Events

Date: Tuesday, October 7th, 9am – 2pm (rain date Tuesday, October 14th)

Location: East Village entrance. The event check-in will be at lot 4 across from the Niner Transit East Deck 2 stop. View the Google Maps location here. 

Join the Office of Sustainability and Grounds staff for a day of beautifying campus! We will plant trees and clean up litter at a designated spot on campus. This is a great opportunity for clubs, classes, or staff groups to serve the campus community and keep UNC Charlotte beautiful! It is open to any UNC Charlotte student, staff, faculty, or alumni.

Registration is required; RSVP through this form.

Date: Tuesday, October 7th, 4pm – 6pm

Location: Popp Martin Student Union room 200

Join the Center for Wellness Promotion for a cozy, fall-themed event full of interactive activities, conversations, and resources that promote healthy relationships.

Show off your favorite sweater, enjoy fall treats, and take part in the Pledge to help create a safer, more supportive campus community!

Date: Tuesday, October 7th, 3pm – 4:30pm

Location: Halton Reading Room, Atkins Library

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to an exciting presentation by Dr. Roger Tipton, who will share insights from their recent expedition to the Arctic.  Discover how the Arctic is shaping the future of global research—and why this journey marks the beginning of a bold new era in scientific exploration.  With support from the National Science Foundation, this rare voyage into the melting Arctic ice field is uncovering critical baseline data on PFAS—“forever chemicals” that pose long-term risks to environmental and human health.

Date: Wednesday, October 8th, 12pm – 1pm

Location: Smith 202

The campus community is invited to attend the first Campus Master Plan and Updates Forum on Wednesday, October 8th from 12pm -1pm in Smith 202. Owen Cooks, Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management, will speak on the 10-year campus master plan and share updates on progress towards integrating University goals into the continued development of the physical elements of campus.

This event is open to all UNC Charlotte students, staff, and faculty.

Date: Saturday, October 11th, 11am – 1pm (rain date Sat. November 8)

Location: Start at Hauser Alumni Pavilion, bike down Toby Creek and Mallard Creek Greenways

Join two Sustainability Ambassadors and the Charlotte Re-Cyclery for an ~8-mile group bike ride down Toby Creek and Mallard Creek Greenways! Click here to view the route map.

This group ride is open to all UNC Charlotte students, staff, and faculty and is a great chance to meet fellow biking enthusiasts, enjoy the Fall weather, and explore the greenways around our campus. Registration is encouraged for this event, please click here to RSVP.

Date: Monday, October 13th, 4pm – 6pm

Location: Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room

 Thea Riofrancos, Ph.D.,  Associate Professor of Political Science (Providence College, Rhode Island), will present “Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism.”  She will unpack research from her new book that focuses on the dilemma between green capitalism’s extractive qualities and clean technologies’ production. Dr. Riofrancos will focus particularly on lithium, a “critical mineral” essential for its role in decarbonizing transportation, one of the most polluting sectors.

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 5pm – 7:30pm

Location: Popp Martin Student Union, Room 200

Join the Office of Sustainability and the Student Government Association for a night of learning from campus researchers, student leaders, and Charlotte-based organizations about alternative transportation and related sustainability impacts at UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte region.

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 5:15pm with light reception at 4:15pm

Location: J. Murrey Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room

The Personally Speaking series was created to share the research accomplishments of faculty in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS) with the greater Charlotte community. Four times a year, alumni, community partners, faculty, staff, students, and members of the general public come together to celebrate recently published work and to engage in conversation about a wide range of topics from within our disciplines. CHESS hosts the series in partnership with J. Murrey Atkins Library.

This event will feature research by Caitlin Schroering, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Global Studies and Affiliated Faculty, Department of Sociology. Based on the book Global Solidarities Against Water Grabbing: Without Water, We Have Nothing (Manchester University Press, 2024).

Date: Thursday, October 16, 11:30am – 12:30pm

Location: Virtual Event

Researchers who use community data join Sydney Idzikowski & Kailas Venkitasubramanian from the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute to explore the Data Trust—a tool integrating data from 55+ community organizations. Learn about available data, request processes, and ethical data use.

Date: Saturday, October 25; 9am – 1pm

Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium between Gates 3 and 4

Volunteer to help keep Jerry Richardson Stadium a zero-waste facility! As a Zero Waste volunteer, you will work with university staff to sort trash items the day after the game into compost, recycling, and trash. Volunteers will be given a free Zero-Waste t-shirt, gloves, and refreshments and should plan to wear weather-appropriate clothes that can get dirty, closed-toed shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. 

Registration is required.

Date: Wednesday, October 29, 1pm – 3pm

Location: Storrs, Lambla Gallery

A showcase of work by students who have completed a study abroad experience or other international opportunity that reflects their newfound perspective, exploration, interpretation, cultural learning, and investment. The work here demonstrates early steps in careers that will seek to solve the world’s toughest challenges and address global issues we may not even know yet exist. 

Date: Saturday, November 1, December 6, January 10, February 7, March 7; all 9am – 12pm

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.

Date: Friday, November 7, December 5, January 9, February 6, March 6; all 12pm – 2pm

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.

Date: Sunday, Nov 16; 9am – 1pm

Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium between Gates 3 and 4

Volunteer to help keep Jerry Richardson Stadium a zero-waste facility! As a Zero Waste volunteer, you will work with university staff to sort trash items the day after the game into compost, recycling, and trash. Volunteers will be given a free Zero-Waste t-shirt, gloves, and refreshments and should plan to wear weather-appropriate clothes that can get dirty, closed-toed shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. 

Registration is required.

Dates: Sept 29th – October 3rd

Location: Online

The 2nd Annual NC Climate Week hosted by EarthShare NC will equip individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and governments to work individually and collectively on climate solutions and resilience across North Carolina. The week will feature opportunities for virtual learning and community engagement to inspire local action to benefit the climate.

Date: Saturday, October 4th. 10am – 2pm

Location: Charlotte Solid Waste Services (1105 Otts St, Charlotte, NC 28205)

The City of Charlotte’s Office of Sustainability & Resilience and Solid Waste Services will be hosting a Sustainability Fair, free and open to the public. This event will be open to the entire community, and will feature opportunities to learn about sustainability across Charlotte, play games, and walk away with treats and swag.

Date: Saturday, October 4th

Location: Catawba-Wateree River Basin waterways

The Catawba Riversweep is one day a year when citizens from all over the Catawba-Wateree River Basin come together to clean up their shared waterways. October 4, 2025 will be a day when thousands of neighbors come together at dozens of sites from Lake James to Lake Wateree and everywhere in between. It will be a day of hard work, fun, fellowship, and action!

Registration is now closed, but many cleanup sites on the site list are accepting walk-up volunteers.

Date: Sunday, Oct 5, 2:00pm – 5:00 pm

Location: Reedy Creek Park, Shelter 4 (2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte NC 28215)

Join in on a free, fun-filled, hands-on adventure where kids and families get up close with nature! Activities include meeting animal ambassadors, creating art from things found only in nature, a guided nature hike, exploring native plants and animals, animal-themed yoga, and more. All activities will have an experienced lead person. Volunteers are needed to assist with the activities. No experience required! Only a love of nature and the desire to share that love with kids and families! 

Date: Tuesday, October 7th, 5:30 – 7:30pm

Location: Sugar Creek Library (4045 N Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28206)

Join Sustain Charlotte for a free volunteer training to become a Sustain Charlotte ambassador. This free training session will take place at the Sugar Creek Library for approximately 2 hours. Volunteers will be guided through an initial staff presentation about the mission and history of Sustain Charlotte and have a chance to learn about efforts being taken today to generate a healthier, more equitable, and vibrant community.

Dates: Wednesday, October 8 – Thursday, October 9

Location: CPCC Harris Conference Center (3216 CPCC Harris Campus Drive Charlotte, NC 28208)

This dynamic two-day in-person event is dedicated to strengthening community health and environmental resilience across North Carolina. This year’s theme explores the intersection of planetary and human health and community resilience. The conference will feature two keynote speakers and interactive panel discussions from nationally recognized experts in environmental justice, public health, healthcare, research, and community organizing.

Registration is required; reduced registration rates are offered to students, impacted community members, and volunteers.

Date: Saturday, October 18th, 12pm – 4pm

Location: Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28205

Repair your things and stuff to keep them out of the landfill! Tools will be provided, and experienced people will work with you to find the best way to repair your item. Assistance with electrical and non-electrical appliances, furniture, jewelry, toys, and much more will be provided. Doors open at noon and walk-ins are always welcome. Last check-in is at 3:00 pm. Repair Cafe is free, but registration is recommended.

Date: Sunday, October 19

Location: Across Charlotte

Save the date for Biketoberfest, Sustain Charlotte’s signature event—and your chance to explore the city on an epic, family-friendly scavenger hunt! Walk, run, or bike along a designated route, collect goodies and raffle tickets at local stops, and experience how fun and easy it can be to get around Charlotte without a car.

Date: Saturday, November 22nd, 9am – 12pm

Location: Mallard Creek Greenway (at the end of the Toby Creek Greenway and campus border). Click here to view the Google Maps location.

Join fellow students, organizations, and nearby neighbors as we plant trees alongside Mallard Creek to reduce erosion, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for wildlife! This event is co-hosted by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, Charlotte Public Tree Fund, North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and Mecklenburg County Soil and Water Conservation District.

All tools, gloves, and training will be provided, and light refreshments will be supplied. Whether you are looking for service hours or a way to give back to the community, this is a great way to do it. No experience is necessary!