Events and Programs

EVENTS
Blacksburg farmers market
Saturdays throughout Jan. from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 108 W Roanoke St, Blacksburg, Virginia
Agroforestry and Regenerative Agriculture
Jan. 19 from 2 - 3 p.m.
Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center
Join Adam Taylor, farm manager, Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center and John Munsell, professor and extension specialist, forest resources and environmental conservation. Registration and more information
Sustainable Blacksburg lunch and learn listening session
Jan. 26 from noon - 1 p.m.
Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library
Interactive community listening and brainstorming session to build Sustainable Blacksburg's progress and incorporate new ideas. Available in person and over Zoom.
Earth Week Planning Forum
Jan. 26 from 3 - 4 p.m.
Zoom
Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for event(s) to lead. Contact sustainability@vt.edu for a Zoom invitation.
Science on Tap, "exploring community wealth building and performance art"
Jan. 26 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Rising Silo Brewery, Blacksburg
Join Dr. Ralph Hall and Steven Licardi in exploring the system-changing approach to community economic development that works to produce broadly shared economic prosperity, racial equity, and ecological sustainability through the reconfiguration of institutions and local economies on the basis of greater democratic ownership, participation, and control. More information
Earth Week Planning Forum:
February 9 from 3:00-4:00
Zoom
Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for event(s) to lead. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.
Office of Sustainability Water Team Tabling
February 12 from 10:00-2:00
Blacksburg Farmer's Market
Stop by the Blacksburg Farmers Market to talk to our Water Team student interns to learn more about the benefits of rain barrels.
College of Natural Resources and Environment Lunch and Learn on Citizen Science in Natural Resources
February 17 from 12:00-1:15
Zoom
Citizen science is the involvement of people who are not professional scientists in real forms of scientific study. Join Michelle Prysby, director of the Virginia Master Naturalists, to explore examples of impactful citizen science and to learn how you can get involved in citizen science, regardless of your background. Register here.
Office of Sustainability Water Team Tabling
February 19 from 10:00-2:00
Blacksburg Farmer's Market
Stop by the Blacksburg Farmer's Market to talk to our Water Team student interns to learn more about the benefits of rain barrels.
Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn on Sustainable Volunteer Opportunities
February 23 from 12:00-1:00
Zoom and the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library
Do you feel anxious about the state of our environment? Join us for this month's Lunch and Learn program to hear from both organizers and volunteers about some of the most impactful projects in our area and how you can get involved. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.
Giving Day
February 23-24 from noon-noon
https://givingday.vt.edu
Join the Virginia Tech community for Giving Day, a 24-hour celebration of the Hokie Spirit and the power of giving back. You choose where you want your gift to have an impact, and special challenges mean that your gift can go further and do more good than at any other time of the year. If you'd like to donate to Sustainability, visit https://givingday.vt.edu and look for our name under "Additional Areas of Support."
Earth Week Planning Forum
March 2 from 4 - 5 p.m.
Zoom
Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for events to lead. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.
Communicating Science Week
March 16 - 23
Virginia Tech’s Center for Communicating Science celebrates its 5th anniversary in March, including a week’s worth of exhibitions, talks, workshops, and more. Learn more here: https://communicatingscience.isce.vt.edu/
College of Natural Resources Lunch and Learn
March 17 from 12 - 1:15 p.m.
Zoom
Email cnreadvancement@vt.edu to register.
Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn
March 23 from 12 - 1 p.m.
Zoom or Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library
Check out their website to register: https://sustainableblacksburgva.org/
Earth Week Planning Forum
March 23 from 4 - 5 p.m.
Zoom
Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for events to lead. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.
Student Sustainability Internship Application Deadline
March 25 at 5 p.m.
Want to make a lasting impact at VT while also promoting sustainability? Apply to be a student intern with the Virginia Tech Office of Sustainability. More information here: https://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustainability-programs/energy-and-sustainability-internship-program.html
Bike to Campus Day
April 18
Kick off the week by bicycling to Virginia Tech. Free food, bike help, giveaways, and alternative transportation assistance will be available at the Hokie Bike Hub, Drillfield, and Duck Pond Gazebo from 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. The Hokie Bike Hub will be operating as normal to assist with more challenging mechanical issues.
Plastics Recycling Game
April 18 from 4 - 6 p.m.
Squires Plaza
The Office of Sustainability's waste team interns will be hosting a soft plastics sorting game at the Squires Plaza from 4 - 6 p.m. to highlight recyclable in the Blacksburg campus soft campus recycling bins as part of university efforts toward a zero waste campus. Costumes for photo moments will also be included.
Pop Up Bike Repair Station
April 19 from 12 - 2 p.m.
Owens Hall
The Hokie Bike Hub will host a pop up service station to assist with repairs and answer alternative transportation questions outside Owens Hall from noon to 2 p.m.
Moss Arts Center Waste Audit
April 19 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Moss Arts Center
Join the Office of Energy Management at the certified LEED Gold Moss Arts Center from 1 - 2:30 p.m. for a survey and analysis of the facility's waste stream. This will be used to create a waste profile and identify opportunities for improving recycling strategies. Register online.
Climate Action Commitment - One Year Later Panel Discussion
April 20 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Zoom
The Office of Sustainability will host a panel discussion with experts from the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities; Transportation Services; the academic community; and current students to explore Virginia Tech's progress toward reaching its Climate Action Commitment goals. This event will begin with an overview of the Climate Action Commitment, followed by a series of short presentations by participating members, and a question and answer section. Register online.
Zero Waste Picnic
April 20 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Ag Quad
The Office of Sustainability's food and waste intern teams will be hosting a picnic with Jeopardy! at the Ag Quad from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Pop Up Bike Repair Station
April 21 from 12 - 2 p.m.
West End Market
The Hokie Bike Hub will host a pop up service station to assist with repairs and answer alternative transportation questions outside West End Market from noon to 2 p.m.
Moss Arts Center LEED-Focused Tour
April 21 from 1 - 2 p.m.
Moss Arts Center
Members of the Office of Sustainability's energy intern team will be offering tours of the Moss Arts Center from 1 - 2 p.m., identifying sustainable aspects of the facility. The tour will explore ideas for improving the building's LEED rating and how to obtain LEED certifications for other campus facilities. Register in advance.
Arbor Day Celebration
April 23 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Duck Pond
Join the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities and the College of Natural Resources and Environment at a ceremonal tree planting at the Duck Pond followed by tours of campus trees from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Activities include sharing the story of a black willow once located at the pond, demonstrations of proper planting and safety techniques, and three separate tours of Virginia Tech's trees.
"Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story" Screening
May 3 from 7 - 9 p.m.
The Lyric
Doors open at 6:30. Join Sustainable Blacksburg and Friends of the Farmers Market for a FREE movie screening about food waste followed by a panel discussion.
Green Grads Cord pick up
May 6 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Squires Info Booth
Swing by our Green Grads table to sign a pledge to live sustainably after graduation. People who pledge can pick up their free green cord to wear at graduation at this table.
Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn
May 25 from 12 - 1 p.m.
Zoom or the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library
Register here: https://sustainableblacksburgva.org/
Summer Soltice Fest
June 18 from 1 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Downtown Blacksburg
More information available here: https://downtownblacksburg.com/summer-solstice-blacksburg.aspx
National Pollinator Week
June 20-26
Keep an eye on the Bee Campus VT social media accounts (@beecampusvt) for more information about upcoming events.
Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn
June 22 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library or Zoom
Register here: https://sustainableblacksburgva.org/
Lights Out!/Power Down!
June 23 from 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Virginia Tech campus
Members of Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus community will be asked to turn off and unplug all noncritical lighting and electrical loads in residence halls, classrooms, offices, and laboratories during the university’s annual Lights Out!/Power Down! event.
During the event, Rec Sports will be convening a 3-mile walk that will begin and end at McComas Hall. Hokie Wellness will host a free outdoor yoga class located at the Prairie Quad (near Hoge, O'Shaughnessy, and Pritchard Halls). Both activities will begin at 2 p.m. More information can be found here: https://vtx.vt.edu/notices/adm-evergreens/ops-lightsoutpowerdown.html
Annual New River Valley Garden Tour
July 9 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Showcases innovative, specialty and simply beautiful private gardens in the New River Valley. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library with the cooperation of the New River Valley Master Gardeners’ Association. Find more information, including descriptions and locations of the gardens and online link for ticket purchase at: http://www.mfrlfriends.org/wp/garden-tour/.
Enjoy Your National Forest
July 22 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Floyd-Montgomery Regional Library
Ranger Christensen gives a brief overview of the Eastern Divide Ranger District/George Washington-Jefferson National Forest and the Forest Service.
Monthly Sustainable Sunday Garden Tour
July 24 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Blacksburg
This month’s tours of Arlean Lambert’s residential garden and the Hale Community Garden highlight edible landscaping and fruit and vegetable gardening. The Hale Community Garden is also home to the Roper Solar Greenhouse, beehives, food forest and pollinator garden.
Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn: Low Waste with Kids
July 27 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Floyd-Montgomery Regional Library or Zoom
Bring the family and learn about a variety of ways to reduce waste in your home and life. We will have a lively discussion about the things we already do, as well as a hands on activity for the kids. Come in person or register to participate virtually via Zoom at rb.gy/apla39
Steppin' Out
August 5 & 6
Downtown Blacksburg
The Office of Sustainability will be tabling in partnership with Sustainable Blacksburg on August 5 at Steppin' Out. Steppin' Out features over 200 artists and craftspeople selling unique handcrafted items – jewelry, pottery, textiles, metal work, basketry, stained & fused glass, yard art, fine art, furniture, toys, artisan foods and so much more!
Sustainable Transportation Fair
August 25 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Squires Plaza
The Alternative Transportation team will be hosting a sustainable transportation fair in Squires Plaza to talk to students about the benefits of alternative transportation and the options available to them at Virginia Tech.
ReNew the New
August 27
The New River
Register for ReNew the New, the region's annual river cleanup. Get outside, join your neighbors and support a cleaner river! This year it will be held on August 27th at a New River Valley locality near you. To register visit: https://renewthenew.org/projects/.
PROGRAMS
There are countless ways the Hokie community can take action to get engaged in Virginia Tech's sustainability efforts. Check out our green programs and get involved today!
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Click here to learn about sustainability-related academic programs and opportunities.
Climate Action Commitment Working Group Presentations
The Climate Action Commitment Working Group is available to present to your department, college, student organization, commission, and more on Climate Action Commitment implementation. Please email energy@vt.edu to coordinate.