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
april is earth month!
Wellbeing Block Party
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 11am – 2pm
Location: Cauble Quad
The Wellbeing Block Party and Wellness Fair will allow over 1,200 students to engage with various facets of wellbeing through music, games, activities, and giveaways. This event will also raise awareness of the importance of prioritizing wellness (mental, physical, emotional, and social) as the semester and academic year come to a close.
Earth Month Tour Series
Join the Office of Sustainability and campus partners for our annual Earth Month tour series! These tours will give you a close-up look at some of the areas on campus that support sustainability initiatives at UNC Charlotte. Tours are open to all UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff; spaces are limited and registration is required for each tour. You can access the registration forms for each tour below! All tours are 12pm – 1pm.
Land and Water: This walking tour will go from the student gardens down to Heck Lake, covering various topics like the importance of trees and outdoor space, the challenges of managing our land and water, and more. Thursday, April 9th. Click here to register.
Green Buildings: Find out what makes a building “green” on this tour of EPIC, highlighting its key sustainability features and the importance of building to a green standard. Thursday, April 16. Click here to register.
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale
Dates: Thursday, April 9 (12pm – 4pm, campus community & members only), Friday, April 10 (9am – 3pm), Saturday, April 11 (9am – 2pm)
Location: 9303 Martin Village Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262 (Lot 5)
Stock up on your plant collection for the year at the Botanical Garden’s Spring Plant Sale! Early access sale begins on Thursday, April 9th for Garden Members and UNC Students/Faculty/Staff. Garden staff will be available to answer questions about the plants for sale.
Earth Month Film Series
Join the Office of Sustainability and campus partners for film screenings and panel discussions throughout April. The films will focus on various topics, including women’s roles in sustainable infrastructure, environmental ethics, fast fashion, and the future of transportation. All films will be 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
- Life on Wheels: Transportation for a New Urban Century: Thursday, April 9, Klein 104
- The Rights of Nature: A Global Movement: Wednesday, April 15, Klein 104
- Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy: Thursday, April 23, Klein 104
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.
Hech Lake Days
Dates: Wednesday, April 15; Tuesday, April 21, 2pm – 6pm
Location: Hechenbleikner Lake (9105 University Rd, Charlotte, NC 28223)
Join Venture Outdoor Leadership and Student Involvement for free music, sno cones, giveaways, and canoeing on the Lake! The Office of Sustainability and other sustainability-related student organizations will be joining the event to celebrate Earth Day on April 21.
Wear, Care, Repair: A Clothes Mending Workshop
Date: Thursday, April 16, 1pm – 3pm
Location: Area 49 Makerspace, Atkins Library 2nd Floor
April is Earth Month and the perfect time to make your closet more sustainable. Avoid fast fashion by repairing or repurposing the clothes you have. Don’t know how to sew on a button? Not sure how to mend or patch a torn pair of pants? Want help thinking of something to turn that old t-shirt into? Makerspace staff will have sewing machines, hand sewing materials, buttons, patches, and basic instructions to help you give new life to your old clothes. This event is cosponsored by Atkins Library and the Office of Sustainability.
Student Garden Day
Date: Friday, April 17, 9am – 3pm (rain date Friday, April 24)
Location: Student Gardens, Staff Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, Niner Pantry gardens
Volunteers will repair, rejuvenate, and plant the volunteer garden areas on campus. Food and refreshments will be provided to volunteers. Volunteers do not have to attend the entire event, but we do encourage you to sign up for a time slot. Registration is required, please register through this form.
Spring Fest at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Date: Saturday, April 18, 11am – 1:30pm
Location: Van Landingham Glen at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Spring Fest at the Gardens is a free event designed for families to explore the beauty of spring in the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens. This event is hosted by UNC Charlotte students and features a spring scavenger hunt around the gardens, fun nature-related crafts, and face painting. This event is best suited for ages 4 to 10. All materials will be provided.
Climate Change Quilt Workshop
Dates: Tuesday, April 21, 11am – 1pm
Location: Area 49 Makerspace, Atkins Library 2nd Floor
Join the Area 49 Makerspace and the Office of Sustainability to make a quilt square representing your relationship to climate change. Whether you’ve been directly impacted by climate change or are worried about future implications, share your story during this drop-in event. Your square will be added to a 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.
Party for the Planet
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 4pm – 7pm
Location: Belk Plaza
A celebration for the planet! Join student organizations for an evening of fun and various activities centered around environmental sustainability, social and cultural diversity, and health and wellness.
2026 CoAAPalooza
Date: Thursday, April 23, 11am – 2pm
Location: Arts Quad between Robinson, Storrs, and Rowe
Don’t miss the fith annual CoAAPalooza spring arts festival run by students for students! CoAAPalooza gives students within the College of Arts + Architecture the chance to meet peers outside of their departments and see all that CoA+A has to offer. The event will feature food trucks, COAA student organizations, and lawn games.
Undergraduate Research Conference
Date: Friday, April 24, 8:30am – 3pm
Location: Popp Martin Student Union
The Charlotte Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) is a university-wide showcase of research projects completed by undergraduate students of all levels from all colleges and departments in the university. Abstract submissions are open until Thursday, March 5 at 11:59pm, learn more about project requirements here.
STEAM Innovation Expo
Date: Sunday, April 26, 12pm – 4pm
Location: Cauble Quad
The UNC Charlotte Center for STEM Education, UNC Charlotte STEM departments, and community stakeholders will facilitate events focused on engaging and interactive STEM learning opportunities. Through hands-on activities, STEM talks, lab tours, nature experiences, exhibits, and performances, the UNC Charlotte STEAM Expo engages a wide range of public audiences while inspiring future generations.
Gratitude in the Gardens
Dates: Fridays, May 1st, June 5th, July 10th, August 7th; 12pm – 2pm
Location: Van Landingham Glen
Join Jennifer Bueno-Hutchens for silent, meditative walks through the Van Landingham Glen. These forest strolls will include meditative prompts around the practice of gratitude. Sessions may include meditative art materials as well. Free for UNC Charlotte Students, faculty and staff (with valid UNC Charlotte ID number).
Nature Therapy Walk
Dates: Saturdays, May 2nd, June 6th, July 11th, August 1st; 9am – 12pm
Location: Van Landingham Glen
Join Jennifer Bueno-Hutchens 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. Free for UNC Charlotte students, faculty and staff (with a valid UNC Charlotte ID number).
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.
NC State Extension Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale
Date: Saturday, April 11, 9am – 1pm
Location: N.C. Cooperative Extension, Mecklenburg County Center (2415 Lester St, Charlotte 28208)
Shop an array of natives, perennials (sun and shade), annuals (sun and shade), vegetables/herbs, and, NEW THIS YEAR, houseplants! Many plants are grown by Master Gardener Volunteers. In addition, there will be plants from the Mecklenburg Extension Demonstration Garden at Freedom Park. Mecklenburg Master Gardener Volunteers will be on site during the sale to help you select the right plant for your needs and answer all your plant questions.
Sustain Charlotte Discover Charlotte: Explore Uptown’s Parks & Greenways by Bike
Date: Saturday, April 18, 10am – 12pm
Location: Little Sugar Creek Greenway (1133 Metropolitan Ave)
Join Sustain Charlotte for a guided bike ride of Uptown’s parks and greenways. You will hear from Gwen Cook, Planner for Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, and then ride at a leisurely pace and stop along the way to learn more about how Charlotte’s on-street bike infrastructure provides people of all ages and abilities with safe access to parks, greenways, public transit, and their daily destinations.
Earth Day TreeWalk at the Green
Date: Thursday, April 23rd, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location: The Green (425 S Tryon St, Charlotte, North Carolina)
Join TreesCharlotte for an enlightening tree walk led by a TreesCharlotte arborist!
This immersive experience will take you through a diverse collection of trees, where you’ll learn about their unique characteristics, ecological importance, and the vital role they play in our environment. The knowledgeable arborist will guide you through proper tree identification, teach you how to spot signs of tree health or distress, and share valuable insights on sustainable tree care.
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.