UMass Celebrates First Campus Sustainability Week

This semester, the Campus Sustainability Initiative celebrated the first annual Campus Sustainability Week (October 24-28), intended to highlight student organizations and university programs that are working to make UMass Amherst an environmentally conscious institution.

The first day of sustainability week coincided with National Food Day. Local specials were featured in all Dining Commons and community members were given a chance to get some exercise on a “Sustainable UMass” bike tour. The day’s events came to a close with a screening of the documentary “Food Inc.”

Students and faculty from the UMass Architecture and Design program’s Design Engagement Studio, in collaboration with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, held a student workshop Wednesday evening. The group is working to establish a “Sustainable Knowledge Corridor” in the Hartford-Springfield region and the workshop was an opportunity for students to learn about the project and offer their insights about what they believe constitutes a “sustainable community”.

Due to inclement weather, activities resumed on Friday and the “Campus Sustainability Green Zone” came to life, featuring representatives from a multitude of student groups, refreshments courtesy of the UMass Permaculture Initiative and the weekly appearance of the Student Farmer’s Market. Industrial Waste, a faculty string ensemble, also shared their musical talents with guests. Passerbys had the opportunity to speak to active members of organizations, ask questions and sign up to receive additional information from different groups.

Tabling groups included Garden Share, People’s Market, Greeno Sub Shop and Living Routes, to name a few.