Sustainability

Get involved

We all have a role to play in making healthy, sustainable choices for our campus and our planet. Sustainability involves hard work and dedication from every member of our community, including you!

You can get involved by attending events, volunteering, nominating someone for a sustainability award and following UM Sustainability on social media.

A group of people participate in the Jack Frost Challenge by snowshoeing in an open area at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.

Get involved

Attend or celebrate an event

Join us throughout the year for a variety of events. Some of these are hosted on campus, while others are larger community or national events that we can participate in as part of our commitment to global sustainability awareness.

September

National Forest Week
National Tree Day
World Green Building Week
World Rivers Day
October

Sustainability Month
Waste Reduction Week
Fair Trade Week
November

Buy Nothing Day
December

International Volunteer Day
Human Rights Day
February

Jack Frost Challenge
Winter Bike to Work Day
March

Sustainability Day and Awards
UMSU Sustainability Week
World Water Day
Earth Hour
April

Earth Day
May

Campus Beautification Day
Jane’s Walk
June

Commuter Challenge
Bike to Work Day & Week
Canadian Environment Week
Clean Air Day
World Oceans Day

Past Events

Eastern Transportation Corridor Design Workshop

For more event information

Watch our social media accounts for information on these events. You can also contact us.

Certify your next event

Become a Sustainability Ambassador

The Sustainability Ambassador Program is a volunteer leadership program for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in promoting a culture of sustainability at UM through growth, education, research and action.

As a Sustainability Ambassador, you will lead and inspire the campus community to learn more about sustainability and explore how sustainability practices can change lives in a positive way.

Some benefits of being a Sustainability Ambassador:

Earn Co-Curricular Credit on your transcript
Gain job-related skills and experience
Participate in sustainability-related events, projects and research
Make new friends by increasing connections within the UM community

Sustainability Ambassador Projects Fall 2021:

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Working Group: Join a passionate team of students working to educate, connect and mobilize students to make positive change on campus and advance the SDGs at the University of Manitoba.
Rainbow Gardens: Volunteer and help with cleanup on this 2-acre plot on Fort Garry campus, coordinated by the Refugee Immigrant Farming & Integration in Manitoba Inc. (RIFIM).
Social Media Marketing: Create a plan to increase engagement with our communications looking at the logistics and analytics in order to grow a larger audience and improve the connection with our students, staff and faculty.
Transportation: Go Manitoba: Promote the program and register as a mentor to lead a bike ride, walk or bus ride.
Water: Map existing water bottle filling stations on campuses and identify any gaps where additional filling stations would be beneficial.
Sustainable Procurement Guidelines: Research and provide written ideas for new purchasing guidelines.
Event Tabling: Over the course of the year there are monthly events where volunteers are needed to greet students at our table and direct them to various resources and event information.

How do I join?

Visit the UM CareerConnect website. Login and view the Co-Curricular page.

Join a sustainability group

There are a wide range of active groups on campus working on social, environmental or economic sustainability issues or sustainable development. Many have volunteer or membership opportunities, and we invite you to check them out.