Campus Sustainability Month 2026
Past events include outdoor movie nights; transportation fairs; sales at the Botanical Gardens; sustainability-related seminars; campus cleanups; tree plantings student gatherings; and more.
For more information about Campus Sustainability Month, or to suggest an event, email sustainability@charlotte.edu.
For past event examples, see the following announcements of previous week-long celebrations: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Fall 2026 Campus Events:
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Gratitude in the Gardens: Friday, Oct 2, 12pm – 2pm, 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).
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Nature Therapy Walk: Saturday, Oct 3, 9am – 12pm, 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).
Zero Waste Crew Sorting Days: Sunday, Oct 4 and Saturday, Oct 31, 9am – 1pm, Jerry Richardson Stadium between Gates 3 and 4, Mac Everett Way N, Charlotte, NC
Jerry Richardson Football Stadium operates as a zero-waste facility, which means as much waste as possible from the stadium is diverted from the landfill. 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. This opportunity is open to all UNC Charlotte students, staff, and faculty. Registration is required, and spots fill up quickly! Please click on the corresponding sign up form for the date you would like to volunteer below.
Climate Quilt Workshop: Wednesday, Oct 7, 12pm – 2pm, Atkins Library Area 49 Makerspace
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 the campus Climate Change Quilt and could be displayed in the library 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.
Alternative Fall Break: Saturday, Oct 10 – Tuesday, Oct 13, Roan Mountain Highlands
There’s not better way to spend Fall Break then on Roan Mountain! You will explore the highlands of the North Carolina- Tennessee border, enjoying the views by day and camping by night. This trip is open to any experience, whether you have spend your life hiking or camping or this will be your first time sleeping in a tent.
Transportation Fair: Wednesday, Oct 14, 10am – 2pm, Cauble Quad (rain date Wednesday, Oct 21)
Join Parking and Transportation Services and the Office of Sustainability for the annual Transportation Fair! Learn about the diverse modes of transportation available to you as a UNC Charlotte student, faculty, or staff member, and questions surrounding the safety, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of transportation on campus and in the Charlotte region.
Student Sustainability Summit: Saturday, Oct 17, 1pm – 4:30pm, Cone 210
Join the Student Government Association, CGI, and the Office of Sustainability for the biannual Student Sustainability Summit! This semester, we’re diving deep into sustainable careers. Connect with campus and community sustainability leaders, and get insider advice from the UNC Charlotte Career Center. Whether you’re looking for networking opportunities or long-term career development, this summit is your launchpad.
Reuse Rodeo: Clothing Swap: Tuesday, Oct 20 and Wednesday, Oct 21, 10am – 2pm, Belk Plaza
Saddle up for the Reuse Rodeo, a campus event series dedicated to sustainable sharing and refreshing your stash without spending a dime! Bring items you no longer need and trade them for new-to-you treasures. Clean out your closet, clear your bookshelf, and drop by to give great items a second life!
Campus Beautification Day: Thursday, Oct 22, 9am – 2pm (rain date Tuesday, Oct 14), CRI Deck Silver Line Bus Stop, 9100 Robert D. Snyder Rd, Charlotte, NC
Join the Office of Sustainability and Grounds staff for a day beautifying a piece of campus! Volunteers will clean up litter and plant trees in a designated area on campus. Equipment provided; registration required through this form.
Reuse Rodeo: Book Swap: Tuesday, Oct 27 and Wednesday, Oct 28, 10am – 2pm, Belk Plaza
Saddle up for the Reuse Rodeo, a campus event series dedicated to sustainable sharing and refreshing your stash without spending a dime! Bring items you no longer need and trade them for new-to-you treasures. Clean out your closet, clear your bookshelf, and drop by to give great items a second life!
Personally Speaking Series: “Net Values: Environmental, Economic, and Social Entanglements in the Gulf of California: Wednesday, Oct 28, reception at 4:15pm, event begins at 5:15pm
The Personally Speaking series is a UNC Charlotte College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS) signature event. CHESS faculty share more than their research accomplishments; they also share their personal journeys in pursuit of their work.
On October 28th, hear from Dr. Nicole Peterson about Net Values, which provides insight into the fishing community of Loreto and reveals an important role in decision-making that diverges from previous studies. Peterson answers questions such as “why do the fishermen fish?” or “what is the marine park staff doing?”
OFF CAMPUS DURING October 2026:
NC Climate Week Events: Sept 28 – Oct 2, online
The 3rd 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.
Alternative Fuels Vehicle Ride & Drive: Thursday, Oct 1, 10am – 2pm, 2801 Beam Road, Charlotte, NC 28217
Join the City of Charlotte and Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition to test drive and watch demonstrations of alternatively fueled vehicles!
The Catawba Riversweep: Saturday, Oct 3, 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. It will be a day of hard work, fun, fellowship, and action!
Kids in Nature Day (KIND): Sunday, Oct 4, 2:00pm – 5:00 pm, 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! Sign up to volunteer here.
Biketoberfest: Sunday, Oct. 11, Triple C Brewing, 2900 Griffith Street, Charlotte, NC
A family-friendly urban adventure benefitting Sustain Charlotte. This scavenger hunt-style walk-or-bike event welcomes participants to collect stamps at local businesses along the route for chances to win prizes! For pricing and to register, visit https://sustaincharlotte.org/events/biketoberfest/
Charlotte Repair Cafe: Saturday, Oct. 24, 10am – 2pm, 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. Repair Cafe is free, but registration is recommended.https://repaircafenc.org/events/charlotteoctober10.