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.
Fall 2026 UR Campus-Wide Sustainability Events
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September 11: Volunteer in the Eco-Corridor
Meet at the North Trailhead of the Eco-Corridor. Participants will help with assembling picnic tables in the Eco-Corridor. To get more details on this week’s scheduled activity, contact our Natural Areas Steward at Joseph.Day@richmond.edu.
Gloves and snacks will be provided. Please wear protective clothing and bring a water bottle. Thanks for donating your time!
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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September 14: Decolonized Eats: Recipes for Food Sovereignty & Climate & Disability Justice
Date: Monday, September 14, 4:30 p.m.
Location: Weinstein Hall, Brown-Alley RoomJen Deerinwater
Founder of Crushing Colonialism
"Decolonized Eats: Recipes for Food Sovereignty & Climate & Disability Justice"
4:30 p.m.
Weinstein Hall, Brown-Alley Room
Co-Sponsored with will+GSS Speaker Series and Disability Services -
September 18: Weeks of Welcome (WOW) - Westhampton Lake Cleanup
Date: Friday, September 18, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Westhampton Lake GazeboJoin us for a volunteer day at Westhampton Lake! This session is part of our regular volunteer opportunities held every week.
Help us beautify Westhampton Lake by picking up litter. This makes the lake cleaner and safer for all the flora and fauna on and around the lake. Please meet at the Westhampton Lake Gazebo.
Gloves and snacks will be provided. Please wear protective clothing and bring a water bottle. Thanks for donating your time!
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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September 19: Volunteer at the Rethink Waste Football Game
Help Rethink Waste divert waste at the football game! This session is part of our regular volunteer opportunities held every week.
Every helping hand makes a difference! Volunteer to help us make the football games as close to zero-waste as possible.
As the Spiders take on Georgetown, volunteers will help participants correctly sort their waste, pick up litter, recyclables, and compostables after the game, and even help sort at the very end. You can choose how you contribute! We need help during all parts of the game.
Thanks for donating your time!
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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September 26: Volunteer at the Campus Race to Zero Waste - Rethink Waste Football Game
Help Rethink Waste divert waste at the football game! This session is part of our regular volunteer opportunities held every week.
Every helping hand makes a difference! Volunteer to help us make the football games as close to zero-waste as possible.
As the Spiders take on Furman, volunteers will help participants correctly sort their waste, pick up litter, recyclables, and compostables after the game, and even help sort at the very end. You can choose how you contribute! We need help during all parts of the game.
Meal and drink vouchers will be provided. Thanks for donating your time!
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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October 2: Queer Extinctions; or Learning How to Last
Date: Friday, October 2, 12:00 p.m.
Location: Humanities CommonsSarah Ensor
Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
"Queer Extinctions; or Learning How to Last"
12 p.m.
Humanities Commons
Co-Sponsored with will+GSS Speaker Series, Hub for Student Inclusion and Belonging, and the Department of English -
October 5: Volunteer in the UR Farmette
Join us for a volunteer day at the Office for Sustainability’s Farmette! This session is a part of our regular volunteer opportunities.
Help natural areas steward Joseph Day harvest sweet potatoes from the new Farmette, located within Abby’s Garden. Please meet in Abby’s Garden.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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October 8: Young Grad Eco-Corridor Planting Event
Date: Thursday, October 8, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Eco-CorridorJoin fellow Spiders for an evening of service and sustainability to help maintain one of the University’s beautiful natural spaces!
We will rotate through three planting stations throughout the Eco-Corridor, to help support local wildlife, improve biodiversity, and strengthen this unique natural space on campus. It’s a fun, hands-on opportunity to make a lasting impact while connecting with fellow students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who share a passion for giving back.
All are welcome, bring a friend and help us make a lasting impact on campus! Gloves, drinks, and snacks will be provided. Please wear comfortable, protective clothing and closed-toe shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. Registration required.
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October 9: Volunteer in the Eco-Corridor
Meet at the North Trailhead of the Eco-Corridor
Participants will help with planting butterfly weed in the meadow of the Eco-Corridor. To get more details on this week’s scheduled activity, contact our Natural Areas Steward at Joseph.Day@richmond.edu.
Please bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and protective clothing. Volunteers are welcome to join for the whole session or part of the session.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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October 14: A glacial-geologic approach to understanding past climate change and ice-sheet stability
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Gottwald AuditoriumMaraina Miles
Visiting Assistant Professor of Geography, Environment, & Sustainability
"A glacial-geologic approach to understanding past climate change and ice-sheet stability"
5 p.m.
Gottwald Auditorium -
October 16: Volunteer in the Eco-Corridor
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Eco-CorridorMeet at the North Trailhead of the Eco-Corridor
Participants will help with planting. To get more details on this week’s scheduled activity, contact our Natural Areas Steward at Joseph.Day@richmond.edu.
Please bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and protective clothing. Volunteers are welcome to join for the whole session or part of the session.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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October 24: Volunteer at the Rethink Waste Football Game
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Robins StadiumHelp Rethink Waste divert waste at the football game! This session is part of our regular volunteer opportunities held every week.
Every helping hand makes a difference! Volunteer to help us make the football games as close to zero-waste as possible.
As the Spiders take on Colgate, volunteers will help participants correctly sort their waste, pick up litter, recyclables, and compostables after the game, and even help sort at the very end. You can choose how you contribute! We need help during all parts of the game.
Meal and drink vouchers will be provided. Thanks for donating your time!
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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October 30: Volunteer at the Challenge Discovery Course
Date: Friday, October 30, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Challenge Discovery CourseMeet at the North Trailhead of the Eco-Corridor
Participants will help with planting. To get more details on this week’s scheduled activity, contact our Natural Areas Steward at Joseph.Day@richmond.edu.
Please bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and protective clothing. Volunteers are welcome to join for the whole session or part of the session.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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November 3: Volunteer at the UR Farmette
Date: Friday, November 3, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: UR Farmette (In Abby’s Garden)Join us for a volunteer day at the Office for Sustainability’s Farmette! This session is a part of our regular volunteer opportunities.
Help natural areas steward Joseph Day harvest root vegetables from the new Farmette, located within Abby’s Garden. Please meet in Abby’s Garden.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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November 6: Tree Planting for Richmond Tree Week
Date: Friday, November 6, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Eco-CorridorMeet at the North Trailhead of the Eco-Corridor
On November 6, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m., join the Office for Sustainability in the Eco-Corridor for a native tree planting event! The 18-acre Eco-Corridor is a revitalized, natural area of campus that contains Little Westham Creek, Abby’s Garden, the UR Orchard & Food Forest, a new Farmette, pollinator meadows, an accessible paved walking path, and plenty of spaces to rest and relax.
To get more details on this week’s scheduled activity, contact our Natural Areas Steward at Joseph.Day@richmond.edu.
Please bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and protective clothing. Volunteers are welcome to join for the whole session or part of the session.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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November 14: Volunteer at the Rethink Waste Football Game
Date: Friday, November 14, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Robins StadiumHelp Rethink Waste divert waste at the football game! This session is part of our regular volunteer opportunities held every week.
Every helping hand makes a difference! Volunteer to help us make the football games as close to zero-waste as possible.
As the Spiders take on Lehigh, volunteers will help participants correctly sort their waste, pick up litter, recyclables, and compostables after the game, and even help sort at the very end. You can choose how you contribute! We need help during all parts of the game.
Meal and drink vouchers will be provided. Thanks for donating your time!
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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November 16: Sweden Week: Rethink Waste 101
Date: Monday, November 16, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom - https://urichmond.zoom.us/j/83897961179Join Rethink Waste on Zoom to learn more about waste reduction here on campus in comparison to our focus country, Sweden! In this presentation, Jacob will share more about campus waste goals, how to properly sort your waste, new initiatives like textile and contact lens recycling, and some fun facts about recycling and composting in Sweden.
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November 16: Sweden Week: Swedish Refill Rendezvous: Candy, Glogg, and More!
Date: Monday, November 16, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Spider ExchangeCandy refills and a zero-waste way to do it. What could be more Swedish?
In the spirit of Swedish Simplicity, we’re hosting all the zero-waste enthusiasts at the Spider Exchange for a Swedish Refill Rendezvous!
Jump into the Swedish tradition of indulging in a weekly candy-fueled sugar rush at our candy refill bins, brought to you by Trolley Car Candy. Then, don’t forget to bring your favorite mug to fill up on a favorite Swedish drink, Glogg. And lastly, grab your compostable Swedish dishcloth so you can keep the reuse-life going strong (first come, first served)!
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November 17: Sweden Week: "Swede" Harvesting in Abby’s Garden
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 3:15 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Abby’s GardenIn celebration of Sweden Week, we will be harvesting "swedes" or rutabagas from the Farmette.
Join us to learn about the history of "swedes" or rutabaga, and help us harvest the produce for the International Dinner on November 18!
Please meet in Abby’s Garden. Register for updates.
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November 19: Sweden Week: Westhampton Lake Cleanup
Date: Friday, November 19, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Westhampton Lake PavilionJoin us for a volunteer day at Westhampton Lake! This session is part of our regular volunteer opportunities held every week.Help us pick up litter around Westhampton Lake (please meet at the Westhampton Lake Gazebo). This event is also a part of the Sweden Week Ecochallenge. Join us to beautify campus and make it a better place for flora and fauna to flourish.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are all welcome to register. Please register the names and email addresses of everyone who will be joining.
Gloves and snacks will be provided. Please wear protective clothing and bring a water bottle. Thanks for donating your time!
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.
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November 21: Volunteer at the Rethink Waste Football Game
Date: Friday, November 21, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Robins StadiumHelp Rethink Waste divert waste at the football game! This session is part of our regular volunteer opportunities held every week.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.Every helping hand makes a difference! Volunteer to help us make the football games as close to zero-waste as possible.
As the Spiders take on William & Mary, volunteers will help participants correctly sort their waste, pick up litter, recyclables, and compostables after the game, and even help sort at the very end. You can choose how you contribute! We need help during all parts of the game.
Meal and drink vouchers will be provided. Thanks for donating your time!
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December 4: Volunteer in the Eco-Corridor
Date: Friday, December 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Eco-CorridorMeet at the North Trailhead of the Eco-Corridor
Participants can assist in a variety of activities including mulching, pulling invasives, working in the garden, and more. To get more details on this week’s scheduled activity, contact our Natural Areas Steward at Joseph.Day@richmond.edu.
Please bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and protective clothing. Volunteers are welcome to join for the whole session or part of the session.
Registration required. Please sign up through our Eventbrite page.