June 2023 Newsletter

June 2023 Newsletter

The 2nd Annual UVU Sustainability Summit provided a gathering place for thought leaders in the campus community, Utah County, and beyond to envision and take collaborative action on sustainability issues like water, energy, air quality, transportation, recreation, and a resilient economy. By working together, we can foster a healthy environment and high quality of living now and into the future.

UVU Earth Month Recap

Earth Day, established in 1970, is celebrated every year on 22 April. UVU Wolverines found lots of ways to be green and honor the planet throughout the month of April, so we just call it Earth Month. Here are some of the ways we connected with the planet and with each other:

  • April 5 & 25 - Really Really Free Market
  • April 12 - Interfaith Trip to Bridal Veil Falls
  • April 12 - Earth Science Club Trivia Night
  • April 12 - Sustainability Summit and Campus Sustainability Tour
  • April 12 & 13 - Botany Club Plant Sale
  • April 13 & 18 - Volunteer activity at the GRIT Garden
  • April 21 - EARRRRTH DAY Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Repair - gear swap, repair clinics, environmental films
  • April 26 - Arbor Day tree planting activity - UVU is a certified "Tree Campus"
  • April 28 - Urban Geography class presentations on light pollution, xeriscape/low-water landscaping, and remote sensing of greenness

Photo of staff and volunteers at a tree-planting activity

UVU Grounds staff and volunteers planted five new trees on the west side of main campus.

2nd Annual Sustainability Summit & Campus Sustainability Tour

Photos of the Sustainability Summit 2023

 

The 2nd Annual UVU Sustainability Summit provided a gathering place for thought leaders in the campus community, Utah County, and beyond to envision and take collaborative action on sustainability issues like water, energy, air quality, transportation, recreation, and a resilient economy. President Tuminez opened the Summit and was followed by a keynote speaker and four panel discussions.

In addition to the keynote and panel sessions, the Summit also launched the inaugural UVU Campus Sustainability Tour, where guests traversed campus while learning from operations specialists how UVU is engaging in environmental stewardship. Coming this fall we will launch the Campus Sustainability Tour Series with in-depth monthly themes. September's tour will be in the gardens and October's will focus on UVU grounds and water conservation. Other monthly themes will include transportation, composting, energy, and waste/recycling.

 

UVU School of Aviation Sciences leading out on getting the lead out

The School of Aviation Sciences at Utah Valley University (UVU) will be the first collegiate flight training program in the nation to switch to fully unleaded aviation fuel (UL94) for its training fleet.

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President and CEO Curt Castagna offered the Association’s congratulations on UVU’s announcement.

“NATA is proud of Utah Valley University’s leadership in demonstrating community partnership and environmental progress in making the switch now to UL94, as the industry evolves to a commercially viable fuel that will serve 100% of the piston powered fleet,” Castagna said. “As an academic facility and early adopter of UL94, UVU has an opportunity to be among the first to educate the industry on flying with environmentally friendly aviation fuels, while training the future pilot workforce.”

Read the full article at this link.

Events

Local

National and Global

3 June (1st Sat) - National Trails Day     |     5 June - World Environment Day     |     8 June - World Oceans Day     |     15 June - Global Wind Day     

21 June - Summer Solstice     |     22 June - World Rainforest Day

Academic Opportunities

  • COMM 3115 Environmental Communication (Fall 2023 B Block) - includes a field trip to the Capitol Reef Field Station 18-21 October