Unthsc Earthday24 Webbanner 700x100 V2 2x2024 Earth Day Celebration

Exploring the Hidden Gems of Sustainability at HSC

Earth Day started in 1970 when people demanded we protect public health by protecting our resources (learn more here).  HSC Sustainability has hosted an Earth Day Celebration since 2013 as we are working towards a healthy planet and healthy people.  This year we will celebrate through two events as we “Explore the Hidden Gems of Sustainability on Campus”.  The first event is a Simulation Activity on Tuesday, April 23rd and the second event is the fair on Thursday, April 25th.  Highlights include:

  • FREE succulent (simulation activity)
  • HSC reusable zip bag
  • FREE Boba, ice cream and popcorn
  • Educational booths from both on and off campus
  • Hands-on activities
  • E-waste recycling, clothing swap, and book drive

Click on the drop-down menus to learn more about the event as well as other ways to learn more and take action.

EARTH DAY FAIR (Details for April 25th)

Four pictures at Earth Day Event 2022. First one is three people at the clothing swap, second is a picture of the vendor tables; Third is a picture of Funky Town Fridge, and the Fourth is a picture of people talking at a table. FREE Food & Ice Cream

MET Lawn (Mattison Ave.)

  • Food Trucks:  Just a Little Bowl & El Changarro
  • Melt Ice Cream
  • Vegan and vegetarian options

Interactive Booths & Activities

MET Lawn

  • Organizations and agencies from around the region
  • FREE sprouting kit and demo 
  • Upcycle activity hosted by The Welman Project

Electric Vehicle 101

MET Lawn (Mattison Ave.)

  • Buzz Smith (EVangelist) will share EV basics as well as EV myths and facts
  • HSC EV drivers will be showcasing their cars

Food Demo with Mind Your Garden Urban Farm

MET Lawn

  • Come hear their story towards plant-powered eating, learn a new recipe, and get some food!
  • 11:30am and 12:30pm

HSC Community Garden Tour & Mocktails

Meet at MET Lawn then walk to the garden (less than a 5 min walk)

  • See and learn about the garden while enjoying a refreshing beverage
  • 11:45am and 1pm

FREE Electronic Recycling

MET Lawn

Clothing Swap & Professional Attire Resource Closet

MET Lawn

  • Bring gently used clothing of all sizes to donate, and take what you need
  • Professional clothing will be donated to the student closet (students can take that day)
  • Items not taken will be donated to The Resale Shop (Center for Transforming Lives) that helps women and children in Fort Worth

Student Food Pantry Donation

MET Lawn (Information Tables)

  • Bring a pantry item to donate 
  • Most needed items: toiletries, pasta and breakfast items, canned goods, and healthy snacks

Prizes

Be put in a drawing for one of the following:

  • $100 gift card (sponsored by DeNovix)
  • Under Armor backpacks (sponsored by BSI/NuAire)
  • Stainless steel water bottles (sponsored by DeNovix)
  • Sustainable kitchen goodie bags

VIDEOS (Learn more about sustainability)

“Sustainability is the continued protection of human health and the environment while fostering economic prosperity and societal well-being.” (Fiksel et al. 2012).  All videos can be found on the HSC Sustainability Playlist.  

Lifestyle, Health, & Kids

Food & Gardening

Sprouting Change: You, Food, & the Environment

A series of educational and how-to videos for the Sprouting Change: You, Food, and the Environment grant project.  

  • How to Grow Your Own SproutsLearn how to grow your own nutritious sprouts in an easy, convenient, inexpensive, and quick way.  Kits will be available at the HSC Earth Day Event! (6min)
  • Sprout Recipes – Learn a couple recipes using sprouts. (3min)
  • Composting 101 – Composting is one of the best ways to reduce your impact on the environment.  This video details how composting works and how to build a compost pile. (3min)
  • Food Storage 101 – Learn how to properly store your food to extend the life of food and reduce waste.  (5min)
  • Container Gardening 101 – Learn how to grow edible plants in small spaces using 1, 2, and 5 gallon containers.  (3min)

Reduce – Reuse – Recycle

At HSC

  • 10 Tips from YOUR Sustainability Committee – HSC’s Sustainability Committee was established in 2012.  Here representatives from the committee give 10 tips on how to be more sustainable.  (5min)
  • Sustainability in Our Labs – The Lab Efficiency Action Program (LEAP) encourages labs to be more sustainable.  Learn about the program and hear from researchers across campus.  (4min)
  • Coming Back to Campus the Sustainable Way – As HSC moves toward being more in person from the pandemic, why not come back in a better, more efficient and sustainable way?  Learn 10 tips for coming back to campus the sustainable way.  (8min)

ACTIVITIES ON YOUR OWN OR WITH OTHERS

Nature Walk

Spend some time outdoors this month.  Here are some resources in our area:

Litter Cleanup

Litter on the ground eventually gets in our waterways causing issues for the environment, wildlife, and ourselves (ever heard of microplastics in tap water?).  Here are some resources:

7 Days of Gratitude Journal: Celebrating Our Planet & Our Lives Here on It

Expressing gratitude may decrease stress, lead to better sleep, and increase feelings of happiness and compassion (learn more here).  

Bike Ride

There are many places to ride a bike in our area.  See resources below.

  • Beginner’s Guide to Biking in DFW
  • Fort Worth Bike Sharing – a city-wide network of bike stations.  HSC students receive FREE annual memberships and employees receive $40 annual memberships.  Register using your HSC email address (students use promo code “untstudent” and employees use “untemployee”.  
  • Bike DFW – Promotes cycling in our area and has many resources.

Eco-Activity with Kids

Get your kids involved with Earth Day activities and do them together.