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.

upcoming

2025 Great Decisions Lecture

Dates: Wednesday, Feb 19, Feb 26; 6:30pm – 8pm

Location: The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center

The Great Decisions lecture series, a national program of the Foreign Policy Association, allows citizens to meet, discuss, and learn about some of the issues facing the world. UNC Charlotte’s Office of International Programs coordinates the Charlotte Great Decisions Lecture Series. Each week a local expert from UNC Charlotte or a nearby institution will provide perspective on a topic of interest. 

  • Feb 11: India: Between China, the West and the Global South
  • Feb 19: U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy
  • Feb 26: AI and American National Security

Botanical Gardens Valentine’s Day Orchid Sale

Dates: Friday, Feb 14, 10am – 2pm

Location: Popp Martin Student Union (Feb 14)

Purchase orchids, succulents, or other plants from the Botanical Gardens to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

TEDxUNCCharlotte 2025

Date: Saturday, Feb 15, 1pm – 6pm

Location: McKnight Theater in Cone University Center

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. TEDxUNCCharlotte will feature speakers from UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte community discussing topics ranging from the arts, urban ecology, cultural heritage, public health, and more.

Registration is required, and general admission tickets are free.

Norms Vintage Market

Date: Thursday, Feb 20, 11am -5pm

Location: CHHS/CoEd Plaza

Stop by and shop a unique selection of vintage clothing, jewelry, and more! There will be 30+ vendors, a food truck, and music.

40th Witherspoon Lecture Asks What A Biblical Monster Can Teach Us About Ecological Crisis

Date: Monday, Feb 24 5pm – 7:30pm

Location: The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City

The 40th Annual Loy H. Witherspoon Lecture, “Loving Behemoth: Queer Animality, Ecospirituality, and Biblical Interpretation,” will be presented by Ken Stone, Ph.D., Distinguished Service Professor and Professor of Bible, Culture, and Hermeneutics at Chicago Theological Seminary. In an ecological crisis, the lecture examines the question: can biblical interpretation foster a spirituality that encourages “biophilia,” a love of living things? How might queer studies, with its attention to unconventional attachments, contribute to such an ecospirituality? 

Nature Therapy Walk

Date: Saturday, Mar 1 9am – 12pm

Location: Van Landingham Glen, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

 Join Jennifer Bueno-Hutchens, a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT),  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 for UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff but space is limited.

Gratitude in the Gardens

Dates: Sunday, Mar 2 3pm – 5pm

Location: Van Landingham Glen, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Join Jennifer Bueno-Hutchens, a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT),  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.

This event is free for UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff but space is limited.

International Women’s Day Celebration

Date: Tuesday, March 11 3:30pm – 5pm

Location: Lucas Room

Each year, the Office of International Programs cordially invites members of the UNC Charlotte campus community to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women at UNC Charlotte, specifically promoting women who work toward international collaboration and understanding. The IWD celebration will recognize individuals involved in fostering international understanding and collaboration, nominated by their peers.

You are invited to nominate someone who has made an impact on the lives of women locally or globally to be recognized and celebrated on this special day. Submit nominations by February 21st, and register for the event by March 7th.

2025 UNC Charlotte HUB Expo

Date: Wednesday, March 19, 8am – 3:30pm

Location: Popp Martin Student Union

UNC Charlotte is excited to host the Small and Historically Underutilized Business Symposium 2025 on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. This year’s theme, “The Power of Networking: Making Connections that Make Cents,” highlights the importance of building valuable relationships that drive business success.

urbanCORE’s Community Engagement Showcase

Date: Wednesday, Mar 19, 3pm – 5:30pm

Location: Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City

Join urbanCORE and the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS) for a showcase highlighting the impactful, community-engaged research of UNC Charlotte scholars.

This event will feature lightning-round presentations that inspire, followed by a networking reception where you can connect with colleagues & discover new opportunities for collaboration.

Anything That Rolls

Dates: Friday, March 21st and Friday, April 25th; 4pm – 6pm

Location: UNC Charlotte Main Light Rail Station

Join the Student Government Association, Parking and Transportation Services, LIME, UREC, and the Office of Sustainability for a group bike and scooter ride across campus! Enjoy the warm spring air and learn about alternative forms of transportation available to students.

More information coming soon.

Student Sustainability Summit

Date: Wednesday, Mar 26, 5pm – 7pm

Location: Cone 210

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 trees and landscapes at UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte region.

Speakers will include Heather Brent (TreesCharlotte) and Dr. Sara Gagne (Chair and Associate Professor of Landscape Ecology at UNC Charlotte).

More information coming soon, RSVP on Niner Engage below.

April is Earth month!

Earth Day Festival

Date: Thursday, April 3rd, 10am – 2pm (rain date Thursday, April 10th)

Location: Belk Plaza

Join the Office of Sustainability and 30+ organizations from UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte region for our kickoff to Earth Month! This annual event will feature student-led organizations, campus departments, local nonprofits, and government agencies sharing their work to support environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts.

Schul Forum Community Data Day

Date: Thursday, April 3, 12pm – 5pm

Location: The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City

Join the Charlotte Urban Institute +  Regional Data Trust for a Schul Forum Community Data Day at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City. After engaging in “So What?” sessions, a moderated panel discussion, and a culminating reception to honor our Gambrell Faculty Fellows, attendees will leave feeling inspired to harness the power of data to better shape the world around them.

Stay tuned for more details.

Earth Month Game Night

Date: Friday, April 11th, 5pm – 7pm

Location: Norm’s Gameroom (Popp-Martin Student Union)

A night of environmental and climate-themed games to celebrate Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week. Challenge yourself to a game of Catan, strategize in National Park Monopoly, or try something new! Feel free to bring your own (environmental-themed) game and some friends.

Register on Niner Engage!

Student Garden Day

Date: Friday, April 18th, 9am – 2pm

Location: Student Gardens, Staff Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, Student Pantry Gardens

Help us revitalize the gardens on campus! Spend a day outside with the Office of Sustainability, Pollinator Club, and other student organizations and put your green thumb to work.

Registration is required for this event, more information coming soon.

Party for the Planet

Date: Tuesday, April 22nd, time TBD

Location: Belk Plaza

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than a party for the planet? Join student clubs, campus groups, and off-campus organizations for a fun evening full of earth-friendly activities and entertainment!

More details coming soon.

2025 CoAAPalooza Spring Arts Festival

Date: Friday, April 25th, 4:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Arts Quad (in between Robinson, Storrs, and Rowe)

CoAAPalooza is an annual 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 even will feature food trucks, COAA student organizations, performances, and yard games.

UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo

Date: Saturday, April 27th, 12pm – 4pm

Location: CHHS Plaza

An annual event hosted as part of the 2025 NC Science Festival that will feature activities, talks, tours, exhibits, and performances from UNC Charlotte STEM departments and community stakeholders.

Off Campus Events

Sustain Charlotte Connects: What now? The power of local action

Date: Thursday, Feb 20, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Town Brewing Co. (800 Grandin Rd)

Join Sustain Charlotte and local leaders to hear inspiring examples of how people are working together at the local level in Charlotte to build momentum on critical sustainability issues – and how you can join the movement.

Sustain Charlotte Ambassador Training

Date: Wednesday, Feb 26, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Sustain Charlotte offices, 1100 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC 28208

Join Sustain Charlotte for a free, 2-hour training session to become a Sustain Charlotte ambassador! 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.

At the end of this training, attendees will be issued a certificate of completion to signify their new knowledge and encourage them to take the next step: attending their first outreach event!

Repair Cafe CLT

Date: Saturday, April 19, 12pm – 4pm

Location: Innovation Barn

Enjoy a fun-filled day of fixing things at the Innovation Barn’s Repair Café. This is the perfect place to bring in your broken items and learn how to repair them with the help of skilled volunteers. Whether it’s a wonky toaster or a wobbly chair, they’ve got you covered! So grab your broken treasures and swing by for a day of tinkering and learning.

Treetops & Tombstones: Charlotte’s Super Natural Arboretum

Date: Saturday, April 26 9am – 11am (rain date Sunday, April 27 9am – 11am)

Location: Elmwood Cemetery, 264 North Cedar St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Elmwood Cemetery is a center-city gem. But did you know it’s also a certified arboretum? City of Join Charlotte arborists and the cemeteries manager for a fascinating walking tour, where you’ll get tips on how to identify trees and discuss the City of Charlotte’s meticulous stewardship of its iconic tree canopy. You’ll also learn about the historical figures buried at this historic cemetery.

Space is limited, RSVP today!

TreeFest

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2pm – 5pm

Location: TBD

TreesCharlotte is excited to bring back TreeFest for it’s third year! This family fun tree celebration will include tree friendly arts and crafts, live music, and food trucks. TreesCharlotte will be distributing tree seedlings and will bring back their seedling potting station for anyone who would like their tree potted for them. This is a public event and free for anyone to join! 

More details coming soon

Past events

Gold Rush 2025: Family Feud – Sustainability Edition

Date: Tuesday, Jan 14, 4-5pm

Location: Cone 210B

Join the Office of Sustainability, Student Government Association (SGA), and Venture Outdoor Leadership for a sustainability-themed family feud as part of Gold Rush Spring 2025! Participants will be split into teams (or “families”) to guess the most popular answers to sustainability-themed questions. Prizes will include backpacking supplies and trips offered by Venture! 

Registration is required for this event. You will be assigned a team when you arrive at the event. 

Student Sustainability Summit

Date: Thursday, Oct 3, 5pm – 9pm

Location: Lucas Room, Cone 341

Join the Sustainability Office and representatives from the Student Government Association to learn about ways UNC Charlotte students can make positive change on campus! This event will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet and network with SGA representatives and administrators from departments across campus, brainstorm solutions, and work together to grow sustainability initiatives at UNC Charlotte!

Campus Beautification Day

Two people work plan a tree in a green setting

Date: Wednesday, Oct 16, 9am – 2pm (postponed from Oct 9)

Location: Gage Undergraduate Admissions Building/Lot 8

Join us for a day of cleaning and beautifying our campus! Volunteers will assist university staff in litter pick up and beautification projects.

Registration has closed for this event. If you would like to attend, please email sustainability@charlotte.edu.

Crafting Joy with Sustainable Decorations Workshop

Date: Wednesday, Oct 23, 1-3pm

Location: Atkins Library Area 49 Makerspace

A drop-in event for students and staff to make sustainable and reusable decorations. Makerspace staff provided fabric, cardboard, and other materials and several decoration types to choose from.