UNCW Office of Sustainability

Yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of GIS Day, an annual celebration of the innovative geospatial technologies transforming industries worldwide. In honor of GIS Day, I submitted and briefly presented The Seahawk Trail System Story Map during UNCW’s celebration, competing in a friendly GIS competition against six other professionals—and won! I’m grateful to everyone who organized this event and created a space for building connections within the GIS community. If you have not already, check out The Seahawk Trail System -https://lnkd.in/dMXEvR7j and keep an eye out for a few additional trails coming in the next few weeks!!

Happening TODAY!!

A few months ago, I was approached by UNCW’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Felicia Lee, and UNCW Greenhouse Manager, Mia Aguilar, with an exciting challenge: growing produce for 20-25 people for the 1st Annual Applied Learning Garden Harvest Meal. The Garden Club and I recognized what an incredible opportunity this was, eagerly accepted the challenge, and began optimizing our fall garden for maximum production. In partnership with the UNCW Greenhouse, we successfully produced 26.5 pounds of sweet potatoes, root vegetables, leafy greens, and herbs for this one-of-a-kind event. Last night, we saw it all come together in one of the most memorable experiences of my college journey. It was an honor to share my experiences as Garden Club President, network with others in the sustainability community, and enjoy a delicious four-course meal featuring our organically grown produce, expertly prepared by an amazing chef. We’re excited about the future of sustainability at UNCW, and I am proud to be part of it. Special thanks to Lily Bassett and Noah Simmons for all their hard work. As well UNCW Office of Sustainability for putting this all together.

Such an incredible time to celebrate the success of the UNCW Garden Club and all of the people that make these things possible!!

Sustainability Connection is a quarterly forum designed to educate the UNCW community on the latest sustainability initiatives and encourage collaboration across campus. Meredith Hovis, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, will present on her work with the Climate Resilience Lab, highlighting key projects and research initiatives. Following the presentation, we’ll have time for Q&A, group discussions, and networking to explore collaboration opportunities. Thursday, November 21st 3:30-4:30pm?McNeill Hall 1051A Register here:?https://lnkd.in/ecMKiqqk

The annual Sustainability Poster Scholarship Competition is OPEN NOW through November 15th, 2024!! **Note: Your poster must be printed and dropped off to UNCW's Office of Sustainability by the November 15th deadline** This scholarship is awarded to ONE undergraduate and ONE graduate UNCW student that creates a poster which highlights a project, program, or research that supports sustainability. Any student from ALL fields of study are encouraged to apply! Remember that sustainability incorporates ideals of social equity, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality. Application Link: https://lnkd.in/eCvYGddS

We are thrilled to announce that we are hiring Sustainability Peer Educators for the Spring 2025 semester! Sustainability Peer Educators serve as the link between the Office of Sustainability and the campus community by conducting educational programs, volunteer events, and collaborative experiences. This interdisciplinary program is designed for students, regardless of major, who are passionate about advancing sustainability on campus. Hours: 8 Hours/Week Schedule: Flexible! Pay: $11/Hour Start Date: Spring 2025 Application Link: https://lnkd.in/eT3_GT87

We are thrilled to announce the official launch of The Seahawk Trail System! The Seahawk Trail System Includes: #1. Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve: #2. The Tar Kiln Trail #3. The Sustainability Trail The Seahawk Trail System celebrates movement and well-being by encouraging individuals to get outdoors and reconnect with the natural environment. Initiated in 2024, the trail system brings together existing and new paths in one location that allows users the ability to access maps, parking information, history, and educational information all in one place. If you haven’t already, take some time to check out The Seahawk Trail System website. We encourage you to choose a trail and immerse yourself in the stunning natural areas around campus, and enjoy all that our trails have to offer! Choose your adventure today: https://lnkd.in/ep_c52rm

We are excited to announce that UNCW has earned a Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) through their STARS? (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System?) program. This achievement recognizes our ongoing commitment to sustainability across all aspects of our university, including academics, operations, engagement, and more. STARS? is the most widely recognized self-reporting framework for higher education institutions to measure their sustainability performance. The Silver rating highlights the collective efforts of our students, faculty, and staff in making UNCW a more sustainable campus through innovative programs, responsible practices, and a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. View UNCW's Detailed Report Here: https://lnkd.in/e6tFGVGv

There are so many "how to..." questions now that our Seahawks are back on campus and "how to... get involved with SustainDub" is top of the list! Learn three simple ways that you as a student, faculty, or staff can become connected with UNCW's Office of Sustainability throughout this semester. Keep up to date with all new events and programs using WaveLink or the UNCW Website. WaveLink: https://lnkd.in/e2csqfAy UNCW Sustainability Website: https://lnkd.in/ep8HVnjq