Earth Week 2023 - University of Houston
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Office of Sustainability

Earth Week at UH: April 17-21, 2023

THANK YOU for an amazing Earth Week!

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating the importance of sustainability. From engaging events to enlightening discussions, Earth Week 2023 was a truly inspiring experience.

This year, we diverted 2,192 pounds of electronic waste, hosted 35 vendors at the Farmers Market, partnered with 9 campus departments and organizations, and planted 7 native trees on campus.

Check out pictures from the events below!

Monday, April 17

  • E-Waste Collection

    E-Waste Collection

    8am-12pm

    Student Center | Circle Drive

    Cords, computers, controllers, oh my! Bring your unwanted electronic items to be recycled through Bass Computer Recycling, brought to you by the Office of Sustainability and UH Student Centers. Find a list of acceptable items here. 

  • Ecology Bioblitz

    Ecology Bioblitz

    1pm-3pm

    Shasta's Pocket Prairie

    Join the UH Coastal Center and the Department of Biology and Biochemistry in an ecology bioblitz around campus, starting at Shasta's Pocket Prairie. Locate and identify as many plant, animal, and insect species as you can. Please download the iNaturalist app before you arrive. 

Tuesday, April 18

  • Food Waste Audit

    Food Waste Audit

    11am-2pm

    Cougar Woods Dining Hall

    Did you know that Cougar Woods Dining Hall composts all of its food waste? The UH Dining team along with Zero Waste Houston will walk students through the life of their food waste while performing an assessment of how much food is actually being thrown away during lunch time.

  • Lunch and Learn

    Lunch and Learn

    12pm-1pm

    Student Center South | Multipurpose Room

    Join the Student Centers Sustainability Lunch & Learn to hear a presentation from the Houston Audubon! Learn about bird conservation and how you can get involved while enjoying a free lunch. Registration is limited to 100 students, so make sure to sign up early.

  • Expiration Date Workshop and Food Drive

    Trash to Treat: The Truth Behind Expiration Dates

    2pm-3pm

    Student Center South | Heights Room

    Every year, countless pounds of safe food are wasted due to misinformation surrounding expiration dates. Join the Cougar Cupboard, the University of Houston's free food pantry, in a discussion and Jeopardy game surrounding what these dates actually mean and what we can do to prevent waste. 

Wednesday, April 19

  • Farmers Market

    Farmers Market

    11 am-3 pm

    Student Center North Lawn

    Join UH Dining and student organizations for a special Farmers Market that highlights sustainable products and practices. Make sure to bring your reusable shopping bag!

  • Cougar Closet Clothing Repair Workshop

    Cougar Closet Clothing Repair Workshop

    1pm-2pm

    Student Center South | Bayou Room

    The Cougar Closet is a communal closet for all UH students. Come learn how to repair your clothes and why thrifting and mending are sustainable practices!

Thursday, April 20

  • Coastal Center Presentation

    UH Coastal Center Presentation

    11am-12pm

    Student Center South | South Midtown Room

    The Coastal Center is UH's best kept secret. Come learn about the UH Coastal Center and its conservation efforts during this presentation by Program Director Evelyn Merz.

  • Carbon Foodprint Activity

    Carbon Foodprint Activity

    11am-2pm

    Moody Dining Hall

    UH Dining has recently implemented "How Good," a rating system that determines recipes' carbon impacts. Walk through Moody Dining hall to try dishes with smaller "foodprints."

Friday, April 21

  • Shasta's Prairie Volunteering

    Shasta's Prairie Volunteering

    9am-11am

    Shasta's Pocket Prairie

    Volunteer with UH Coastal Center leadership and the Biology and Biochemistry faculty to clean up Shasta's Pocket Prairie. Learn about native prairie plants and what it takes to maintain the space on campus. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. RSVP here.

     

  • Tree Planting + Earth Week Picnic

    Tree Planting + Earth Week Picnic

    11am-1pm

    General Services Building Lawn

    Get your hands dirty with the Office of Sustainability and MVP to plant large native trees on campus. All volunteers will receive a free Earth Week T-shirt. RSVP before April 20th.

    And pack a lunch, because once the work is done, we will have a picnic to wrap up Earth Week! Enjoy complimentary snacks, drinks and games in the breeze under our newly-planted trees. 

Questions? Feedback? Contact us!
 
University of Houston  |  Office of Sustainability
4211 Elgin Street  |  General Services Building, Room 207  |  Houston, TX 77204-5013
713-743-2110  |  sustainability@uh.edu