The student-run groups below, are just a few that focus on environmental and sustainability issues. Join an organization to make a positive change on campus and in the community. Looking for more info? Contact the SEC for opportunities on campus.
Active Students for a Healthy Environment
Active Students for a Healthy Environment (A.S.H.E.) is UNC Asheville’s oldest student environmental organization. Formerly known as the “ecology club”, we focus on raising environmental awareness, leadership development, and initiating proactive, progressive action to make positive sustainable changes in our environment. We are involved with and often help organize a wide range of campus and community events having to do with conservation, political action, and celebration of our environment and our role as stewards. We help students to think globally while acting locally. Ashe can be reached by e-mail.
Botanical Society
The purpose of the University of North Carolina Asheville Botanical Society is to improve and maintain the cleanliness of the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, specifically as it pertains to the streams, and to undertake campus beautification and improvement projects when practical. Established in 2010 by Nick Lucas and Amelia Miller-MacDonald, the group was originally created to assist in the upkeep of the Botanical Gardens of Asheville. Weekly meetings were spent clearing the garden waterways of man-made debris. The Botanical Society has completed a number of other projects as well, including: clearing and planting the Pisgah House Garden; installing plants in front of Ramsey Library and Brown Hall; and replanting the New Hall Roof Garden. Recently, the student organization has been working on building a stone retaining wall outside of New Hall and creating a grape trellis, where grapes will be available for students to harvest and eat. The Botanical Society hopes to continue the tradition of service, sustainability, and hard work that has been cultivated up to this point for years to come. Contact lsherpam@unca.edu for more information.
Eco-Reps
Eco-Reps is a peer-to-peer sustainability education program. This program, that was piloted in Mills Hall in Spring 2009, designated students as Eco-Reps, responsible for their hall’s sustainable engagement and awareness. Eco-Reps are the go-to resource for resident students with questions concerning the environment. They plan events centered around sustainability, promote environmental services and events on campus, and are the voice of environmentally concerned students to the administration. They work to promote energy conservation and participation in recycling programs.
If you are interested in becoming an Eco-Rep, contact the Student Environmental Center for information on upcoming positions.
Castanea ‘Edible’ Forest Garden
The Castanea ‘Edible’ Forest Garden is a group of UNC Asheville students, faculty, and Asheville community members who joined together in 2012 to create the first edible forest garden on a UNC system campus. Funded by the Student Environmental Center’s Green Grants program, the EFGC designs and plants gardens around campus, learn what native plants are best for the campus gardens, and learn how to cook and eat the plants grown. The EFGC Community Garden is located behind the Sam Millar Facilities Complex, on the side of the building that faces the Sherrill Center Parking Deck.