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Sustainability Newsletter

April 2023

Celebrate Earth Week!

Join us for Earth Week!

Each year, the UT Dallas community comes together to celebrate sustainability through interactive and educational events and programs during Earth Week. Earth Week 2023 is a great opportunity to come together to focus on sustainability and service applying this year’s theme “Make it Local, Make it Personal”. The Office of Sustainability and the Office of Student Volunteerism are hosting Earth Week from April 14-22 with over 15 different events to get involved in. From community clean-up events and gardening activities to educational exhibits and Earth Fair, there will be something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the exciting events planned, fill your calendars using with the schedule of events!

The Buzz on Comet Honey: Honey Sale and Art Contest

Comet Honey is back! This honey is made by bees on the UT Dallas campus and bottled by student volunteers throughout the year. Purchase a bottle at the Student Union On the Go area located beside the Comet Café on Tuesday, April 11, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Comet Honey will be sold for $5 and is first come first served while supplies last with a limit of two bottles.

The Office of Sustainability is hosting a contest to give students the opportunity to redesign our comet honey label! If you are interested in having your artwork featured on our honey bottles next year, learn more and enter using the Comet Honey Label Art Contest Form. Entries will be received from April 2-24 and the winner will be announced in early May.

Make sure to come to Earth Fair on April 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as Eve Gersh, Bee Campus USA Eco Rep, and Dr. Scott Rippel display a hive from inside a bee tent and provide Comet Honey samples.

Eco Reps for Hire

Eco Reps are compensated part-time student employees in the Office of Sustainability. They create their own schedules and work on a variety of different projects to promote sustainability around campus. We are hiring two Eco Rep positions for a summer or fall 2023 start:

The Bicycle Friendly University Eco Rep works on projects related to bicycle education and infrastructure on campus. These projects might include information campaigns, group rides, maintenance clinics, campus and community collaborations, and data compilation for our 2024 Bicycle Friendly University resubmission. Must be able to ride a bike and must own or be able to obtain their own bike.

The Environmental Justice Eco Rep works on education and outreach campaigns related to environmental justice. Examples of projects that can be completed include EJ book clubs, teach ins, and course lists.

If you are interested in either position or have questions about the program, please contact avery.mckitrick@utdallas.edu.

Members of the Office of Sustainability
Spent Spring Break Serving

Four members of the Office of Sustainability spent their Spring Break serving! Alternative Spring Break is an immersive week of hands-on service, leadership-building and relationship building supplemented with education and reflections. Staff member Avery McKitrick, and Eco Reps Mohini Shanker and Gwen Schaulis attended a trip focused on Housing and Environmental Justice in New Orleans, Louisiana. Eco Rep Anna Reid joined a trip on Park Maintenance and Preservation in Orcas Island, Washington. Read more about how members of the Office of Sustainability served communities across the U.S.

The Greenhouse

Updates to the UT Dallas Eco Rep Blog

The Best Nature Spots Near UTD

Do you want to spend more time outdoors and interacting with nature? Ian lists his favorite nature spots near campus.

Head to the Greenhouse! >

Composting: The Sustainable Superpower
for Your Garden

Curious to learn about how to start composting? Prashanth details how to start and maintain a healthy compost bin.

Head to the Greenhouse! >

The Willow Project
is Closer to Home
Than We Think

An oil drilling project on the Alaska North Slope was recently authorized. Mohini explains why this is closer to us than we think.

Head to the Greenhouse! >

More than a Buzz: Bee Swarms Carry as much Electrical Charge as a Thunderstorm

A swarm of bees has a bigger impact than you think! Eve describes how honeybees carry an electric charge.

Head to the Greenhouse! >

Sustainability Service Honors Highlight

Each month, we highlight Comets who give back to their communities through service. You can register for Sustainability Service Honors to be recognized for your service on the Sustainability website.

Volunteer of the Month: CC Crocker (she/her/hers)

Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Biology

Graduation Date: Spring 2023

Why she volunteers: l feel that no student should have their education impacted by unexpected periods, and this is one small way that I can work to prevent that. So, I volunteer by refilling free pads and tampons in the baskets in bathrooms on campus each week.

Favorite volunteering experience: Getting messages from students saying that the menstrual products in the baskets really saved them in a time of need and that they were able to continue with their classes and/or activities on campus without having to go home or to the store for products! It really makes my day to know that we helped even one person. If anyone wants to get involved with menstrual equity efforts, follow @utd_deeds on Instagram! Huge thank you to the Galerstein Gender Center for providing the products that we restock as well!