Greenfest is a semi-annual series held on the campus of UNC Asheville in March/ April and September that celebrates sustainability, students and community. If you are interested in helping with the planning and development of Greenfest projects and events, please contact us! We are always excited to meet old and new friends happy to lend a hand.
All events are free unless otherwise noted. Greenfest is brought to you by the Office of Sustainability, the Student Environmental Center, and the many co-sponsors listed below.
Greenfest events will be following the most up to date COVID guidelines for UNC Asheville which can be found at coronavirus.unca.edu.
Spring Greenfest 2022
March 31th – April 12th, Theme: Fresh Future
All events are free and open to the public. Keep checking back as we add more events.
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Greenfest T-shirt Design Contest Submissions closed March 18. Thanks to everyone who entered a design.
Want to have your design on the next Greenfest t-shirt? This contest is open all students, faculty, staff, OLLI members and alumni. Check out this flyer for design guidelines and submission requirements. Submissions closed. Thanks to everyone who entered a design. The winning design will announced at the Sustainability Fair.
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Weeklong Events: March 31st – April 11th
Eco-Art Show, Highsmith Student Union Gallery
Open to all students, faculty, and staff. Submissions close March 20th. This will showcase artwork that incorporates environmental issues/climate change, and/or a relationship with the natural environment. Submissions closed. Thanks to everyone who submitted their work.
Ramsey Library Presents Biggest Little Farm, online streaming
Ramsey Library is offering streaming of the Biggest Little Farm: “The Biggest Little Farm chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature’s conflicts, the Chesters unlock and uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm, its seasons, and our wildest imagination”. Use this link to stream the video.
Ramsey Library Sustainable Living Book Display, Main Floor of Ramsey Library
Check out the book display in Ramsey Library to learn more about sustainable living
Thursday, March 31st
T.A.B.L.E Together All Build Love and Equity 10am-5pm, Main Quad
oin the STEAM Studio and Key Center for T.A.B.L.E. (Together All Build Love & Equity), creative community engagement on the quad with BeLoved on Thursday, March 31. Sign up for a shift here . Additional drop-in crafting opportunities include making doormats inspired by Kolams, printmaking and writing love notes for microvillage residents. Free & open to all.
Environmental Seminar Speaker Dr. Robin Sears noon-1pm, virtual
Dr. Robin Sears, Independent Environmental Consultant and CIFOR Associate — “Forest Livelihood versus Forest Conservation: One Anthropocene Conundrum”. Contact Alison Ormsby (aormsby@unca.edu) to rsvp and get the zoom link.
Friday, April 1st
Sustainability Fair! 1-3pm, Reed Plaza
Kickoff Greenfest at the Sustainability Fair! The fair will include an electric vehicle car show, electric bikes for demo, live music, bellydancers, educational tables, a clothing swap, and more. Come by anytime between 1-3pm.
Saturday, April 2nd
Guided Plant and Bird Walk 9am-10am, Botanical Gardens meet at Haynes Cabin
Explore the Asheville Botanical gardens with trained botanist and ornithologist. Bring bionoculars if you have them but some will be availble for folks to borrow. Fingers crossed that we will spot some activity at the Red Shouldered Hawk nest. Please register to attend by using this google form.
Off Campus Workday with Energy Savers Network noon-5pm, meet at Brown Hall
Join us for an off-campus workday with Energy Savers Network to weatherize low income housing in the local Asheville community. As we will be going out into the community and want to closely adhere to COVID precautions, we kindly ask that all who attend are fully vaccinated. Only 8 people can attend, so be sure to fill out the registration form.
Field Trip to the Arboretum 10am-noon, NC Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum invites you out to experience our 430 acre outdoor classroom, with a particular emphasis on herpetology and botany at Willow Pond and in the Arboretum Forest. We will provide optional transportation from campus to the Arboretum. If you’d like, there’s an option to bring lunch or purchase lunch at the Arboretum for a nice picnic after the program! Register here.
Sunday, April 3rd
Community Through Kudzu: An Educational Greenway Maintenance Initiative 1pm-4pm, Along Reed Creek Greenway, at the intersection of Cauble and Broadway Streets
Join Kudzu Culture, Montford Neighborhood Association, Urban Forest Alliance, and City of Asheville Parks and Recreation in this collaborative and educational maintenance initiative. Become and ecological steward in your community. Learn about kudzu crown removal and enjoy kudzu snacks. Please bring gloves, hand pruners, mattocks, or shovels if you have them.
Tuesday, April 5th
On Campus Workday, 10am-5pm (1-hr shifts), Check-in at Reed Plaza
University faculty, staff, and students along with our community neighbors will roll up their sleeves to work in the campus gardens! Duties will be assigned when you report for your shift. Please bring appropriate work clothes, closed-toe shoes, a refillable water bottle, and if you have them, work gloves. This is part of the effort to develop and beautify campus. Work will be ongoing from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please report for your shift at Reed Plaza (near the front of Brown Hall). First 50 volunteers to register receive an official Greenfest t-shirt! Register here.
Food Equity Initiative Weekly Free Food Distribution, noon-2pm, Main Quad
Weekly distributions of non-perishable food.
Writing for a Green Future, 6:30-7:30pm, Laural Forum in Karpen Hall
Wednesday, April 6th
Local Lunch, 11am-2pm, Brown Hall
Brown Hall will highlight locally sourced ingredients and local vendors during the regular lunch service.
Thursday, April 7th
Environmental Studies Speaker Series, noon-1pm, virtual
Stephen Awoyemi – “Investigating factors that shape the behaviors of traders and buyers of vulture parts in southwestern Nigeria”. Contact Alison Ormsby (aormsby@unca.edu) to rsvp and get the zoom link.
Friday, April 8th
Climate in the Workplace Career Panel, noon-1pm, virtual
Wondering about a career that tackles climate change? Join us for a panel discussion highlighting the variety of ways you can make an impact professionally. The events moderator, State Sentor Julie Mayfield will also provide insight on how new state policies are shaping a green economy and the job market. Zoom link.
Saturday, April 9th
Pink Beds Hike, 10am-5pm, Meet at the SRC transporation provided to Pisgah National Forest at Pink Beds
It’s the best time of year to catch the spring ephemeral wildflowers- we’ll spend a chill day hiking in a beautiful spot and enjoying the spring flora and fauna. Come enjoy this time of year with us on this hike! We provide all transportation, equipment, and instruction on this trip. Registration for this amazing trip is $15.
Sunday, April 10th
Ancient Gardens Workday, 1pm-5pm, Ancient Gardens (between Whitesides Hall and Ramsey Library)
Join the plant club for an afternoon of planting, weeding and more. Stop by anytime between 1pm-5pm. See you there!