Outreach and Events
The Office of Sustainability holds several events and contests throughout the academic year to educate students, faculty and staff about sustainability initiatives on campus, how to live more sustainably and encourage them to participate in the sustainability movement on campus. Below are some of our regular events that the Office hosts thoughout the year.
Student Center Lunch and Learn Series:
The Student Center Sustainability Committee, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, proudly hosts a monthly Lunch & Learn Series designed to engage and inspire students through meaningful conversations surrounding sustainability. These interactive events provide students with the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary lunch while hearing from knowledgeable speakers and organizations presenting on sustainability-focused topics connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Throughout the series, we have welcomed a diverse range of presenters, including community organizations such as Value Village, Houston Bat Conservancy, Houston Botanic Garden, and Urban Paths, alongside several of the University of Houston’s own faculty and staff members who share insights from their areas of expertise.
Held once each month in the Student Center Multipurpose Room, the Lunch & Learn Series creates an inviting space for students to connect, learn, and explore real-world sustainability initiatives impacting both the campus and the broader community. Check back in August for an updated schedule and a full list of upcoming event dates.
Annual Campus Earth Week
Campus Earth Week is an annual celebration held each April to recognize Earth Week and promote sustainability across the University of Houston community. The week brings together campus departments and community partners, including UH Dining Services, UH Wellness, UH Coastal Center, Institute for Environmental Resilience, UH Energy, Facilities, and Student Housing & Residential Life, to create engaging events and educational opportunities centered around environmental awareness and sustainable living.
Throughout the week, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to connect with nature, learn about sustainability initiatives, and incorporate more environmentally mindful practices into their daily routines. Activities have included tree plantings, campus clean-ups, sustainability movie nights, the Earth Week Farmers Market, and creative events such as tie-dying reusable tote bags and t-shirts.
Campus Earth Week serves as an opportunity for the UH community to come together, celebrate sustainability efforts on campus, and inspire positive environmental action both on and off campus.
Makers Market
The UH Makers’ Market, hosted by UH Dining, at the University of Houston provides students, faculty, and staff with a convenient and engaging opportunity to support local vendors while shopping for fresh, locally sourced, and handcrafted products right on campus. Designed to foster community connection and promote small businesses, the market features a variety of food items, artisan goods, and specialty products created by local makers and entrepreneurs.
Hosted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Butler Plaza, located outside of the MD Anderson Library, the market creates a vibrant campus atmosphere where attendees can explore unique offerings without having to leave campus. TheUH Makers’ Market encourages the campus community to shop sustainably, support local economies, and discover businesses rooted in the Houston area.
Campus Clean-Ups with the Mettropolitan Volunteer Program
The Office of Sustainability partners with the Metropolitan Volunteer Program to host campus clean-up events throughout the semester. These events give students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to help keep the University of Houston campus clean while supporting sustainability efforts through hands-on community service.
Volunteers work together to pick up litter and help maintain campus spaces, creating a cleaner and more welcoming environment for everyone. In addition to campus clean-ups, the Metropolitan Volunteer Program hosts a variety of volunteer and service events throughout the semester that support both the university and the Houston community.
Be sure to check their event calendar during the semester for upcoming opportunities to get involved.
Plantings with UH Wellness
Planting Events with UH Wellness
In partnership with UH Wellness, the Office of Sustainability hosts interactive planting
events once each semester that encourage students to connect with nature and bring
more greenery into their everyday spaces.
Students are invited to stop by to pot their own plants, pick up plant cuttings or seeds, and spend time digging in the soil while learning about the benefits of plants and sustainable living. These events provide a relaxing, hands-on opportunity to slow down, connect with others, and create something they can take home and continue to grow.
Keep tabs on the UH Sustainability Instagram and the UH Wellness Instagram for updates and announcements about future planting events and other sustainability-focused activities. 🌱