UNCG celebrates Earth Day

Posted on April 19, 2021

Tulips near the School of Music Building
Tulips near the School of Music Building

Thursday marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day and the birth of the modern environmental movement. 

UNC Greensboro is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly universities in the U.S. by the Princeton Review and Sierra Club Cool Schools. At UNCG, sustainability is defined as the enduring interconnectedness of social equity, the environment, economy, and aesthetics, providing a foundation from which to discover, implement, and enrich sustainable principles and practices that promote and instill justice, civility, and grace in our communities.

“I think Earth Day is an important time to celebrate our community,” said Sean MacInnes, sustainability specialist in the Office of Sustainability. “News about climate change and global warming can be overwhelming. Because of that, we frequently lose sight of all the people who are doing something positive for the environment every day – whether that’s gardening, riding your bike, installing LED light bulbs, shopping at farmers’ markets, or just educating ourselves on environmental issues. These individual actions, in and of themselves, bring people joy and add up to make a significant impact.”

If Spartans are looking for something good to do for the environment and for their community, they can join an environmental student club, participate in the Green Room and Green Office Certification programs, take UNCG’s commuter survey, and visit the Office of Sustainability website or UNCG Mobile app for tips on recycling, eco-friendly shopping, and more.

UNCG is also hosting a variety of in-person and virtual events throughout the week to celebrate Earth Day. Here are some of the highlights:

Sustainability Film & Discussion Series: Before the Flood
April 20, 5:30 p.m.

As a Climate Resilience Hub, University Libraries will be hosting a virtual showing of National Geographic’s Before the Flood along with a post-film discussion. Register for the event via Zoom here.

Arbor Day Tree Planting
April 22, 1 p.m.

Join the UNCG Grounds Department and the Office of Sustainability at the southwest corner of Kaplan Commons (Elliott University Center lawn) as they plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day and the University’s 12th year of being recognized as a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Sustainability in Business Expo
April 22, 9 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.

Join faculty, students, alumni, business owners, and other professionals for a day of discovery and virtual dialogue presented by the Bryan School of Business & Economics’ Virtual Collaboratory for Sustainable Business Practices. This daylong series of panels and presentations will highlight the diverse ways that sustainability can be woven into the theory and practice of business across industry sectors and organizational contexts.

This is a community-wide event, and each virtual session has a capacity limited to the first 300 people to join. Students can earn class credit for attending. Register for sessions via Zoom here.

Day Hike
April 24, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Spend your Saturday with Student Affairs at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Register with Recreation & Wellness’ Outdoor Adventures by April 21 to secure your spot on the trip. The cost to attend is $5. 

Earth Day Celebration at Piney Lake
April 25, 12 – 4 p.m.

Celebrate Earth Day at Piney Lake this year with a variety of free activities such as painting recycling bins, gardening, and live music. No registration is needed, but bring your face covering and Spartan ID. Shuttles will be available from the EUC circle. More information about the event is available here.

Photography by Martin W. Kane, University Communications

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