Sustainability Month 2024 Event Calendar
Welcome to Sustainability Month at the University of Windsor! Throughout March, we're excited to bring our campus community together to celebrate and promote sustainability. Join us in a variety of workshops, guest lectures, volunteer opportunities, and sustainability initiatives aimed at fostering environmental consciousness and social responsibility. Check out our list of events and mark your calendars to get involved. Together, let's make a positive impact on our campus and beyond as we address the UN Sustainable Development Goals and work towards a more sustainable future.
Date: March 4th to 8th
Location: Various
Description:
Open Education Week is an annual celebration of open education globally, and an opportunity to share open educational practice and resources. It is a space to learn about, and be inspired by, the amazing work done by the open education community around the world that is increasing access and equity in education.
This year the Office of Open Learning is hosting a conference throughout the Open Education Week and the entire campus is invited to join us for a week of free events. Events will be added regularly, so check out the list below and join the fun.
Learn more: https://ctl2.uwindsor.ca/openlearning/workshops/5/
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 4th
Time: 5:00 to 8:00pm
Location: EPICentre
Description: Join us as we celebrate the women entrepreneurs that surround us, those that inspired us and those we inspire.
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 5th
Time: 11:30am to 2:00pm
Location: CAW Commons
Description: Drop by the Sustainability Office booth to learn about the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (also known as the Global Goals) as we raise awareness and embed sustainability into campus operations and streategic planning.
Learn what other universities and colleges are doing for SDG Week Canada 2024
#SDGWeekCanada
Date: March 5
Time: 12pm - 12:20pm
Description: Presented by Office of Open Learning, part of Open Education Week
This session will be run on Zoom, so please use this Zoom link to register.
Open education can be a powerful contributor to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), but it requires a carefully considered approach to avoid compounding existing inequalities or contributing further to sustainability challenges with the rapid implementation of digital tools with questionable sustainability. Open Educational Practices (OEP) and Open Educational Resources (OERs) can contribute to expanded learning about each of the SDGs, making knowledge available to a wide audience. OERs can also directly contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education), removing barriers to access. The 2019 UNESCO Recommendation on OER challenges educational institutions to support the transformation of education for sustainability by leveraging digital OER ecosystems and committing to a new social contract with high quality, inclusive, and sustainable education available to all the world's citizens. While some universities have started to actively engage with this concept, there needs to be a rapid acceleration and universality to this work that considers both local and global impact. This session will explore how open educational practices can support sustainable development, surface some of the challenges to this goal, and discuss possible ways forward.
Register: https://ctl2.uwindsor.ca/openlearning/workshops/5/#wkshp-863
Learn what other universities and colleges are doing for SDG Week Canada 2024
#SDGWeekCanada
Date: March 9th to 10th
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Toldo Lancer Centre
Description: BANA, the Rotary Club of Windsor-WIDE and the University of Windsor have come together to bring a truly unique, multi-cultural and inclusive event to our community; and we are hoping you’ll join us.
This year the event will kick-off March Break with an amazing, affordable “Staycation” opportunity at the University of Windsor.
Learn more: https://bana.ca/yqgtogetherfest/
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 11th
Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm
Location: CAW Commons
Description: Engage with the campus departments, student groups and societies along with community partners to learn how to get involved with upcoming events and initiatives, and discover more about campus sustainability.
Accepting items for the Campus Food Pantry (or donate directly to the Campus Food Pantry).
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 14th
Time: 11:00am
Location: Ron W. Ianni Building (LAW Building) Rm. 0104
Description: Hosted by the Environmental Law Society; Hear from practitioners in the environmental law field. Listen to thier stories and experiences and participate in the Q& A session to follow.
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 14th
Time: 11:30am to 3:00pm
Location: CAW Commons
Description: Join us in learning about the circular economy movement, and see how UWindsor students, faculty, and staff can minimize waste and promote sustainable use of resources. Follow link to learn about the campus' current waste reducition programs and zero-waste to landfill intiative.
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 14th
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Location: Meet at BIO 122
Description: Come learn ways to create and support a safe bird-friendly environment including how to sustainably bird, about bird feeders, bird houses and gardening with native plants to improve biodiversity. This session will be followed by a craft, building our own bird feeder and instructions on how to care for it.
Session led by the University of Windsor Ornithology Club.
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 15th to 22nd
Location: Various
Description: EDID Week provides an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the diversity and strength of individuals and groups working to address injustice on campus and beyond.
Learn more: https://www.uwindsor.ca/vp-people-equity-inclusion/376/equity-diversity-inclusion-decolonization-week-2024
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 19th
Time: 11:30am to 3:00pm
Location: CAW Commons
Description: Fair Trade is an important way to make our campus global connections more ethical and sustainable. Our group is currently working on certifying the University of Windsor as a FairTrade Campus. Come visit us at our booth to learn more!
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 19th to 22nd
Location: Various
Description: UWill Discover Sustainable Futures is a year-long peer-reviewed project where students share their scholarship, research, and creative activities in academic and public settings. During the 2024 conference, students will conduct oral presentations, host poster sessions, and compete in a policy brief competition.
Learn more: https://www.uwindsor.ca/uwilldiscover/
Date: March 19
Time: 11:15 - 1:15pm
Location: CAW Auditorium
Description:
Net Zero Simulation Competition (Hosted by UWill Discover and the Sustainability Office) - Includes lunch while supplies last for registered guests. Sign up today!
Date: March 20th
Time: 11:30am to 3:00pm
Location: CAW, near living wall and centralized waste sorting station
Description: The daily operations of an institution frequently produce extra and unneeded resources, food, and energy. To become a more environmentally friendly institution and thereby lessen our negative impact on the environment, it is crucial to reduce this waste. Come visit us at our booth to learn more about zero-waste to landfill practices!
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 21st
Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Location: CAW Commons
Description: 'Make Every Bite Count' Food Skills workshop: Join us for an engaging Food Skills Workshop hosted by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit during Sustainability Month, coinciding with Nutrition Month. Embracing the theme of destigmatizing naturally-imperfect and canned foods, this workshop aims to empower students with essential food skills while fostering discussions on nutrition and accessibility. Learn to make the most of ingredients readily available, and help normalize diverse food choices. Let's cultivate a sustainable, nutritious, and inclusive food culture together.
Bring your own container to assemble your own health snack!
Accepting items at the booth for the Campus Food Pantry (or donate directly to the Campus Food Pantry).
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 21, 2024
Time: 11am -12pm
Location: Hatch Studio Theatre, Jackman Dramatic Art Centre
Description: Building Communities: In Dialogue with Julia Deans
This flagship leadership series event will showcase Chancellor Haddad in a one-on-one interview with Julia about how she used her law degree to make formidable strides in the areas of civic action, social justice and strategic leadership.
UWindsor Chancellor Mary Jo Haddad will engage Julia Deans, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada, in conversation on building community as the next entry in the Chancellor’s Leadership Series on Thursday, March 21.
Since 2020, Deans has led the charity, which focuses on smoothing the path to homeownership for people living with low income. She practised law in Toronto and Hong Kong and built a business in Singapore before becoming CEO of CivicAction, Futurpreneur Canada, and the Canada Children’s Literacy Foundation. Deans chaired Ontario’s Expert Roundtable on Immigration, which developed the province’s first strategy on how immigration could boost its economy.
Follow link for futher details:
Leadership Series: Julia Deans
Register: RSVP for this event prior to Monday, March 18th, by completing the following Qualtrics link: https://uwindsor.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ai5WyhNC5QblJR4
Date: March 22nd
Time: 9am -1pm
Location: Centre for Engineering Innovation (CEI) Atrium
Description: Annual Wolrd Water Day poster preserntation by UWindsor PhG candidates on the impacts of climate change on water water quantity and quality. Hosted by Dr. Tirupati Bolisetti and the Faculty of Engineering.
For more information, visit: World Water Day | United Nations; this years theme is 'Water for Peace'
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: Friday March 22, 2024
Time: 11am - 2pm
Location: Virtual on Teams (link below)
Description:
Join us this week for the Nibi Debtaagwaad: Third Annual Voice of the Water Symposium.
Session 1: Protecting the Great Lakes from Enbridge Line 5
Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Over its lifespan, Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline has experienced dozens of spills, releasing millions of liters of oil into the surrounding lands and waters. Recent developments on the legal front have brought this pipeline into the spotlight as an urgent issue for all water protectors and advocates.
Join us for this important information session where you'll learn more about the impacts and implications for our Great Lakes.
Session 2: Tasha Beeds
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:55pm, with closing by Elder Myrna Kicknosway
Location: Virtual via Teams
Session 3: Elder Myrna Kicknosway - Water Teachings
Time: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: Virtual via Teams
Date: March 23
Time: 8:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Various
Description:
Participate in Earth Hour on campus, in residence or off campus! Suggestions on now you can spend Earth Hour:
- Turn off lights whenever rooms are not in use.
- Unplug any appliance that doesn’t need to stay plugged in for the weekend. This includes battery chargers, appliances and electronic gadgets in your office (i.e., cell phones, lamps, coffeemakers, toasters). Unplug items that do not require a constant energy supply
- If the TV is on and no one is watching it, turn it off!
- Don't stand around with the fridge door open
- Use power bars with an on/off feature, an automatic shut-off or integrated timers.
- Disable screensavers on computer monitors.
- Take advantage of the daylight by turning off lights if your office is near a window.
- Tell a friend about Earth Hour.
- If you can, use the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
- Decrease the amount of time you spend in the shower and don't let taps run unnecessarily
- Unplug electronics like chargers, gaming consoles, and TVs when you're not using them, as they continue to draw energy even when they're not actively being used (called phantom load or vampire power, which can account for approximately 5-10% of all home electricity use).
- Connect with friends for a nature walk
Visit https://www.earthhour.org/ for addional details and suggestions.
Date: March 26th
Time: 10am - 3pm
Location: Registration Table at David A. Wilson Commons (behind Odette)
Description: A community clean up led by the Office of Student Experience.
Registration: https://www.uwindsor.ca/studentexperience/832/spring-community-clean
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 26
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: CAW Commons
Description:
Get outside and participate in an outdoor wellness scavenger hunt around campus to appreciate nature, engage in some mindful grounding tools, and to inspire more sustainable living. Plus, submit photos of your completed scavenger hunt to be entered for a chance to win a prize!
Students will be able to complete the scavenger hunt on their own time. Info booth will take place from 1-2pm in the CAW.
Photo submissions must be uploaded to the accompanying Qualtrics form by Wednesday, March 27th, 2024, at 4:30pm to be eligible for the prize draw.
Scavenger hunt to take place all across campus, the student participants may take photos anywhere they want.
We will emphasize “leave no trace” principles, participants will not be collecting any items. Instead, they will take pictures of their findings and upload their photo submissions to Qualtrics. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from participants who submit their photos by the deadline. Only current registered University of Windsor students will be eligible for the prize draw.
Further information can be found on the Lancer Care website: Lancers Care Calendar here
Date: March 27th
Time: 12 -2pm
Location: Faculty of Law Building, Coffee and Bagel Cafe (Rodzik Cafe, Ground level 0200)
Description: Climate Cafe: Compassion for People and the Planet
Creating a safe space for deep listening and mindful sharing of experiences, resources and ideas for those concerned about climate change and its impacts to individuals, communities and nature.
Session will include a guest speaker, Michael Negussie from Didomi on Environmental Justice, a grounding exercise and a Kahoot session for a sustainability prize pack.
Bring a reusable travel mug for free Fairtrade coffee or tea. We encourage you to bring a non-perishable food item, all collected items will go to the Campus Food Pantry.
In collaboration with the Sustainability Office, Political Science Association, Environmental Law Society and EPICentre.
Register: Click link to register: https://uwindsor.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0kdMJFJhVKeNMlE
Date: March 28
Time: 10am - 12pm
Location: TBD
Description: A low-barrier breakfast initiative organized by the Political Science Association that aims to address the stigma around food insecurity faced primarily by students on the University of Windsor campus.
Sustainable Development Goals:
Date: March 1 -31st
Location: Virtual and across campus
Description: Join the #CaughtGreenHanded social media movement at the University of Windsor! Show off your commitment to sustainability by snapping a photo of yourself engaging in sustainability activities or actions on campus – whether it's cycling to campus, responsibly sorting your waste, using a reusable mug or bottle, having a walking meeting outside, gardening, being compassionate to people and the planet, upcycling materials, or any other 'sustainable' actions!
To participate, simply upload your photo or story to Instagram, use the hashtag #CaughtGreenHanded, #uwindsor and tag @ScienceUWindsor to ensure your entry counts for a chance to win a prize (each post counts as one entry/raffle). You must be a UWindsor student, staff or faculty member to be entered into the raffle. Let's showcase the collective efforts of our community towards a greener, more sustainable campus!
If you would like to participate, but do not have social media accounts, feel free to submit your photo through the online #CaughtGreenHanded google form.
Date: March 25th - March 31st
Location: Across Campus
Description: Discover the campus with a sustainability lens by exploring related intiatives and features that contibute to creating a sustainable campus.
This activity will be taking place throughout the entire month of March. Learn how to participate below.
- Participants will receive clues leading them to 10 locations on campus relating to sustainability.
- Posters at the locations will share interesting facts about sustainability at UWindsor.
- QR codes on posters lead to an online participation form where ‘facts’ can be entered.
- 5 correct answers = 1 entry into raffle, 10 = 2 entries
- The raffle prize pack could be fairtrade coffee, chocolate or tea, a reusable water bottle or a UWin gift card (money loaded to UwinCARD)
Link to Scavenger hunt participant form (coming soon)
Practicing “leave no trace” principles, participants will not be collecting any items; they will read clues of designated posters acorss campus and submit findings on the online form.
You are invited to the 11th Annual Accessibility Awareness Days led by the Accessibility Awareness Days planning committee and Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility.
The team put together an exciting list of sessions, covering timely topics to promote accessibility and ultimately create more welcoming and inclusive communities for all. Click on the links below to register for individual sessions.
Week 1 – Student Changemakers (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 5th - 11:30 am to noon
University of Windsor students share their stories about steps they took to create change for a world that is more accessible, inclusive and welcoming!
Students: Logan Gillingham, undergrad VABE and Femi Soluade, undergrad Political Science
Week 2 – Service Animals in Ontario (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 12 - 11:30 am to noon
Join this workshop to learn more about service animals, what they are, and what they do. This session will also cover the basic rights and responsibilities of handlers and how the community can support inclusion for persons who rely on the support of a service animal.
Week 3 – The Proposed Postsecondary Standard (AODA) (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 19 - 11:30 to noon
Tina Doyle is the Director of AccessAbility at the University of Toronto and the Chair of the Standards Development Committee for the proposed Accessible Postsecondary Education Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Join us as Tina discusses this upcoming legislation and thoughts about what universities can do to get ready.
Week 4 – Film Screening of “Soop on Wheels” and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 26
Collaboratory, Leddy Library
2:00-3:00 pm Meet and Greet with Dr. Sandy Greer (light refreshments will be served)
3:00-4:30 pm Film and Panel Discussion
Join us for a screening in partnership with Turtle Island Aboriginal Education Centre, of Dr. Sandy’s Greer documentary, Soop on Wheels. This is a truth-telling and moving story of a First Nations man, Everett Soop, living with a disability and being an authentically Indigenous man in the late 80’s and early 90’s. His work as a cartoonist, journalist, and activist has since been widely recognized. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion.
Date: Throughout March and April
Location: Various
Description:
Student Health, Counselling & Wellness Services and more than 40 campus and community partners invite you to participate in the Lancers Care Mental Health & Well-Being Calendar throughout Fall and Winter semesters. Take part in free mental health training sessions, well-being workshops, self-care events, information booths, and more!
To learn more and register for events and sessions visit: Lancers Care Calendar | Student Health, Counselling and Wellness (uwindsor.ca)