Economics, Political, and Policy Sciences Dean Jennifer Holmes, featuring Stanford sustainability director Aurora Winslade, University at Buffalo chief sustainability officer Ryan McPherson, University of New Hampshire sustainability project director Jennifer Andrews, and UT Dallas sustainability director Gary Cocke. As we’ve gathered directors from top-notch sustainability programs, we aim to learn from the best in understanding how sustainability elevates the University’s broader mission including curriculum, research, operations, planning, and engagement.

When: Monday, April 24, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location: Blackstone Launchpad

 

Check out our Earth Week digital resource library with content from our community members in order to share our passions, knowledge, talents, interests, and art with one another. We invite all to share and learn as we work towards sustainability!

#UTDEarthWeek

Resources