Cal State San Bernardino’s Office of Sustainability is offering a number of virtual events, both educational and inspirational, in observance of Campus Sustainability Month that started on Oct. 5.

The virtual events throughout Sustainability Month 2020 will feature various engagements including: student speakers, open forums, world food days, and conversations about energy. Additionally, various events will feature front-line, high-profile thought-leaders and activists of climate action, environmental justice, and civic engagement.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all events during Campus Sustainability Week will be virtual, said Lynniece Warren, energy and sustainability officer of the CSUSB Office of Sustainability.

In addition, the Office of Sustainability is asking CSUSB students, faculty and staff to take The Small Paw Pledge, a personal commitment to adopt and practice simple, sustainable life habits and encourage others to do so as well.

“We are asking staff and student organizations to help promote the events and for faculty to consider incorporating these events into their courses. Extra credit and writing prompts for activities are provided,” said Warren. “Please take a few minutes and visit our website to register for an event and take the Small Paw Pledge.”

Held every October, Campus Sustainability Month (CSM) is an international celebration of sustainability in higher education, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) website.

The goal of CSM is to raise the visibility of campus sustainability and provide campus sustainability advocates with a platform through which to deepen campus engagement around sustainability. The office is recruiting sustainability ambassadors to motivate, inspire others to participate in sustainability and setting sustainability goals for the campus Strategic Plan and its working groups. The month serves as a complement to Sustainability Week, which CSUSB holds each year in April, and is often a time for celebration and recognition of the good work that took place over the course of the academic year.

The events for CSUSB Sustainability Month include:

  • World Food Wednesdays, which began on Oct. 7, and continues Oct. 14, 21, 28. Travel the globe with your taste buds by joining world food recipe challenges every Wednesday. Our bonds are strengthened as we celebrate diversity and appreciate the differences within our Coyote family. Follow the recipe, take a picture, then enjoy! Post pictures to Instagram using the hashtag #YotieEats #ResilientCSUSB, or email resilient@csusb.edu to be entered into the prize drawing. Recipe Reveal Here
  • Fresh Produce Box Day, Oct. 13. Access to nutritious food supports student success and health! Without food for the body, learning is impossible. The Obershaw DEN will distribute boxes of fresh produce along with nutritional and preparation tips to current CSUSB students at both campuses. Students should email the DEN to receive time and pick-up instructions due to COVID-19 precautions. Email the DEN
  • Climate Justice = Social Justice, Oct. 14, noon-1 p.m. A CSU collaborative event. This conversation will explore the intersections of people, planet and power. Join intersectional environmental activist “Green Girl” Leah Thomas and indigenous climate activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez for a discussion moderated by CSU Chico AS President Breanna “Bre” Holbert. 
  • Achieving Equity and Social Justice in Transportation, Oct. 20, 8-10 a.m. Accessible, affordable transportation is vital to everyone. Experts will discuss how we define equity in the transportation sector and then look at how policy influences the transportation access for low-income Americans. Speakers are Matt Clic from HNTB, Kome Ajise from SCAG, and the CSUSB Leonard Transportation Center (LTC) Research Challenge Students/Alumni from CSUSB, UCR, and Cal Poly Pomona). For more LTC conversations visit the online collection of Inland Empire Regional Mobility Series.  
  • Future of Energy, Oct. 20, noon-1 p.m. Learn about the future of campus energy planning. Listen to how critical energy challenges of today are shaping the future and join the conversation. Energy leaders from CSU Fullerton and CSUSB in collaboration with electrical vehicle support company Chargepoint will discuss insights to help shape a more sustainable campus and respond to questions from the audience. Speakers: Janet Purchase, Energy & Utility analyst, CSUF Office of Sustainability; Lynniece Warren, Energy & Sustainability manager, CSUSB; Brendan O’Donnell, ChargePoint. 
  • Cook with Chef Ashley, Oct. 22, noon-1 p.m. Sign up for the sustainable cooking class with Chef Ashley of Yotie Eats. Be sure to register in advance to get a list of ingredients so you can cook during the event. You will enjoy a delicious healthy meal at the end. Using the hashtag #ResilientCSUSB or email resilient@csusb.edu to be entered into the prize drawing. Give a shout out to your group, club or department so they will receive recognition for participation in Sustainability Month. 
  • ASI Sustainability Open Forum, Oct 23, 3 p.m. Join Alexandria Thambi, the ASI sustainability representative on social media to have your say. Tune in the Instagram Live by following @asi_csusb and be sure to hashtag #ResilientCSUSB.
  • Sustain-Ability Workshop, Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-noon. Discover how small actions by members of the pack lead to big differences. Learn how CSUSB is creating healthier communities and take note of positive habits that benefit your finances, well-being and the environment. Resilient CSUSB is our campus roadmap that outlines priorities and actions that lead us toward a more sustainable university. Be introduced to our plan and ways you can join the movement. This session is hosted by the Staff Development Center in collaboration with the CSUSB Office of Sustainability. 

For more information, visit the Office of Sustainability website.