Earth Day celebrations on Campus fuel passion for the environment –

The festival recommended booths hosted by campus departments such as the UNC Office of Waste Reduction and recycling, Carolina Eateries, UNC Rainwater And UNC transportation and parking.

Elliott said that this year’s Festival on the Green Roof was a celebration of sustainability initiatives on campus over the past year.

She said the various events throughout the month highlight the efforts of those who have ‘boots on the ground’ and do the work the campus needs while encouraging students to do the same.

One table, organized by UNC Stormwater, displayed a poster highlighting student activities that negatively impact the environment and harm local creeks.

“We are responsible for ensuring compliance with surface water regulations – so that means pollution prevention, education and training and outreach to help students and staff learn how to avoid causing pollution that affects surface water and leaks around campus causes,” Janet Clarkean environmental compliance officer for UNC, said.

Another table, hosted by UNC Transportation and Parking, promoted sustainable travel options and the Commuter Alternative program — a reward program for people without a campus parking permit.

The stall offered bicycle water bottle cages and bicycle vests to encourage students to turn to sustainable commuting options.

“It’s about certainly reducing people’s dependence on cars, and trying to at least get people on the bus, or, you know, at the most walking and cycling; even if it takes some extra effort,” Landon Coleythe transport planner for the office, said.

Abigail Brewerthe communications and engagement specialist for Sustainable Carolina, said the best way for students to get involved in sustainability at UNC is to meet people.

Like a hub for campus sustainabilitySustainable Carolina’s website showed events hosted by other campus organizations in April.

One such event was a mindfulness walk by the Coker Arboretum and peaceful paintings organized by the UNC LGBTQ Center in combination with North Carolina Botanical Garden as part of UNC’s Pride Week.

Andreas Prevattethe center’s administrative support specialist, said that the event was an extension of this year’s Pride Week theme of reconnecting with community and regrounding.

She said the walk – a tour of the Coker Arboretum led by a member of the NCBG – and painting session is designed in a unique way so that students can interact with nature.

For Flanagan, these events are a way to spark interest in environmental action and policy among students.

“We’re in college, we have a lot of passions — we think about different policies,” she says said. “We are learning new things about how to change the world around us, especially when it comes to the environment and politics.”

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