Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to give back to our campus community ☀️🌎 The UMN Office of Sustainability and Campus Cleanup Crew are teaming up for a special event this Sunday at 4pm, and you won’t want to miss it!
We’ll be meeting at Knoll Park outside Peik Hall to clean up litter around campus and learn about stormwater. Ever wondered where all that rain goes—or what it carries with it? Carley Rice, Sustainability Coordinator, from our Office of Sustainability will be giving us the inside scoop on how stormwater impacts our campus and what we can do to help.
There will be potbelly sandwiches to fuel afterwards! 🥪
Bring a friend and come out to help keep our campus and waterways clean. See you Sunday!
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"Illicit discharges are considered 'illicit' because MS4s are not designed to accept, process, or discharge such non-stormwater wastes." (EPA) As water runs down the street into storm drains, contaminated with illicit discharge (such as cigarette butts, trash, salt, vehicle fluids, or yard waste) from the street, it flows back down through the stormwater system and back into the river. Learn how you can help or report illicit discharge on campus.
Collective action works—and this spring’s Campus Conservation Competition proved it. Over 140 students across 11 residence halls joined the effort to reduce energy use, and the results were clear: small actions added up to real, measurable change. Students led the charge, raising awareness and cutting consumption in just three weeks. The numbers speak for themselves! Read more
Facilities Management staff: Join us for an Electric Vehicle Test Drive event!
Test drive hybrid and fully electric vehicles that could fit your department's needs. Fleet Services and Office of Sustainability staff will be onsite to answer your questions.
Wednesday, May 7th, 11:00am - 1:30pm
Fleet Services (901 29th Ave SE, Minneapolis)
Refreshments provided!
Share this event: z.umn.edu/EVtestdrive
The UMN Office of Sustainability and Campus Cleanup Crew are joining for a Stormwater Cleanup event focused on protecting our environment and keeping campus beautiful. Taking place at Knoll Park outside Peik Hall, we invite students to learn about stormwater's impact while taking direct action through litter cleanup. It's the perfect way to give back and get involved! 🌎
Not sure where your waste goes on campus? You’re not alone. The University of Minnesota is working to divert 90% of waste from landfills through recycling and composting. Nearly 60% of trash could be sorted better—your choices matter. Want to help UMN go zero waste? Get involved and join the conversation today. Learn more and take the survey.
April is Earth Month! Check out our frequently updated list of events to get involved. Check it out.
Have an event to share? Email us.
In 2024, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities achieved 9,864,660 kilowatt hours in electricity savings, surpassing the highest level of conservation goal set by Xcel Energy. That’s enough electricity to power 1,100 average Minnesota homes for a year and avoid 7.6 million pounds of CO2 emissions. As a result of our efforts through energy projects on campus, the University received $724,815 in rebates, plus an additional $147,246 for reaching our goal. The rebate ultimately goes back into a cycle within the University, allowing us to continue investing in energy reduction and working to reduce our energy use. The pie chart below highlights where these savings came from, with Lighting (35%) and HVAC (24%) contributing the most. Thanks to Energy Management and all who support these efforts!
Do you have input regarding the University of Minnesota Twin Cities' Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program?