UM-Flint celebrates fourth annual Sustainability Week with hands-on environmental action

The University of Michigan-Flint is hosting its fourth annual Sustainability Week from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4. The weeklong celebration features free food, community service and practical sustainability workshops, and offers students, faculty and staff opportunities to engage with environmental initiatives through hands-on activities and educational programming. The event is coordinated by the Planet Blue Ambassador Program.

"This year's Sustainability Week is all about showing our campus community that sustainability is accessible and impactful," said Jazlynne Cathey, sustainability programs coordinator. "We're not just talking about environmental issues, we're providing tangible ways for everyone to get involved and make a difference in Flint."

Week of action and learning

The celebration kicks off Sept. 27 with "Harvesting Change: Sustainability in Action," a full-day excursion to Detroit's Avalon Village eco-community and Eastern Market. Participants will tour the sustainable community, enjoy dinner and explore practical examples of environmental leadership. The trip is slated for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; limited spots are available and advance registration is required.

Sept. 30 features the Peter M. Wege Lecture livestream with Jennifer Granholm, the former U.S. Secretary of Energy and governor of Michigan. The "Eco-Watch!" event begins at 5 p.m. in the Michigan Rooms A & B, offering students interested in public policy, civic engagement and climate issues a chance to network and hear from a national energy leader.

Oct. 1 brings "The Mending Lab" to the Theatre Lobby from 3-6 p.m., during which participants can repair old clothing through machine sewing, hand stitching, decal application and screen printing. Materials and clothing are provided for those who do not bring their own.

The week concludes Oct. 2 with the Wolverine Day of Service, 2-4 p.m. at River Village Apartments and Family Dollar. Students, faculty and staff will participate in a community litter clean-up, with participants encouraged to stay for the Department of Public Safety Harvest Fest immediately afterward.

Planet Blue Ambassador Program drives campus sustainability

The driving force behind Sustainability Week is the UM-Flint Planet Blue Ambassador Program, the entry point for sustainability engagement across the University of Michigan system. Through comprehensive training sessions, the program educates participants about campus sustainability goals, carbon neutrality commitments and individual action opportunities.

"The Planet Blue Ambassador Program is designed to empower every campus community member with the knowledge and resources they need to live, work, learn and play sustainably," Cathey explained. "It's about creating a culture of sustainability that goes beyond individual actions to collective impact."

The program offers two main training options. Individual participants can complete a self-paced online Canvas course that takes about one hour and covers university sustainability goals, progress tracking and involvement opportunities. Customized training sessions are also available for student organizations, academic departments, classes and research labs.

Groups interested in custom sustainability training can request sessions through the program's online form. There, they can indicate specific interests and work with coordinators to develop tailored content. Previous trainings have involved student organizations, academic departments, laboratory groups and entire classes.

Building campuswide environmental culture

Once certified, Planet Blue Ambassadors receive monthly newsletters, event invitations, workshops, tours and volunteer opportunities. There are no ongoing time commitments, though participants are encouraged to lead by example and help others adopt sustainable practices.

"We're building a community of sustainability leaders who understand that environmental challenges require collective action," Cathey said. "Every person who completes our training becomes equipped to make informed decisions and inspire others to join the movement."

All Sustainability Week events are free and open to the campus community; registration is available through CampusConnections. The Planet Blue Ambassador Program continues to accept applications for individual and group training throughout the academic year. For more information about Sustainability Week or Planet Blue Ambassador training, contact the program at [email protected] or follow @planetblueflint on Instagram.