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Sustainability Newsletter
September 2025
Back to School / Pollinators
Register to Pursue Sustainability Honors
Are you passionate about building a more sustainable world? Sustainability Honors recognizes graduating students who went above and beyond to engage with and learn more about sustainability during their time at UTD. Students are recognized for their participation in any combination of a variety of engagements which total to 15 points, including coursework, volunteering, leadership, internships, and more! In fact, you may have already earned some points! Graduate and undergraduate students are welcome to participate in this program and will be recognized with graduation regalia. Participants may log events from before their registration in the program if they were enrolled at UT Dallas in their current degree program at the time. Please visit our website to learn more!
Earn Volunteer Hours at the Eco Hub
Luna Farm hosts weekly workdays (usually on Saturday mornings) that are open to all of UTD, including current students, staff, and faculty. Volunteers can be expected to perform basic gardening tasks such as weeding, watering, harvesting, planting, and laying mulch. On some workdays, there will be a formal educational component on basic gardening topics such as seasonal planting, composting, harvesting, fruit tree care, and more. Workday dates and information are located on Engage UTD.
Get the FREE Green Initiative Student Sustainability Guide
The average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, including 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper. As the University grows, UT Dallas places a strong priority on sustainability as we aim to graduate wellrounded citizens whose education has prepared them for rewarding and productive careers in a constantly changing world.
In a recent survey conducted by Student Government, 86% of students said that they would like to see UTD move in a more sustainable direction. The Office of Sustainability utilizes United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to connect students’ education to transdisciplinary application in order to create a more sustainable world. We thank you for your continued support in our efforts to contribute to living more sustainably!
Sustainability in Operations Highlight
Each month, we highlight sustainable features of campus operations
including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management,
and green building practices.
Join the Un-bee-lievable Honey Helpers Program
Students are invited to join Dr. Thompson and our Bee Campus USA Eco Rep in collecting frames of honey during select times of each season. Students put on protective equipment, open the hives, and pull out honey frames. These frames are transported to the lab for processing.
These events allow students to glimpse at the daily workings of bees and beekeepers. Contact sustainability@utdallas.edu to learn more about becoming involved in the Honey Helpers program.
Comet Composting: Moonshot Composting to Resume Full-Service
The University of Texas at Dallas has evolved its composting program from previously targeting only landscape waste, to including pre- and post-consumer food waste, and now to providing students, staff and faculty the opportunity to compost on campus.
Sustainability began a partnership with Moonshot Compost, and compost drop off stations were expanded from three to nine locations, including expanded service to Northside, University Village, residence halls, and the campus core. In order to participate in the program, residents view the online training and complete a short post-quiz. During the training, residents will learn what goes in the compost containers, how to manage individualized food collection caddies.
Important Dates
Honey Helpers Honey Crush
September 12, 19, 26 · 10:00 a.m.
Throughout each semester, the Office of Sustainability hosts events in which students, from all majors, can enter our apiaries and learn about these pollinators in ways they will never forget. These experiences allow students to see bees in managed and wild habitats so that they may learn about the behaviors of bees and the threats that face colonies today. Join Dr. Thompson and the Office of Sustainability in the Fall 2025 Comet Honey Collection events. Register via Engage UTD!
Parks for Pollinators 2025: UT Dallas Campus
September 1-30
Looking to help the pollinator species in our area? We have the perfect event for you!
Download the iNaturalist app and search for the Parks for Pollinators 2025: UT Dallas Campus event under Projects to join. Upload photos of wildlife to learn about pollinators in our area and gather data that is key to understanding how to protect them!
Campus Sustainability Month
October 1-31
Held every October, Campus Sustainability Month (CSM) is an international celebration of sustainability in higher education. The goal of CSM is to raise the visibility of campus sustainability and provide campus sustainability advocates with a platform through which to deepen campus engagement around sustainability. It provides an excellent opportunity to recruit new leaders and set goals for the rest of the year.
UT Dallas is proud to participate in AASHE Campus Sustainability Month! The Office of Sustainability hosts events to raise awareness of the value of sustainability in higher education. Hours for each event are applicable to UTD Sustainability Honors.
Office of Sustainability
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The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080-3021
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