Events and Programs

Blacksburg farmers market

Saturdays throughout Jan. from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 108 W Roanoke St, Blacksburg, Virginia

Agroforestry and Regenerative Agriculture

Jan. 19 from 2 - 3 p.m. 

Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center

Join Adam Taylor, farm manager, Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center and John Munsell, professor and extension specialist, forest resources and environmental conservation. Registration and more information

Sustainable Blacksburg lunch and learn listening session

Jan. 26 from noon - 1 p.m.

Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library

Interactive community listening and brainstorming session to build Sustainable Blacksburg's progress and incorporate new ideas. Available in person and over Zoom.

Earth Week Planning Forum

Jan. 26 from 3 - 4 p.m.

Zoom

Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for event(s) to lead. Contact sustainability@vt.edu for a Zoom invitation.

Science on Tap, "exploring community wealth building and performance art" 

Jan. 26 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Rising Silo Brewery, Blacksburg

Join Dr. Ralph Hall and Steven Licardi in exploring the system-changing approach to community economic development that works to produce broadly shared economic prosperity, racial equity, and ecological sustainability through the reconfiguration of institutions and local economies on the basis of greater democratic ownership, participation, and control. More information

Earth Week Planning Forum: 

February 9 from 3:00-4:00

Zoom

Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for event(s) to lead. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.

Office of Sustainability Water Team Tabling

February 12 from 10:00-2:00

Blacksburg Farmer's Market

Stop by the Blacksburg Farmers Market to talk to our Water Team student interns to learn more about the benefits of rain barrels.  

College of Natural Resources and Environment Lunch and Learn on Citizen Science in Natural Resources

February 17 from 12:00-1:15

Zoom

Citizen science is the involvement of people who are not professional scientists in real forms of scientific study. Join Michelle Prysby, director of the Virginia Master Naturalists, to explore examples of impactful citizen science and to learn how you can get involved in citizen science, regardless of your background. Register here.

Office of Sustainability Water Team Tabling

February 19 from 10:00-2:00

Blacksburg Farmer's Market

Stop by the Blacksburg Farmer's Market to talk to our Water Team student interns to learn more about the benefits of rain barrels. 

Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn on Sustainable Volunteer Opportunities

February 23 from 12:00-1:00

Zoom and the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library

Do you feel anxious about the state of our environment? Join us for this month's Lunch and Learn program to hear from both organizers and volunteers about some of the most impactful projects in our area and how you can get involved. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.

Giving Day

February 23-24 from noon-noon

https://givingday.vt.edu

Join the Virginia Tech community for Giving Day, a 24-hour celebration of the Hokie Spirit and the power of giving back. You choose where you want your gift to have an impact, and special challenges mean that your gift can go further and do more good than at any other time of the year. If you'd like to donate to Sustainability, visit https://givingday.vt.edu and look for our name under "Additional Areas of Support."

Earth Week Planning Forum

March 2 from 4 - 5 p.m.

Zoom

Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for events to lead. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.

Communicating Science Week

March 16 - 23

Virginia Tech’s Center for Communicating Science celebrates its 5th anniversary in March, including a week’s worth of exhibitions, talks, workshops, and more. Learn more here:  https://communicatingscience.isce.vt.edu/

College of Natural Resources Lunch and Learn

March 17 from 12 - 1:15 p.m.

Zoom

Email cnreadvancement@vt.edu to register. 

Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn

March 23 from 12 - 1 p.m.

Zoom or Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library

Check out their website to register: https://sustainableblacksburgva.org/

Earth Week Planning Forum 

March 23 from 4 - 5 p.m.

Zoom

Get involved in Earth Week 2022 by being part of its planning process or sharing ideas for events to lead. Email sustainability@vt.edu to register.

Student Sustainability Internship Application Deadline 

March 25 at 5 p.m.

Want to make a lasting impact at VT while also promoting sustainability? Apply to be a student intern with the Virginia Tech Office of Sustainability. More information here: https://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustainability-programs/energy-and-sustainability-internship-program.html

Bike to Campus Day

April 18

Kick off the week by bicycling to Virginia Tech. Free food, bike help, giveaways, and alternative transportation assistance will be available at the Hokie Bike Hub, Drillfield, and Duck Pond Gazebo from 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. The Hokie Bike Hub will be operating as normal to assist with more challenging mechanical issues. 

Plastics Recycling Game

April 18 from 4 - 6 p.m.

Squires Plaza

The Office of Sustainability's waste team interns will be hosting a soft plastics sorting game at the Squires Plaza from 4 - 6 p.m. to highlight recyclable in the Blacksburg campus soft campus recycling bins as part of university efforts toward a zero waste campus. Costumes for photo moments will also be included. 

Pop Up Bike Repair Station

April 19 from 12 - 2 p.m.

Owens Hall

The Hokie Bike Hub will host a pop up service station to assist with repairs and answer alternative transportation questions outside Owens Hall from noon to 2 p.m.

Moss Arts Center Waste Audit

April 19 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Moss Arts Center

Join the Office of Energy Management at the certified LEED Gold Moss Arts Center from 1 - 2:30 p.m. for a survey and analysis of the facility's waste stream. This will be used to create a waste profile and identify opportunities for improving recycling strategies. Register online. 

Climate Action Commitment - One Year Later Panel Discussion

April 20 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Zoom

The Office of Sustainability will host a panel discussion with experts from the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities; Transportation Services; the academic community; and current students to explore Virginia Tech's progress toward reaching its Climate Action Commitment goals. This event will begin with an overview of the Climate Action Commitment, followed by a series of short presentations by participating members, and a question and answer section. Register online.

Zero Waste Picnic

April 20 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Ag Quad

The Office of Sustainability's food and waste intern teams will be hosting a picnic with Jeopardy! at the Ag Quad from 5:30 - 7 p.m. 

Pop Up Bike Repair Station

April 21 from 12 - 2 p.m.

West End Market

The Hokie Bike Hub will host a pop up service station to assist with repairs and answer alternative transportation questions outside West End Market from noon to 2 p.m.

Moss Arts Center LEED-Focused Tour

April 21 from 1 - 2 p.m.

Moss Arts Center

Members of the Office of Sustainability's energy intern team will be offering tours of the Moss Arts Center from 1 - 2 p.m., identifying sustainable aspects of the facility. The tour will explore ideas for improving the building's LEED rating and how to obtain LEED certifications for other campus facilities. Register in advance.

Arbor Day Celebration

April 23 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Duck Pond

Join the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities and the College of Natural Resources and Environment at a ceremonal tree planting at the Duck Pond followed by tours of campus trees from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Activities include sharing the story of a black willow once located at the pond, demonstrations of proper planting and safety techniques, and three separate tours of Virginia Tech's trees. 

"Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story" Screening

May 3 from 7 - 9 p.m.

The Lyric

Doors open at 6:30. Join Sustainable Blacksburg and Friends of the Farmers Market for a FREE movie screening about food waste followed by a panel discussion. 

Green Grads Cord pick up

May 6 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Squires Info Booth

Swing by our Green Grads table to sign a pledge to live sustainably after graduation. People who pledge can pick up their free green cord to wear at graduation at this table.

Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn

May 25 from 12 - 1 p.m.

Zoom or the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library

Register here: https://sustainableblacksburgva.org/

Summer Soltice Fest

June 18 from 1 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Downtown Blacksburg

More information available here: https://downtownblacksburg.com/summer-solstice-blacksburg.aspx

National Pollinator Week

June 20-26 

Keep an eye on the Bee Campus VT social media accounts (@beecampusvt) for more information about upcoming events.

Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn

June 22 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library or Zoom 

Register here: https://sustainableblacksburgva.org/

Lights Out!/Power Down!

June 23 from 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Virginia Tech campus 

Members of Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus community will be asked to turn off and unplug all noncritical lighting and electrical loads in residence halls, classrooms, offices, and laboratories during the university’s annual Lights Out!/Power Down! event. 

During the event, Rec Sports will be convening a 3-mile walk that will begin and end at McComas Hall. Hokie Wellness will host a free outdoor yoga class located at the Prairie Quad (near Hoge, O'Shaughnessy, and Pritchard Halls). Both activities will begin at 2 p.m. More information can be found here: https://vtx.vt.edu/notices/adm-evergreens/ops-lightsoutpowerdown.html 

Annual New River Valley Garden Tour

July 9 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Showcases innovative, specialty and simply beautiful private gardens in the New River Valley. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library with the cooperation of the New River Valley Master Gardeners’ Association. Find more information, including descriptions and locations of the gardens and online link for ticket purchase at: http://www.mfrlfriends.org/wp/garden-tour/. 

Enjoy Your National Forest

July 22 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Floyd-Montgomery Regional Library

Ranger Christensen gives a brief overview of the Eastern Divide Ranger District/George Washington-Jefferson National Forest and the Forest Service.

Monthly Sustainable Sunday Garden Tour

July 24 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

Blacksburg

This month’s tours of Arlean Lambert’s residential garden and the Hale Community Garden highlight edible landscaping and fruit and vegetable gardening. The Hale Community Garden is also home to the Roper Solar Greenhouse, beehives, food forest and pollinator garden.

Sustainable Blacksburg Lunch and Learn: Low Waste with Kids

July 27 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Floyd-Montgomery Regional Library or Zoom

Bring the family and learn about a variety of ways to reduce waste in your home and life. We will have a lively discussion about the things we already do, as well as a hands on activity for the kids. Come in person or register to participate virtually via Zoom at  rb.gy/apla39  

Steppin' Out

August 5 & 6 

Downtown Blacksburg

The Office of Sustainability will be tabling in partnership with Sustainable Blacksburg on August 5 at Steppin' Out. Steppin' Out features over 200 artists and craftspeople selling unique handcrafted items – jewelry, pottery, textiles, metal work, basketry, stained & fused glass, yard art, fine art, furniture, toys, artisan foods and so much more! 

Sustainable Transportation Fair 

August 25 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Squires Plaza

The Alternative Transportation team will be hosting a sustainable transportation fair in Squires Plaza to talk to students about the benefits of alternative transportation and the options available to them at Virginia Tech. 

ReNew the New 

August 27 

The New River

Register for ReNew the New, the region's annual river cleanup. Get outside, join your neighbors and support a cleaner river! This year it will be held on August 27th at a New River Valley locality near you. To register visit: https://renewthenew.org/projects/.

Green Tailgate (VT vs Miami)

October 15 

Campus

Meet at the Lancaster House on Washington St. roughly four hours before kickoff. We'll be going around to the different tailgating lots and educating Hokie fans on what they can recycle and where. Volunteer opportunity ends 2 hours before kickoff so volunteers still have time to enjoy game day festivities. Register here: https://forms.gle/ZqbLwk7v95gneJDG7

Hale HarvestFest

October 16 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Hale Community Garden

Come on out to the Hale Community Garden for an afternoon of fall foods, crafts, live music, yard games, and more. We'll be celebrating the change of seasons and touring sustainable features of the garden. The Office of Sustainability will be conducting a food drive for The Market at Virginia Tech.

Sustainability Forum

October 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Pamplin 31

The Office of Sustainability will be hosting a sustainability forum, open to all members of the community. Come hear about the latest sustainability news and progress, share your ideas, and meet other students who are interested in sustainability. We'll also have a guest speaker. 

Green Tailgate

November 5 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

Meet at the Lancaster House on Washington St. We'll be going around to the different tailgating lots and educating Hokie fans on what they can recycle and where. Volunteer opportunity ends 2 hours before kickoff so volunteers still have time to enjoy game day festivities. Register here: https://forms.gle/ZqbLwk7v95gneJDG7

National Recycling Congress Conference Day 1

November 9 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Squires

Interested in learning more about waste management, circular economy, and reducing single use plastics? Join the Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Coalition for our free screening of the NRC Virtual Conference in Squires. More details to come. Reach out to vollmere@vt.edu to be kept in the loop.

National Recycling Congress Conference Day 2

November 10 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. 

Squires

Interested in learning more about waste management, circular economy, and reducing single use plastics? Join the Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Coalition for our free screening of the NRC Virtual Conference in Squires. More details to come. Reach out to vollmere@vt.edu to be kept in the loop.

Mountain Valley Pipeline Ecotheatre Workshop

November 9-11 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. 

The Cube, Moss Arts Center

The Frimpong Lab at Virginia Tech and Art for Environmental Justice are partnering to offer an ecotheatre devised theatre workshop centered around the impacts the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline has on local aquatic and human communities.

Green RFP Deadline

November 11 from 4:00 p.m. 

Be sure to submit your completed application to naking@vt.edu by 4:00 PM! Learn more here: https://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustainability-programs/green-rfp-program.html

Sustainability Forum

November 16 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

Wallace Hall, 340

• The Office of Sustainability will be hosting a sustainability forum, open to all members of the community. Come hear about the latest sustainability news and progress, share your ideas, and meet other students who are interested in sustainability. We'll also have a guest speaker.