The Sustainability Office has planned three outdoor events leading up to Earth Day, April 22. Events are open to any student, staff or faculty member who would like to participate and would be great opportunities for team-building or meeting other Niners.
Earth Month, typically celebrated in April, is a spring semester tradition for the campus community to participate in events that positively impact the environment. Earth Day was first acknowledged in 1970 and has grown into month-long awareness. Activities on campus begin in March because that is the ideal time to plant trees in the spring. Events also are held earlier to accommodate student schedules and end-of-semester commitments.
The campus tree planting is the first event, and will be Monday, March 21, starting at 9 a.m. along the greenway near the C.O.R.E. outdoor fitness center, located between Belk Hall and the football stadium. Volunteers will plant trees provided by the Grounds Department and Trees Charlotte with expert instruction from the campus arborist and other staff. Gloves and other equipment will be provided. Registration is required for this popular event, so sign up early.
Following the tree planting, the Sustainability Office will hold a campus cleanup Wednesday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants can meet at either supply location — the McMillan Greenhouse at the corner of Mary Alexander and Craver Road or in front of the Motorsports Research building. Gloves, litter sticks, hand sanitizer and bags will be provided. Staff will direct volunteers to areas of campus beyond the usual routes of the University’s diligent groundskeepers. Volunteers are encouraged to register, but walkup participants are welcome.
The final Earth Month event will be the return of student garden day Friday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s projects are focused on gardens behind the Jamil Niner Student Pantry, beds near Robinson Hall and the pollinator bed near the McEniry Building. Volunteers are asked to register for specific locations and times.
Earth Month can be celebrated by attending the Spring Plant Sale at the Botanical Gardens, participating in the School of Architecture’s 50th anniversary colloquia or supporting the community through a blood drive. Learn more about these events and campus sustainability at sustainability.charlotte.edu.