Events
Events with a sustainability focus occur year-round. If you have an event idea or wish to collaborate, please email sustainability@charlotte.edu. The most concentrated and coordinated periods are celebrations of Campus Sustainability Month (October) and Earth Month (April).
All upcoming events hosted by the Office of Sustainability are also listed on our Niner Engage page. View additional off-campus community events and opportunities on the Community Opportunities page.
upcoming
Great Decisions Lecture: The Future of Human Rights and International Law
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 6 PM – 8 PM
Location: Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City
The Great Decisions lecture series, a national program of the Foreign Policy Association, gives community members the opportunity to meet, discuss, and learn about some of the issues facing the world. This lecture will feature Amal Khoury, associate teaching professor of global studies at UNC Charlotte.
Engaged Scholarship Symposium
Date: Thursday, February 5, 8:15 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: UNC Charlotte CO-LAB (301 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202) and Sugar Creek Wellness Center
This year’s UNC Charlotte Engaged Scholarship Symposium, co-sponsored by the Charlotte Urban Institute and CO-LAB in the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, will explore the intersections of community-based research and social entrepreneurship, with a focus on how these approaches can advance social impact and the public good.
Gratitude In The Gardens
Date: Fridays, February 6, March 6; all 12 PM – 2 PM
Location: Van Landingham Glen
Join a silent, meditative walk through the Van Landingham Glen. Led by Jennifer, these forest strolls will include meditative prompts around the practice of gratitude. Sessions may include meditative art materials as well.
This event is free to UNC Charlotte students, staff, and faculty with a valid UNC Charlotte ID.
Nature Therapy Walk
Date: Saturdays, February 7, March 7; all 9 AM – 12 PM
Location: Van Landingham Glen
Join Jennifer for a relaxing 2.5 to 3 hour stroll through the forest at Van Landingham Glen. Through a series of invitations, you will have an opportunity to focus on being present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community, and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer.
This event is free to UNC Charlotte students, staff, and faculty with a valid UNC Charlotte ID.
Climate Change Quilt Workshop
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2 PM – 4 PM
Location: Area 49 Makerspace, Atkins Library 2nd Floor
Join us to make a quilt square representing your relationship to climate change. Your square will be added to our campus Climate Change Quilt and could be displayed on campus during Earth Month 2026 and at future events. No sewing or quilting experience is necessary. We’ll lead you through how to design and create your square using fabric, paint, and other supplies, show you how to sew your project, and you can come back to the Area 49 Makerspace this semester to finish your quilt square if you need more time.
Personally Speaking: “It’s In Our Bones: A Biological Microhistory of Identity and Community in Ancient Bolivia”
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 4:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Location: Halton Reading Room, Atkins Library
Using research from Cooperation and Hierarchy in Ancient Bolivia: Building Community with the Body, Sara Juengst, Ph.D. discusses how burials and skeletons can teach us about the lives of past people and how their societies shifted in the face of environmental, social, and economic change.
Gingko Residential Speaker Series: “Climate Change: Media Stories vs. Scientific Evidence. What to Believe?”
Time: Tuesday, April 14, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St
We hear a lot about extreme weather events and some things might be confusing or even contradictory. In this talk with frequent audience participation, Jack Scheff, Ph.D. will try to cut through the media narratives and give a working atmospheric scientist’s practical perspective on big questions about the changing climate.
Off Campus Events
Many groups in the Charlotte region host events and programs throughout the year that are open to anyone interested in getting more involved with sustainability in the community. Community events scheduled for Spring 2026 are listed below. If you are interested in more events and opportunities hosted by community groups, visit the Community Opportunities page.
Sustain Charlotte Ambassador Training
Date: Saturday, January 24, 10am – 12pm
Location: Plaza Midwood Library (1623 Central Ave Charlotte, 28205)
Become an ambassador for Sustain Charlotte! This free training session will last approximately two hours at the Plaza Midwood Library’s community room. Volunteers will be guided through an initial staff presentation about the mission and history of Sustain Charlotte and learn about efforts being taken today to generate a healthier, more equitable, and vibrant community.
CleanAIRE Academy
The CleanAIRE Academy offers specialized online courses for community leaders, professionals, students, and everyday individuals. Gain actionable insights and the tools to make a real impact, regardless of your background. Current courses include Air Quality 101 and Advocacy in Action, and upcoming classes in 2026 include Air Pollution & Your Health, Environmental Justice, AirKeeper Dashboard, and Community Science & Air Monitoring.