Sustainability Month 2022

Looking for motivation to still get your steps in? Open to anyone in and related to the UB community, the challenge is a mindful way to boost your healthy lifestyle and reduce stress. Sign up, track your steps and compete for great prizes.

The month-long challenge is part of the school's annual National Public Health Week celebration, which features activities and learning opportunities. Sponsored by the School of Public Health and Health Professions.

In collaboration with:

• Associate Professor Maria S. Horne’s TH423/TH540 classes
• Assembly House
• Buffalo Maritime Center
• Silo City
• UB Departments of Art, Indigenous Studies, Music, Sustainability, Theatre and Dance
• UB School of Architecture and Planning

The Lab will culminate with Orientation, a sculpture made of Lake Erie mussel shells, sand, silt and rubble, and Delegation, a journey across Lake Erie during which a group of musicians, poets and artists will compose a piece of music to be performed live on opening night at the Front Triennial.

When: Lab intensive: April 1–May 13, 2022

Where: Assembly House, Canalside Longshed, Silo City, UB Center for the Arts and other locations

The WNY Earth Day Challenge, which runs from March 21 - April 30, 2022, is a series of themed activities, actions and events that you can participate in at various locations around WNY (including at home or school).  From see it, to learn it, fix it, do it, or make it – we’ve got it covered!  The actions in the Challenge feature the work of environmental programs and non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the environment in WNY.

For every one of those items that a WNY resident completes and submits, they are entered into a raffle for great prizes including a mountain bike from Bert's Bikes, a year-long membership to the Buffalo Museum of Science, a private group expedition at Penn Dixie, a Birthday Party at Tifft Nature Preserve, gift cards, and more!

The Challenge is a great way for you to learn more about the work that is going on to improve the environment in WNY and take actions to help protect our special place on the planet. You will even find activities that you would like to do with a group, such as your block club, scout troop, church group or classroom.

Jeffrey Hales, chair of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), will deliver a free lecture as part of the UB School of Management's Helen and Oscar Sufrin Lectureship in Accounting. Hales' talk, titled "Sustainability Reporting: What is it and What to Expect?", is open to the public and will be followed by Q&A.

Time: 6:00-7:00pm

Where: Theater (Room 201) Student Union

The New York State Green Building Conference is the premier green building conference in the Northeast. Conference participants represent many industries including architecture, engineering, construction, consulting, landscape architecture, education and more. The Mass Timber Symposium will build capacity in the NYS Architecture, Engineering, and Construction community to design and deliver all the potential that this new approach offers.

Register By March 24 here.

Come join us for the hallmark of event of disability pride week. We will be hosting a webinar with Jen Deerinwater on the intersection of disability, indigeneity, and environmental justice. All are welcome!

When: 5:00 - 6:15 PM ON ZOOM

Search for a range of environment and sustainability professions whose opportunities, perks, and values align with your interests. Get an exclusive look inside sustainability perspectives. Plus, our guest speakers will share their personal experiences in the industry and how their work contributes to their organization's sustainability initiatives.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Alexandra Holland
Executive Director of the WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable

Justin Imiola
Adjunct Professor, Sustainable Business Practices, Daemen College

Senior Consultant, Anthesis Group

Nira Johri
Director, Global Diversity & Sustainability
Rich Products Corporation

Marlon Kerner
Community Director

Entrepreneurship forever (eForever)

Brian Smith
Associate Executive Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment

Time: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m
Location: 220 Student Union

Host of “Wildlife Nation”, renowned conservationist and environmental journalist Jeff Corwin has been telling stories of wildlife and nature to a global audience through his many celebrated television series on ABC, NBC, Travel Channel, Food Network, Disney Channel and Discovery Networks. He will be giving a talk as part of UB's Distingished Speaker Series where he will be exploring journeys of culture, adventure and nature around the globe.

Time: 7:00 PM 

Where: Center for the Arts 

This year’s CLOE conference will address this fundamental question—and give you the tools to expand your ethical behavior so you can better support your colleagues, help them grow and motivate them to perform at their highest levels.

In Person: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, includes four keynote speakers, lunch, networking and your choice of breakout sessions.

Location: The Powerhouse, 140 Lee Street, Buffalo, NY 14210

Online includes four keynote speakers, Location: Zoom

Hosted by the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (CLOE)

In the United States, the term “socialism” has been widely misunderstood and used to discredit even modest reforms. This symposium will explore achievements and missteps in implementing socialism in China, India, Scandinavia, and Latin America.  It will weigh socialism’s value in addressing global challenges of climate change, economic inequality, and human rights abuses.

Registration is free.  Register for both the in-person and virtual symposium by emailing dussourd@buffalo.edu. The Symposium poster is available here.

Solid mental health is foundational to the sustainability of the soul. The world we live in makes it difficult to not feel anxious or depressed. The eco-anxiety caused by climate change can be alleviated through meditation and restorative practices. Health Promotion has infused sustainability themes at their weekly Meditations Groups on Fridays throughout April. 

3-4pm | SU Back Courtyard

Inaugural PRIDE LECTURE featuring Ericka Hart!

Join the Intercultural and Diversity Center and Office of Inclusive Excellence in welcoming Ericka Hart in the inaugural University at Buffalo Pride Week Lecture. Ericka Hart is a kinky, poly, cancer-warrior, activist, and sexuality educator. She is credentialed with a Master's of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University, and has taught sexuality education in New York City for over ten years.

When: 7 - 8:30 p.m. 

Where: Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall

March to celebrate your identity, support your peers, and honor the history of LGBTQ+ activists who paved the way for the community today. Beginning in Knox Quad at the Progress Pride Paths, this march will be immediately followed by a mixer with speakers, food, and conversation in the Student Union Lobby.

When: 3 - 6 p.m. 
Where: March departs from Knox Quad at the Progress Pride Paths

Get the insider trade. Meet one-on-one with employers as they spill the tea about the sustainability industry. They'll share industry knowledge and answer all of your questions about resumes, interviews, personal branding, career advice, and tips on making sustainability a profession. 

 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | 259 Capen Hall

Solid mental health is foundational to the sustainability of the soul. The world we live in makes it difficult to not feel anxious or depressed. The eco-anxiety caused by climate change can be alleviated through meditation and restorative practices. Health Promotion has infused sustainability themes at their weekly Meditations Groups on Fridays throughout April. 

3-4pm | SU Back Courtyard

Join us for the first annual sustianability bazaar! This event will feature sustainability oriented clubs and organizations. Engage with all the clubs doing everything sustianability! 

When: Friday, April 15 2022 at 12:00-4:00 PM

Where: Student Union 

Parking and Transportation Services, Campus Living and University Police would like to invite you to UB Bike Days next week on the North and South Campus! We want to help you keep your bike road-ready for the rest of the bicycling season.

Expert bicycle mechanics will be at The Commons on North Campus April 18^th (10am-2pm) to oil chains, check brakes and perform basic maintenance on your bicycle - FOR FREE!!! **Please note that due to demand, bikes are not accepted into the queue after 1:30pm**

Negative environmental impacts are felt disproportionately more often in marginalized and disadvantaged communities, especially those that are primarily lived in by people of color. Derek Nichols, UB Sustainability, and Jeremy Sanford, MUP Candidate, will host an introduction on environmental justice that provides an overview of the history of the movement, its causes, and its connection to higher education. Following the presentation will be time for a discussion and reflection on participants’ experiences facing environmental injustice on campus. 

When: Apr 19, 2022 12-1:30pm 

Where: Zoom

Parking and Transportation Services, Campus Living and University Police would like to invite you to UB Bike Days next week on the North and South Campus! We want to help you keep your bike road-ready for the rest of the bicycling season.

Expert bicycle mechanics will be at Main Circle on South Campus April 19^th (10am-2pm) to oil chains, check brakes and perform basic maintenance on your bicycle - FOR FREE!!! **Please note that due to demand, bikes are not accepted into the queue after 1:30pm**

Clubs and organizations will table alongside sustainable activities put on by  Campus Living Staff. at this large-scale event. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in environmental sustainability in our Buffalo community.

Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm

Location: Ellicott South and Greiner

Are we ready to make change on our campus?

Our university has already cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in the last few years, but as we continue on our path to neutrality, the tactics and strategies we take to get there will become more difficult, costlier and require greater change.

The campus and the individuals that make it the dynamic place it is will have to make key priority investments and changes that require us to give up past behaviors that drive our daily operations.  Are you prepared to eat less (or no) meat in the dining halls? Greatly reduce attending conferences in person? Pay a fee for the carbon you emitted to commute to UB? Throw on a sweater to account for a two degree thermostat drop?   Our world and our campus demand strong and swift action to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate and while many of our solutions will create greater opportunity and advance our mission of teaching, research and engagement, it is also clear that we will need to make sacrifices, specific investments and collective changes to enable broader systems transformation.

Join us for a difficult, open, fun and much needed conversation centered around what we are willing to do as an institution, a collective and as individuals to meet the challenge and how it can help advance our university’s climate action strategy.

Time: 9-10:30am

Location: Center for the Arts, Main Stage

Solid mental health is foundational to the sustainability of the soul. The world we live in makes it difficult to not feel anxious or depressed. The eco-anxiety caused by climate change can be alleviated through meditation and restorative practices. Health Promotion has infused sustainability themes at their weekly Meditations Groups on Fridays throughout April. 

3-4pm | SU Back Courtyard

Join The Tool Library and our community partners for service events across the University and Masten Districts this spring!

When: Meet at 10AM 

Where: The Tool Library (5 W. Northrup Place)

Join Engineers for a Sustainable World, UB Sustainability and Niagara Buffalo Waterkeep at their Spring Sweep. Efforts will be focused around Bizer Creek, the UB Bees and the Campus Garden. Come dressed to get muddy!

Time: 10-12pm

Location: Meet in Center for Tomorrow Lot

New York State’s 22-member Climate Action Council, established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold 10 public hearings across the State to receive public input on the Draft Scoping Plan and advance work on a Final Scoping Plan to guide the implementation of the State’s nation-leading climate goals under the CLCPA. In-person hearings will also be live-streamed to allow for remote viewing of the proceedings. All persons, organizations, corporations, and government agencies are encouraged to attend the public hearings and to submit oral or written comments.

Time: 3:30 PM

Where: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library , Mason O. Damon Auditorium, 1 Lafayette Square  
Buffalo, NY 14203

80% of people find jobs or internships through people they know. So start growing your network at the GRoW Clean Energy Center on North Campus. Join employers from the sustainability industry in a casual night of networking. 

Time: 4-6pm

Location: GRoW Clean Energy Center

Join The Tool Library and our community partners for service events across the University and Masten Districts this spring!

When: Meet at 10AM 

Where: The Tool Library (5 W. Northrup Place)

Please join us to help pick up a winter’s worth of windblown trash from the shoreline of Lake LaSalle. Many hands make light work!

This is a great way to help prepare the campus for commencement. It has been a couple of tough years for large on-campus events. Let’s help UB Facilities Staff prepare the grounds for one of the most memorable visits ever to campus by UB families and friends.

Trash bags and some pairs of gloves will be provided. Wear comfortable clothes. This will be a (light) rain or shine event. It is usually muddy so bring shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. If you have a trash grabber at home you may like to bring it.

DATE: Saturday, April 30, 2022
TIME: 9:00 -12:00 Noon
LOCATION: Meet at the UB Boat Launch behind UB Commons

Please RSVP or inquire to Don Erb at 645-5619 or at erb@buffalo.edu

Join The Tool Library and our community partners for service events across the University and Masten Districts this spring!

When: Meet at 10AM

Where: Bailey-Dartmouth Garden (3259 Bailey Avenue)