A MONTH IN ACTION
Campus Sustainability Month is an international initiative celebrated in October, encouraging universities to focus on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Throughout the month, universities host various events to engage their campus communities and inspire action toward sustainability. The goal is to raise awareness about sustainability practices while fostering a sense of responsibility among students, faculty, and staff.
University of California, Davis
UC Davis emphasized the "three pillars of sustainability"—social, economic, and environmental. They hosted a Clean Air Day event, focusing on the benefits of clean air and encouraging outdoor activities to promote health and well-being. They also held reflection sessions and activities promoting climate action.
Concordia University
Concordia took a community-centered approach, with events like Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Week, which involved volunteering at campus gardens and celebrating the fall harvest. Their Wellness Week coincided with the university’s midterm break, offering mental health-focused activities.
James Madison University
JMU celebrated with a wide range of events, from a Cool Food Meals initiative featuring low-carbon recipes in dining halls to an Egg Drop Competition demonstrating sustainable engineering practices. They also held climate resilience discussions and hosted a portrait exhibit on courageous citizenship.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech hosted sustainability-focused events throughout the month, including workshops, film screenings, and student-led discussions on sustainability innovations. They also held a nature walk and tree planting to emphasize environmental care and biodiversity.
EVENT OVERVIEW
Campus Sustainability Day took place October 9 and 10, a day to celebrate sustainability initiatives and resources available to UTRGV students at Edinburg and Brownsville.
Campus Sustainability Day brings together other departments at UTRGV to showcase their participation in raising awareness and
Exhibitors:
Talk About It Campus Conversations
Center for Community Resilience Research Innovation and Advocacy
School of Earth, Environmental and Marine SciencesSEEMS (Environmental Science/ Geology)
UTRGV Agroecology
School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences (SIBCS), College of Sciences.
UTRGV Student Accessibility Services
Sea Turtle Inc.
Integrated Health Science Student Association (IHSSA)
Student Parents Success Organization (SPSO)
Throughout the two-day event, students, departments, and attendees participated in a variety of activities, informational booths, and exchange of knowledgeable discussions. With the end purpose, raising awareness to inspire the present generation to act on minimizing challenges Earth currently faces.
EVENT OVERVIEW EVENT OVERVIEW
The participation of departments such as the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences (SEEMS) engaged students in available programs and the science behind rocks, minerals, gemstones galore. Their collaboration with Bee Campus USA joins the urgency to conserve native plants for sustainability.
At UTRGV, Agroecology is the study of the ecology of food systems, one of their educational resources includes The Hub of Prosperity. They delve their time into growing their own food and host agricultural workshops at their 5-acre research and education farm located at the Edinburg First United Methodist Church.
VAQUERO VOICES
“Through small changes in our daily habits, like reducing plastic use and conserving energy, we can collectively make a huge difference. At GEOLOGY Courses, we’re committed to empowering students and staff to be part of that change."
– Sarah Fearnley Hardage, Lecturer III SEEMS
"I had never really thought about sustainability until this event. Now, I realize it's about protecting what we have and making smarter decisions every day – for ourselves and future generations."
“In my own life, I try to be mindful of small changes – like using reusable bags, cutting down on single-use plastics, and conserving energy. It may seem small, but these habits build up to something much bigger over time."
– UTRGV Agroecology Club
– Neftaly, UTRGV Student
“What really stood out to me was the goal to tackle poverty through education and community support. It’s inspiring to see that our university is involved in helping those in need, and I want to be part of that change."
–
"The focus on gender equality was powerful. It reminded me that achieving equality isn’t just a women’s issue – it’s everyone’s issue. I’m motivated to support initiatives on campus that promote equality in education, leadership, and beyond."
– Mia, UTRGV Student
Audrey, UTRGV Student, UTRGV Agroecology Club
Booths included 40% UTRGV departments, 27% student organizations, and 33% external stakeholders, fostering a collaborative exchange on sustainability across campus and community partners.
The event drew 523 students, 51 staff, and 32 faculty members, showcasing strong campus engagement.
THANK YOU VAQUEROS
Thank you to all the students, staff, and faculty who made Campus Sustainability Day 2024 such an incredible event! Your energy, creativity, and passion for change remind us that sustainability is something we build together. Every conversation, activity, and idea shared over these two days brought us closer to making UTRGV a greener and more resilient community.
We’d love to see even more of you next year! Whether you're ready to table, partner with us, or explore new ways your group can make an impact, there’s always room at the table. Every person and organization can play a role in achieving our shared sustainability goals. Together, small actions add up to big changes.
Remember, sustainability doesn’t end with this event, it’s a mindset we carry with us every day. Let’s keep working, collaborating, and inspiring each other throughout the year. The progress we make together today will shape the future we all share.
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!