Events: Every Day is Earth Day

Sustainability at University of Richmond is exhibited in the everyday lives of faculty, staff, and students, as well as in events that bring our community together.

Each year, the University participates in the RVA Environmental Film Festival, showing films that are free and open to the public in this city-wide event. During International Education Week in the fall, members of the campus community can adopt individual actions while learning about global sustainability through an online Ecochallenge. In the spring, the Office for Sustainability hosts a dinner honoring members of the campus community for their efforts supporting sustainability at University of Richmond. At the end of each spring semester, the University puts on the Big Yard Sale to benefit the Falls of the James Sierra Club. These are just a few annual events that support the University’s priority of environmental stewardship

In addition to exploring annual events through these pages, you can also look over some green event tips that we've put together for you. No matter what kind of event you're hosting, we want it to be more sustainable.

Spring 2026 Garden Workshops

Joseph Day, the Office for Sustainability's Natural Areas Steward, will be leading a series of workshops this spring designed to help gardeners enhance their skills on a variety of topics. 

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  • January 20: How to Sow Seeds
    Location: Abby’s Garden
    Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Learn to sow spinach and other leafy green seeds in Abby’s Garden Hoop House. Even though it’s the dead of winter, with some planning, you get an early edge on spring’s warmer weather. Join us to learn how to prepare for the spring season. 


    Register for updates through Eventbrite. 

  • January 28: How to Prune a New Fruit Tree

    Location: UR Orchard & Food Forest

    Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Pruning for fruit production can be intimidating. Learn to prune at UR’s new Orchard & Food Forest. We will cover the necessary tools and how to use them, the three Ds of pruning, and the basics to get our fruit trees off to a good start for fruit production.

    Please meet in the UR Orchard & Food Forest (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance, slightly beyond Abby’s Garden).

    Register for updates through Eventbrite. 

  • February 18: How to Build a Cold Frame

    Location: Abby’s Garden

    Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Using the power of the sun and some glass can really enhance your early-season gardening game tremendously. Join us for a demo on how to create a cold frame in Abby’s garden to learn what tools and supplies you’ll need as well as what plants thrive in these containers.

    Please meet in Abby’s Garden (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance).

    Register for updates through Eventbrite. 

  • March 3: How to Pot Up Tree Saplings

    Location: Abby’s Garden

    Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Come learn to pot up tree saplings. These trees are seed-grown and shipped here for a reforestry project in the Eco-Corridor. We will be potting these trees up for planting during RVA Tree Week in November. Join to learn about the different tree species, pruning techniques to grow a central leader, and how to take care of these new trees.

    Please meet in Abby’s Garden (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

  • March 18: How to Plant Potatoes

    Location: UR Orchard & Food Forest

    Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the changing of the seasons by planting potatoes in UR’s Food Forest/Orchard. We will be learning about the different types of potatoes and growing methods.

    Please meet in the UR Orchard & Food Forest (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance in the area adjacent to Abby’s Garden - still within the fence).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

  • March 25: How to Plant Brassicas (Kale, Cabbage, etc.)

    Location: UR Orchard & Food Forest

    Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    What do cabbage, kale, turnips, and collards all have in common? They are all in Brassicas, also known as the mustard family. Come plant Brassicas in the Orchard & Food Forest. We will plant and learn about all different types of brassicas, talk about common pests and growing requirements, and give tips for ensuring a good harvest.

    Please meet in the UR Orchard & Food Forest (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance in the area adjacent to Abby’s Garden - still within the fence).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

  • March 30: How to Extend Your Garden Season

    Location: UR Orchard & Food Forest

    Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Excited for warmer weather and want to get those warm-season annuals in the ground? Afraid of a potential frost wiping out your crops? Come learn about some tips and tricks on how to protect your crops from the lingering cooler weather.

    Please meet in the UR Orchard & Food Forest (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance in the area adjacent to Abby’s Garden - still within the fence).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

  • April 7: How to Plant a Miniature Farm - Session 1

    Location: Abby’s Garden

    Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Want to learn about what goes into starting a new garden? We will be learning about what it takes to start a garden in UR’s new farmette. We be learning about planting, crop selection, and even soil science.

    Please meet in Abby’s Garden (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

  • April 13: How to Plant a Miniature Farm - Session 2

    Location: Abby’s Garden

    Time: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

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    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Want to learn about what goes into starting a new garden? We will be learning about what it takes to start a garden in UR’s new farmette. We be learning about planting, crop selection, and even soil science.

    Please meet in Abby’s Garden (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

  • April 20: How to Plant a Miniature Farm - Session 3

    Location: Abby’s Garden

    Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

    -------

    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Want to learn about what goes into starting a new garden? We will be learning about what it takes to start a garden in UR’s new farmette. We be learning about planting, crop selection, and even soil science.

    Please meet in Abby’s Garden (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

  • April 28: How to Plant a Miniature Farm - Session 4

    Location: Abby’s Garden

    Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

    -------

    This event is a part of an ongoing series of garden workshops led by Natural Areas Steward, Joseph Day.

    Want to learn about what goes into starting a new garden? We will be learning about what it takes to start a garden in UR’s new farmette. We be learning about planting, crop selection, and even soil science.

    Please meet in Abby’s Garden (fenced-in area just down the path from the Eco-Corridor Entrance).

    Register to receive updates through Eventbrite. 

Spring 2026 UR Campus-Wide Sustainability Events 

Below are a few sustainability-related events happening this semester. Is your department or club hosting an event related to sustainability, the environment, or social justice? Please let us know if you would like to add it to this list.

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  • February 6: Rainbow Threads

    Date: Friday, February 6
    Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    Location: Whitehurst Multicultural Space

    Rainbow Threads is back! The Hub for Student Inclusion and Community has, once again, partnered with Rethink Waste to host this unique event.

    Located at the Whitehurst Multicultural Center, the event aims to provide gender non-specific secondhand clothing to students, faculty, and staff, including LGBTQ+ members of campus. All are welcome to stop in and peruse a large selection of donated secondhand clothes collected around campus and from the Spider Exchange.

    There truly is no other event as generous or grand as Rainbow Threads, so give clothes another chance at this highly inclusive experience. Snacks provided!

  • February 26: Film Screening of "Cigarette Surfboard" for RVA Environmental Film Festival

    Date: Thursday, February 26
    Time: 7:00 p.m.
    Location: Jepson 118
    A reception will be held outside of Room 118 starting at 6:00 p.m.

    The Richmond Environmental Film Festival, held annually in February, showcases incredible films on a wide range of topics at venues throughout Richmond. Stay tuned for a final lineup of films to be announced soon!

    As a part of the Film Festival, the Office for Sustainability will be screening the documentary Cigarette Surfboard on February 26, 7:00 p.m. in Jepson Hall, Room 118. The film shows the dynamic collaboration between artists, nonprofit leaders, public health experts, community members, and athletes to combat toxic cigarette pollution while inspiring stewardship of our earth through their activism.

    You can watch the trailer on YouTube to learn more. There will be a reception held at 6:00 p.m. outside of Room 118 ahead of the screening. All are welcome!