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Contact UsCampus Sustainability
October 5, 2020
Yen Pham, Eco Rep
Caitlin Griffith, Sustainability Coordinator
UT Dallas is proud to participate in AASHE Campus Sustainability Month! AASHE [Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education] stands for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. We use AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS [Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System] ) to track our university’s progress in sustainability. We are currently ranked the highest in North Texas with a STARS Gold rating!
In celebration of Campus Sustainability Month, the Office of Sustainability will be hosting virtual events that celebrate and raise awareness of the value of sustainability in higher education through the month of October. Hours for each event are applicable to UTD Sustainability Service Honors.
Campus Sustainability Month events include the following:
Virtual BioBlitz
October 5–11
The goal of a bioblitz is to identify as many species as possible in a specific area using the iNaturalist app. A bioblitz uses iNaturalist, a citizen-science app developed by Cornell University to help understand biodiversity of local environments. Participants take photos of flora and fauna found in their local ecosystem. That information then uploads to the iNaturalist database. Researchers use this data to track biodiversity and population trends. Biodiversity is vital to ecosystem health and understanding it is important to sustainability efforts!
The Virtual BioBlitz will encourage participants to explore their neighborhood and campus and help scientists wherever they are. The event will take place virtually from October 5 to October 11, with the results of the event being released on October 12. Keep an eye on @utd_ecoreps & @utd_sustainability on Instagram for updates! Hours for this event count toward the UTD Sustainability Service Honors.
Conservation Conversations: a Policy Perspective
October 7, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Environmentalism and sustainability are often seen as a highly polarizing issues with limited policy solutions. However, the environmental movement is for those of all political affiliations. With the help of distinguished guest speakers, this event aims to increase education about historical and current examples of bipartisan coordination in environmental politics. The event will take place virtually on Wednesday, October 7 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Hours for this event count toward the UTD Sustainability Service Honors. Keep an eye on @utd_ecoreps &@utd_sustainability on Instagram for updates!
Green Convene
October 8, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Green Convene is a virtual meeting of sustainability-oriented student clubs, professional organizations, and university sponsored groups to discuss goals in sustainability, cross-recruit members, and propose collaborative initiatives. This event intends to foster inter-group communication and collaboration while promoting all aspects of sustainability. The event will be held virtually on Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hours for this event count toward the UTD Sustainability Service Honors.
Comet Calendar | Interest Form
Bee Balcony Workshops
October 16, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
November 20, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pollinators need your help! Participating students will learn about how to start their own home gardens to support local pollinators. The event will discuss topics such as creating upcycled planters, utilizing native pollinator plants, and taking care of seedlings. We hosted a workshop on Friday, September 18 regarding upcycling planters, sustainable planter sourcing, how to get trustworthy seeds, and basic planting. The second workshop will be held on Friday, October 16 at 4:00 p.m with a discussion on germination, large container planting, seeding care, and watering (Comet Calendar | Register). The third workshop will be held on Friday, November 20 at 4:00 p.m. with an explanation of maintenance, pollinator plants, and frost and winter-protection (Comet Calendar | Register). Keep an eye on @utd_ecoreps & @utd_sustainability on Instagram for updates! Hours for this event count toward the UTD Sustainability Service Honors.
Zero Waste Trivia Night
October 23, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Come compete as an individual or with your team in UTD’s first ever Zero Waste Trivia Night. Categories include Recycling, Plastic Waste, and Eco-Friendly Living. The event will be held on Friday, October 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Follow @utd_ecoreps & @utd_sustainability on Instagram for more updates!
You, Me, and Sustainability: a Student Speaker Series
November 5, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This series will highlight sustainability student leaders that are current UT Dallas students and alumni. Speakers will talk about their activities and achievements as students, covering UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG [Sustainability Development Goal] s) from climate action to reducing inequalities. After each speaker’s presentation, there will be a question and answer portion. This event is designed to encourage students to apply their knowledge to addressing sustainable development now! The event will be held on Thursday, November 5 at 4:00 p.m. Hours for this event count toward the UTD Sustainability Service Honors. Keep an eye on @utd_ecoreps & @utd_sustainability on Instagram for updates!
Watershed Warriors
The socially distant version of Campus Cleanup! Students can volunteer to clean up litter on campus all semester long on an individual basis after signing up online. This is a great way for students to help on campus while staying socially distant! Sign up for the Watershed Warriors program. Hours for this event count toward the UTD Sustainability Service Honors.
Gardening Week with UTD Community Garden
OSV [Office of Student Volunteerism] Student Leader Emma Bluestein enjoys the UT Dallas Community Garden
Socially distant volunteering at the Community Garden! Contact the Office of Student Volunteerism to get involved. Hours spent gardening count toward the UTD Sustainability Service Honors.