A fun and creative “environment” for learning about sustainability

By Mike Porter

The Virginia Commonwealth University student “Year of the Environment” celebration attracted a crowd to the VCU Student Commons Plaza.

The day’s activities were meant to be a fun way to learn about environmental issues and sustainability and were sponsored by Green Unity for VCU, a student organization devoted to promoting environmental awareness and education, the VCU Student Government Association, and the VCU Center for Environmental Studies.

The plaza was divided into quadrants, one for each season, and students, VCU units and community organizations teamed up to promote a sustainability theme in each quadrant.

Organizers also created a number of unusual environmentally themed games like a “guess the number of cigarette butts in a jar” contest based on cigarette butts collected from a recent cleanup along West Grace Street, and “recyclables” ring toss, featuring recycled bottles. Students won stainless steel water bottles, Ellwood Thompson’s Natural Market gift cards and a bike.  

The student celebration followed VCU’s launch of the Year of the Environment last month to highlight the contributions and leadership that university’s can bring to further improve Virginia’s sustainable practices and the impact on natural resources.

For more information on VCU student sustainability efforts, email greenunity4vcu@gmail.com or check out the group’s Facebook page at Green Unity 4 VCU.