The Repeated Refrains of Nature
Joyous little pops of life, like sunshine on the vine, are emerging on campus. Golden forsythia buds and the trumpeting of daffodils deliver a clear message: A new season is coming into bloom, right on time. The wisdom of nature remains reliable, even when so much else seems to have veered off course. As Rachel Carson once observed, "There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."
In this newsletter we highlight programs and events inspired by nature's design. We're excited to share information about the evolution of the Rethink Waste program, whose circular symbol of chasing arrows is reminiscent of cyclical patterns found in nature. We want to remind you that the final days to secure a plot Abby's Garden in the beautiful Eco-Corridor, an environment of abundant sun and rich soil, are here. Finally, we want to tell you about upcoming events that feature those who work in alignment with and advocate for nature. We hope you can find some time to get outside, breathe deeply, and take a moment to connect with the rhythms of the season.
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Under New Management: Rethink Waste
The Rethink Waste program emerged as a brand new department in Custodial Services in October 2021. The department - which is charged with supporting the University's goal of 75% waste diversion from the landfill by 2025 through initiatives like composting, recycling, and donations - has a new manager, dedicated staff, and a team of student Rethink Waste Reps.
Learn about the new Rethink Waste Manager and some programs they are supporting this semester, including the rebrand of the UR Office Supply Exhange (UROSE) into the Spider Exchange.
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Plant Yourself in Abby's Garden
The annual lottery for a plot in Abby's Garden, UR's community garden in the Eco-Corridor, is open until February 21. There are 28 raised bed plots available to any University of Richmond faculty member, staff, or student. Basic tools for gardeners, including hand tools, gloves, rakes, and shovels, are all available for shared use and are stored in our garden tool shed. To help support a healthy ecosystem, no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used. Sticking to organic practices helps protect the health of our gardeners and our surrounding environment. Apply today for a garden plot at the button below!
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RVA Environmental Film Festival comes to UR:
Inhabitants, An Indigenous Perspective
In partnership with the RVA Environmental Film Festival, the Office for Sustainability and Global Environmental Speaker Series will host a screening of Inhabitants: Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World on February 28 at 7:00 in the Ukrop Auditorium. Inhabitants follows five Native American Tribes across deserts, coastlines, forests, and prairies as they restore these ecosystems with Indigenous land management practices. Immediately following the film, UR will host a virtual Q&A with both directors and one of the film participants, Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson of the Hopi Tribe.
Watch the trailer here. |
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Rise Above Plastics Cape, 2019. Nancy Judd.
Alterations. tailored solutions to climate change on view now in the Harnett Museum of Art
Nancy Judd's Alterations features sculptural artworks that explore the ecological and social cost of the fashion industry, the food we consume, our connection to the land and sea, product packaging and waste, and the importance of bees in our world. Alterations encourages people to consider their own relationship to the natural world and shares stories of how human behaviors impact the environment.
Alterations is on display at the Harnett Museum of Art through April 22. The museum is only open to members of the campus community at this time. Go see it while it's here!
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Upcoming Sustainability-related Events
Alterations: tailored solutions for climate change
Harnett Museum of Art, Modlin Center
January 19 - April 22
Inhabitants: An Indigenous Perspective RVA Environmental Film Festival Screening
Ukrop Auditorium, Robins School of Business
February 28, 7:00
Small Island Big Song Performance
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Center
March 16, 7:30
Rinku Sen Lecture on Racial Justice & Climate Change
Brown-Alley Room, Weinstein Hall
March 22, 7:00
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Spiders in the News
Charting a new course for ocean conservation
Read the full article
Creating the sustainable campus of the future
Read the full article here
Outdoor Spaces Help Promote Mental Health and Wellness on Campus
Read the full article here
Year in review: 2021 paved the way for environmental law action
Read the full article here
Safeguard ecosystem services in the Southwestern Amazon, the motivation that drives Stephanie Spera's Applied Science Team
Read the full article here
New online exhibit celebrates history of transportation in Richmond
Read the full article here
Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Up-And-Down Legal Journey: Explained
Read the full article here
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Where the money comes from and where it goes
Read the full article here
Existing Virginia landfills and gas operations should face renewed scrutiny
Read the full article here
Halt hydrogen hype
Read the full article here
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