March Sustainability News
Anyone else both delighted and disquieted by this year’s unseasonable spring weather? Sunny and seventy in February was so soothing, but that feeling was tempered by concerns about what the early blossoms meant for the cherry tree, as well as the fate of flowers poking their heads out of their beds before March’s alarm rang. Voicing unease about beautiful weather runs the risk of being seen as a Debbie Downer, but it’s hard not to think about what Richmond’s second warmest winter on record – 11 degrees hotter than in 1970 – portends.
It’s not easy to wrap your arms around this uncertainty; fortunately, there are artists whose work helps us navigate the terrain of big ideas. Utama, UR’s contribution to the 2023 RVA Environmental Film Festival, casts the changing climate as a main character. As the couple at the center of the story decides how to address the socio-environmental challenges before them, we are also invited to look at the decisions that face us. The more we come together to discuss the hardship and beauty within these issues – whether in our homes, at festivals, or the upcoming end-of-semester gatherings – the more likely we are to find solutions and find comfort alongside other members of this amazing community. Hope to connect with you soon!
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Film Screening of Utama and Community Involvement Fair
Tuesday, March 14
Involvement Fair at 5:45pm // Film at 7:00pm
Ukrop Auditorium, Robins School of Business
The Office for Sustainability is screening Utama for the annual RVA Environmental Film Festival. Utama is a fictional film that follows the story of a Quechua family experiencing the severity of climate change in the Bolivian highlands. As they are faced with extreme drought, they must decide if they will maintain their traditional way of life or move to the city.
Before the film, we will be hosting a community involvement fair from 5:45-6:45pm in the Moelchert Commons outside of Lou's. Join us for snacks and learn about opportunities to get involved in sustainability on campus and with environmental causes in Richmond.
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Sustainability Leadership Award Nominations
Students, staff, and faculty do invaluable work each year to make our campus, our community, and our classes more sustainable. Our Sustainability Leadership Awards recognize exceptional members of our campus community. Please nominate up to three individuals who are doing great work in sustainability. Read about previous award recipients on our website.
Winners will be announced at the Sustainability Banquet on April 10.
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Save the Date for the 2023 Sustainability Banquet
For the first time since 2020, the banquet is back! You're invited to the annual University of Richmond Sustainability Banquet on Monday, April 10, from 6-8pm in the Jepson Alumni Center. Join the Office for Sustainability and campus leaders as we celebrate University of Richmond students, staff, and faculty members for their outstanding contributions to sustainability. The evening will include a plant-forward dinner, recognition of our Sustainability Award winners, a chance to gather with others who move sustainability forward at the University of Richmond, and remarks from the founder of Keep Virginia Cozy, Brian Bell.
Space is limited. Please RSVP by Monday, April 3.
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Sounds of Sustainability: A Music Performance and Discussion on Plant-Forward Lifestyles
Tuesday, March 21 at 1:00pm
Wellbeing Center Lobby
Love the sounds of sustainability? Join UR faculty member Dr. Joanne Kong and visiting artist Christoph Wagner in the Wellbeing Center lobby for a lunchtime mini-concert featuring the cello and piano. As advocates for sustainability and well-being, the two will also discuss how plant-based food choices can benefit your personal health and the environment. They will also share their tips on how to integrate more plant-based food choices into your diet. Plant-based snacks will be provided!
Please register by Sunday, March 19.
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Richmond Spiders Score Big in Waste Diversion
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Congratulations to Rethink Waste for a successful GameDay Challenge! Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers for their hard work in diverting as much waste as possible from the landfill during the Richmond Spiders vs. St. Louis Billikens basketball game on February 21. This was the first Rethink Waste basketball game since February 2020, when we achieved a 74% diversion rate. Great job, Rethink Waste!
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What does a community-based approach to landscape restoration look like at University of Richmond?
Associate Professor of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability, Todd Lookingbill and Senior Associate Director of Community-Engaged Learning, Terry Dolson, were recently featured in Imagining America for their article on community-based stream restoration titled "Am I My Brother's (River)Keeper: The Ripple Effects of a Community-Based Stream Restoration". Their work delves into the Eco-Corridor's history, importance, and the collaborative processes behind its ideation and management.
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Tuesday, March 14: Utama and Community Involvement Fair
Learn more
Monday, March 20: Neumann Lecture on Music: Music After Oil
Learn more
Tuesday, March 21: Sounds of Sustainability: A Music Performance and Discussion on Plant-Forward Lifestyles
Learn more
Friday, March 31: Perspectives: Urban Renewal
Learn more
April 5-7: El Poder del pueblo: Environmental justice and decolonial worldmaking in Puerto Rico and beyond
Learn more
Friday, April 7: Perspectives: Beekeeping and Urban Ecology
Learn more
Monday, April 10: Sustainability Banquet
Learn more
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Spiders in the News
University of Richmond Receives Grant Funding for Program Focusing on Early College Awareness for K-8 Students
Read the full article
University of Richmond Student Researcher and Environmental Health Advocate Selected for Competitive Luce Scholar Program
Read the full article
Here's why it's hard to clean up toxic waste from the East Palestine train derailment
Read the full article
Linking Science with Lived Experience to Conserve the Amazon
Read the full article
University of Richmond Senior Receives Competitive Rising Black Scientist Award for Academic Talent, Commitment to Research
Read the full article
USGBC Virginia Celebrates 2020 Community Leader Award Winners
Read the full article
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