Greenfest is a semi-annual series held on the campus of UNC Asheville in March 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 and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Greenfest is brought to you by the Office of Sustainability, the Student Environmental Center, and the many co-sponsors listed below.
Spring Greenfest 2021 Events
All in-person events are subject to university and state protocols. Mask wearing and social distancing are required. Outdoor events have a maximum occupancy of 50.
Check back as we update this list over the next week.
Weeklong Events:
Greenfest Virtual Scavenger Hunt:
Virtual scavenger hunt hosted through the Goosechase app! Will have “mission” questions about all Greenfest events and programs, as well as some SEC trivia and fun facts. Stay tuned for more details on how to participate. Contact Rowan with any questions: rstuart1@unca.edu.
Art Inspired by the French Broad River Contest and Online Gallery, virtual
In collaboration with the City of Asheville, Active Students for a Healthy Environment (ASHE) and the Office of Sustainability are celebrating art inspired by the French Broad River to mark the opening of the greenway along the river. Submit any kind of art (visual, performance, creative writing) influenced by the French Broad River. Submissions due by April 10th at 5pm. $100 cash prize for the winner!
Ramsey Seed Library Seed Giveaway: Ramsey Library lobby
Ramsey Library will be giving away milkweed and pollinator seeds, while supplies last, the week of Greenfest.
Saturday March 27th:
Beloved Micro-Village Volunteer Workday: Off Campus
Stay tuned for more details.
Sunday March 28th:
Environmental Justice Think Tank
Come join us for a campus-wide conversation on environmental justice. We will discuss what environmental justice means, who is facing the consequences of injustice, and what we as UNCA students can do about it in our various spheres of influence. All UNCA Student Organizations and clubs are welcome and encouraged to participate. UNCA Divest will facilitate a Living Room Conversation over Zoom in order to hear the stories, ideas, and concerns of students. Everyone has a role to play in fighting for sustainability and justice, and this event is a great starting point for those that want to do more! Registration link coming soon.
Monday March 29th:
Building a Climate Movement: Virtual, 7:30-8:30pm
Join us for a virtual training on the basics of environmental organizing. Learn how to share your story, discover your personal stake in the movement, have effective conversations with others, take action, and campaign for a Green New Deal! Sign up here to receive the Zoom link: http://bit.ly/sunriseuncatraining.
Tuesday March 30th:
Carbon Commitment and Woods LEED Certification Celebration: Reed Plaza, noon-2pm
Join us in person at Reed Plaza or via the virtual live stream to witness Chancellor Cable sign the Carbon Commitment, setting UNC Asheville on a path to achieve carbon neutrality. We will also be celebrating the LEED gold certification at the Woods. Stick around for the Sustainability Fair with live music, light refreshments, walking tours of the Woods, and tables highlighting sustainability initiatives across campus.
FEI Food Distribution: Quad, noon-1:30pm
Free food distribution
Wednesday March 31st:
On Campus Work Day: Check-in at Reed Plaza, 10am-4pm (1-hour shifts)
Our campus community will roll up our sleeves for a variety of campus beautification projects including: planting, weeding, mulching and more! Please report for your shift at Reed Plaza. 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 beautify campus as an urban forest. Work will be ongoing from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in 1-hour shifts. Check back for the registration form.
Spring Feast: Brown Hall, 11am-2pm
Spring Feast in Brown Hall! Join us for a celebration of spring veggies and locally-produced products. Get to know local brands like Hickory Nut Gap, Apple Brandy Beef, Smiling Hara Tempeh, No Evil Foods Plant Meat and more, and learn why supporting local is so important.
Thursday April 1st:
Sustainable Retirement Brown Bag Talk: Virtual, noon-1:00
Learn more about ways to invest with your personal values. Hear about what other higher education institutions are doing provide more options and transparency on personal retirement options for their faculty and staff. Zoom link coming soon.
Castanea Garden Workday: Castanea Garden at Sam Millar, 10am-noon
Come garden! This is a reoccurring workday so come Thursday this semester. No experience needed. Tools provided but bring your own gloves if you have them.
Sol Garden Workday: Sol Garden, 3pm-5pm
Come garden! This is a reoccurring workday so come and Thursday this semester. No experience needed. Tools provided but bring your own gloves if you have them.
Podcasting for Environmental Advocacy and Inclusion: virtual, noon- 1:00pm
Guest speaker Sapna Mulki, host of podcast Breaking Green Ceilings. Register here to get the presentation link.
Friday April 2nd:
ROOTS Garden Workday: ROOTS garden (at the Rhoades Property), 2:30-4:30pm
Come garden! This is a reoccurring workday so come any Friday this semester. No experience needed. Tools provided but bring your own gloves if you have them.