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Thank you to all who have participated in Earth Month events to date. These activities have generated valuable feedback and organizers have enjoyed engaging with the campus community.

There is still time to participate in a variety of events designed to promote sustainability, foster community involvement and increase climate awareness.

Be sure to check the Earth Month Calendar for remaining campus events.

Here are a few upcoming activities:

Noche de Poetas (Student Open Mic Night) on April 24

Spring Tree Tour on April 28

Sustainability tabling at SCE on April 30

 

Test your knowledge and learn more about how UIC is advancing sustainability across campus by taking the new Sustainability Quiz.

As part of UIC’s climate commitment to become a transformative scholarship university, the quiz offers a fun, interactive educational experience that can be used as a self-guided exercise or incorporated into class curriculum and syllabi.

Organized by key topics from the Climate Commitment Action Plan 2024 and the UIC Climate Commitments, the quiz primarily focuses on campus locations that have implemented sustainability initiatives and offers bonus questions for those who really want to see how much they know about sustainability on campus.

All of the answers can be found on the PSPM website and participants will receive the correct responses by email after completing and submitting their quiz.

Planning, Sustainability and Project Management (PSPM) has created and added new Tree Tour guides for both spring and fall to its website. These resources are designed to help the UIC community learn about the diverse trees that make up the university’s Level II arboretum during two of its most colorful seasons.

Tree tours were led by PSPM staff were held during Earth Month, and the last tour will be held on April 28, starting at 10 a.m. from Student Center West.  If you can’t make that date, you can download a guide and take a self-directed tour.

Please email sustainabilty@uic.edu with any questions.

The fifth annual Sustainability Research & Innovation (SRI) Congress—the world’s largest gathering focused on action-forward, knowledge-based and inclusive approaches to sustainability—is being hosted by the University of Illinois System and will take place in Chicago from June 16 - 19.

The 2025 Congress, the first to take place in the United States, will explore “Pathways to Sustainability,” convening researchers, policymakers and industry leaders to advance solutions for a more sustainable future.

This is a unique opportunity to engage in critical global conversations on climate resilience, Indigenous knowledge, sustainable development and economic transformation.

University of Illinois System students, faculty and staff are eligible for exclusive registration rates and early bird pricing has been extended through May 15:

UIC faculty & staff (full conference): $600 | Code: UI_Staff
UIC faculty & staff (1-day): $300 | Code: UI_Staff1day
UIC students (full conference): $100 | Code: UI_Students
UIC students (1-day): $50 | Code: UI_Student1day

The full program and registration details are available on the SRI website.

PSPM's electric vehicle, Gemma was recently featured by the EVHybridNoire E-Mobility Fellowship Program, a collaboration with UIC Business. As part of the program, Gemma was on display in a high-traffic area of campus to help engage the UIC community around clean transportation and sustainability.

In addition to Gemma, the Facilities Management’s Mean Green Vanquish stand-on mower was also on display to showcase a shift to lower-emission groundskeeping. The EV and lawn mower were purchased with support from the Sustainability Fund. Facilities Management also provided financial support for the electric mower.

The event offered students and visitors an opportunity to learn more about electric vehicles, sustainability initiatives and the innovative work being done through the E-Mobility Fellowship Program.

UIC students enrolled full-time this summer can now extend their travel with the U-PASS+ program, which adds unlimited Metra Rail access (excluding the South Shore line) to the standard CTA U-PASS. This pilot program makes it easier to explore the region without a car.

The summer U-PASS and U-PASS+ will be active from May 14 to August 13 (April 30 to August 13 for the College of Medicine). Opt-in by June 30 to participate in the program. The deadline to opt-out is June 11.

Visit the U-PASS+ webpage for full eligibility requirements, fees and enrollment instructions.

Chicago will host several major sustainability events this spring and summer and all are invited to take part:

The One Earth Film Festival continues through the month of April, featuring powerful in-person and virtual screenings that educate and inspire action on environmental and climate justice. View the schedule on the One Earth Film Festival website.

Chicago River Day, hosted by Friends of the Chicago River, seeks volunteers to join a massive cleanup in more than 75 locations on May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. Community Hubs in Evanston, Pilsen and Riverdale offer additional programming. Registration closes May 2. Visit the Friends of the Chicago River website to learn more and register.

Chicago Water Week, hosted by Current, returns this May with events across the region highlighting innovation, equity and conservation in the water sector. Current is an independent nonprofit water innovation hub founded in Chicago in 2016.  Among its activities is Shedd Aquarium Action Day: Beach Cleanup at 12th Street Beach on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon, which provides an opportunity to take direct environmental action while learning about Great Lakes protection. Learn more by visiting the Chicago Water Week website.

Aspen Ideas: Climate comes to Chicago for the first time July 21–22 in partnership with the Chicago Climate Corps. This high-profile event convenes global and local leaders to spotlight climate solutions through dialogue, innovation and public engagement. Students can apply for free or discounted access by volunteering or applying for scholarships. More information and the application are available on the Aspen Ideas website.

Assistant Director of Sustainability and Communications - University at Albany (SUNY)

Director of Sustainability - Loyola University Maryland

Waste and Recycling Coordinator – Auburn University

Campus Sustainability and Planning Director - Winona State University

Connect with us via Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to stay updated about sustainability-related events, news, jobs and involvement opportunities.

Become an EcoVolunteer
EcoVolunteers help eventgoers properly sort waste, set up and run annual events like the Great Stuff Exchange, talk about UIC’s sustainable initiatives and spread the good word at campus events. EcoVolunteers also help plant trees and native plants on campus.

More information can be found on the EcoVolunteer web page.

Join EcoReps
EcoReps act as liaisons between their unit/department and Planning, Sustainability and Project Management. Group members attend webinars throughout the year to learn about sustainability issues and how to make their office space and culture more sustainable. They also share information with their organizations about upcoming sustainability events such as the Great Stuff Exchange, Campus Electronic Recycling Events and Earth Day.

You can find out more on the EcoReps web page.

The Chancellor's Committee on Sustainability and Energy (CCSE) focuses on implementing CCAP 2024 and achieving the UIC Climate Commitments.

Join a subcommittee!