UMW Sustainability

08/27/2026

🌳 FROM CAMPUS TREES TO CAMPUS TABLES 🪵
Ever wonder what happens when a campus tree needs to be removed? Come see the last of the trees from the UMW Theater construction project milled to be repurposed into something new!
Join UMW Facilities Operations and Virginia Department of Forestry for a live wood milling demonstration and discover how salvaged campus trees can become beautiful, useful lumber—and ultimately, campus furniture!

Come watch the mill in action, learn about urban forestry and sustainable stewardship and see how a UMW tree can take its first step in become a campus table. All are welcome!
treecampushighereducation

08/17/2026

🍎🥕 Sustainability Tip: Store Your Produce Right & Waste Less Food! 🌱

Did you know that where you store your fruits and vegetables can make a big difference in how long they stay fresh? Proper food storage is a simple sustainability practice that can help reduce food waste, save money, and make the most of the food we buy.

🧊 KEEP IT COOL - Refrigerator
🍎 Apples & pears
🍓 Berries
🍇 Grapes
🥬 Lettuce, spinach & kale
🥕 Carrots
🥦 Broccoli & cauliflower

🌡️ KEEP IT OUT - Room Temperature
🍌 Bananas
🥑 Avocados until ripe
🥭 Mangoes until ripe
🍅 Tomatoes for the best flavor
🍍 Pineapples until ripe

🌑 KEEP IT DARK, COOL & VENTILATED
🥔 Potatoes
🧅 Onions
🧄 Garlic

💡 A few food-saving tips:

Keep potatoes away from light to prevent greening and sprouting.
Don't wash berries until you're ready to eat them extra moisture encourages spoilage.
Refrigerate cut fruits and vegetables.
Check your produce regularly and use items that are ripening quickly first.
Have too much? Freeze it, blend it into a smoothie, or find another recipe before it goes to waste!

Why does this matter?

Food that spoils isn't just wasted food, it also represents wasted water, energy, land, transportation, labor, and money And when food is thrown away, it adds to our waste stream.

🌎 This week's sustainability challenge:
Take a look at your kitchen. Are your fruits and vegetables stored where they'll stay fresh the longest?

Small changes in the kitchen can add up to less food waste and a more sustainable campus community. 💚

08/12/2026

🌱 COMPOSTING 101: SMALL HABITS, BIG IMPACT! ♻️

Did you know that many of the things we throw away every day can be turned into something valuable? Composting transforms food scraps and other organic materials into nutrient-rich material that can support healthier soils and plants. 🌎🌿

Whether you're new to composting or already doing it, here are some tips to help you compost successfully:

🥬 1. Know Your “Greens”

Greens provide nitrogen and help your compost break down. Good options include:
🍎 Fruit and vegetable scraps
☕ Coffee grounds
🍵 Tea leaves
🥬 Fresh plant trimmings
🌱 Fresh grass clippings

🍂 2. Don't Forget the “Browns”

Browns provide carbon and help absorb excess moisture. Try:
🍁 Dry leaves
📦 Shredded, uncoated cardboard
📰 Shredded paper
🌾 Straw
🪵 Small untreated wood pieces or twigs

Helpful tip: Aim for roughly 2 parts browns to 1 part greens by volume.If you're adding food scraps, cover them with a layer of browns.

🚫 3. Know What to Keep Out

For a typical backyard compost pile, avoid adding:
❌ Meat and bones
❌ Dairy products
❌ Greasy or oily foods
❌ Pet waste
❌ Diseased plants
❌ Weeds that have gone to seed
❌ Plastic, glass or metal
❌ Synthetic or chemically treated materials

These materials can create odors, attract pests, introduce unwanted contaminants or make composting more difficult.

💧 4. Get the Moisture Right

Your compost should feel **damp like a wrung-out sponge**—not bone dry and not soaking wet.

💦 Too dry? Add a little water or more moist green material.
🌧️ Too wet? Add dry leaves, shredded cardboard or other browns and mix everything together.

🔄 5. Give Your Compost Some Air

The microorganisms doing the hard work need oxygen!

Turn or mix your compost periodically to improve airflow, distribute moisture and help materials break down. Good airflow can also help prevent unpleasant odors.

✂️ 6. Smaller Pieces Break Down Faster

Chop larger food scraps, tear cardboard and break up bulky plant material before adding them. Smaller pieces provide more surface area for microorganisms to work on and can speed up decomposition.

👃 7. A Bad Smell Is Telling You Something

Healthy compost should eventually have an earthy smell.

If your pile becomes unpleasant or slimy, it may be too wet, too compacted or have too many greens.

Try adding dry browns and turning the pile to introduce more oxygen.

🐭 8. Don't Invite Unwanted Visitors

To discourage pests, avoid meat, dairy and oily foods in a traditional compost pile. Bury fresh food scraps toward the center and cover them with brown material instead of leaving them exposed on top.

⏳ 9. Give Nature Time

Composting doesn't happen overnight!

Depending on the materials, weather and how often the pile is managed, creating finished compost can take several months. Keep balancing your greens and browns, monitoring moisture and providing airflow.

10. Know When Your Compost Is Ready

Finished compost should be:

🤎 Dark and crumbly
🌱 Soil-like in appearance
👃 Earthy smelling
🍂 Mostly free of recognizable food scraps

Use finished compost around plants, in garden beds or mixed with soil to help improve soil structure and support plant growth.

🌎 WHY COMPOST?

Every banana peel, apple core and handful of vegetable scraps we compost is one less piece of organic material going into the trash.

Composting helps us:

♻️ Reduce the amount of waste we throw away
🌎 Keep organic materials out of landfills
🌱 Return nutrients and organic matter to the soil
💧 Improve soil's ability to retain moisture
🌻 Support healthier gardens and landscapes
💚 Build everyday habits that contribute to a more sustainable community

Remember: You don't have to be a composting expert to get started. Begin with the basics, learn as you go and let nature do the rest.

🌱 Food scraps aren't always waste—they can become a resource.

07/28/2026

What if the most important sustainability project... is you?

When we hear the word sustainability, most of us think about recycling, reducing waste, conserving energy, planting trees, or protecting natural resources. These actions are essential, and they help create a healthier planet for future generations.

But here's a question we don't ask often enough:

How sustainable is your own life?

Can we truly build a sustainable future if we neglect our own health, energy, and well-being?

At UMW Sustainability, we believe sustainability is more than caring for the environment it's about creating systems that allow people, communities, and nature to thrive together. That includes personal sustainability the daily habits that help you stay healthy, resilient, and able to contribute your best to your community.

Research continues to show that many of the choices we make during adulthood have a lasting impact on our health later in life. Small, consistent habits today can reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve mental well-being, and help us remain active and independent for years to come.

Here are a few simple ways to invest in your own sustainability:

🌱 Move every day. Walk across campus, take the stairs instead of the elevator, ride your bike, or spend time outdoors. Every step supports your heart, mind, and overall health.

💪 Build strength. Resistance training isn't just for athletes. Maintaining muscle supports healthy aging, improves balance, boosts metabolism, and makes everyday activities easier.

🥗 Nourish your body. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins. Add fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, or sauerkraut to support a healthy gut microbiome, which plays an important role in immunity and overall wellness.

😴 Prioritize quality sleep. Going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time each day helps your body recover, improves concentration, and supports long-term health.

🤝 Strengthen your connections. Sustainability is also about community. Spend time with friends, join a student organization, volunteer, or simply share a meal with someone. Strong social connections are one of the greatest predictors of long-term well-being.

🧠 Know your health history. Understanding your family's health background and keeping up with preventive care can help you make informed decisions for your future.

🌍 See the connection. Many habits that improve personal health also benefit the environment. Walking instead of driving reduces emissions. Eating more plant-forward meals can lower environmental impacts. Spending time in nature strengthens our appreciation for the places we're working to protect.

Sustainability isn't only about preserving resources for future generations it's also about ensuring that we have the health, resilience, and energy to care for those resources today.

This week, challenge yourself to adopt one new habit that supports your personal well-being. Whether it's taking a 20-minute walk, preparing a healthy meal, getting to bed a little earlier, or reaching out to a friend, every small action matters.

Because sustainability begins with the choices we make every day for ourselves, for each other, and for our planet.

What is one habit you'll commit to this week?

⬇️ Share it in the comments and inspire someone else to start their personal sustainability journey.

07/17/2026

It's a good day to watch a meaningful film!

From our friends at the Society of American Foresters...🌳

New Film Release! 📽️
Forests of the First Stewards: Menominee Nation
The Society of American Foresters and our program are excited to share the release of our latest film, Forests of the First Stewards: Menominee Nation.
Brought to you in partnership with Menominee Tribal Enterprises and Discover Mediaworks, this educational film series and companion curriculum for K–12 and higher education take viewers on a journey from ancient traditions to modern-day stewardship.

Watch now to see how the Menominee story is shaping education, communities, and the future of forestry.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the film to raise awareness of the role forests play in our everyday lives.

Discover the inspiring story of the Menominee Nation and their appr...

07/02/2026

🌡️ Extreme Heat Is More Than Just Uncomfortable It's a Growing Public Health Challenge

As temperatures continue to rise across the globe, extreme heat is becoming one of the most significant climate-related risks affecting our communities. It's changing how we work, travel, learn, and live.

Communities around the world are already adapting:
🌳 Planting more trees to increase shade
🏢 Installing cool roofs and reflective surfaces
💧 Expanding access to public drinking water stations and cooling centers
🏘️ Designing cities with more green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect
🚶 Adjusting work and commuting schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

While these strategies help us adapt, reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential to limiting future warming. At the same time, investing in resilient communities today protects public health, improves quality of life, and strengthens our ability to withstand a changing climate.
How can you stay safe during extreme heat?
✅ Stay hydrated.
✅ Limit outdoor activities during peak afternoon temperatures.
✅ Wear light-colored, breathable clothing.
✅ Check on older adults, young children, neighbors, and others who may be more vulnerable.
✅ Seek shade or air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.

Every action—whether planting a tree, conserving energy, or checking on a neighbor—helps build a more climate-resilient community.

💬 What are some ways you stay cool during periods of extreme heat? Share your tips in the comments!

07/01/2026

🌎♻️ It’s ! ♻️🌎
Every small change makes a difference. 💚 From carrying a reusable water bottle to skipping single-use bags, there are so many simple ways to reduce plastic waste.
How do you reduce your plastic use? Share your favorite tips in the comments and inspire others to take action! 🌱💬
SmallChangesBigImpact

06/25/2026

We’re not ones to treat our soil like dirt, but sometimes the best way forward is to start over. 🌱
Today we began soil solarization in the UMW Pollinator Gardens by covering many of our newly-tilled beds with black plastic secured with landscape staples. After a long battle with aggressive Bermuda grass and nutsedge, we’ve made the difficult decision to reset nearly 80% of our planting beds.
Instead of reaching for herbicides, we’re letting the sun do the work. Soil solarization uses heat trapped beneath the plastic to weaken w**d seeds, roots and underground rhizomes, giving us a cleaner slate while avoiding pesticides in a space designed to support bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
It may not look like much right now, but this is an important part of “lessons learned.” We will dig deeper bed edges and seed a cover crop of Sorghum sudangrass this summer to choke out any remaining w**d seed. This fall, we will till in the summer cover crop, blend in some UMW compost (to try to create a real soil substrate out of a prior construction laydown area), and plant perennial plants that were successful before (and also helped keep w**ds at bay)—Mountain mint, and blue false indigo to name two!

Sometimes good stewardship means taking the slower, more sustainable path…and we can’t wait to spend time with the students, replanting these beds instead of pulling w**ds! And… watch the pollinator garden thrive again. 🐝🦋🐌🐞🐛🦎

06/25/2026

We’re not ones to treat our soil like dirt, but sometimes the best way forward is to start over. 🌱
Today we began soil solarization in the UMW Pollinator Gardens by covering many of our newly-tilled beds with black plastic secured with landscape staples. After a long battle with aggressive Bermuda grass and nutsedge, we’ve made the difficult decision to reset nearly 80% of our planting beds.
Instead of reaching for herbicides, we’re letting the sun do the work. Soil solarization uses heat trapped beneath the plastic to weaken w**d seeds, roots and underground rhizomes, giving us a cleaner slate while avoiding pesticides in a space designed to support bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
It may not look like much right now, but this is an important part of “lessons learned.” We will dig deeper bed edges and seed a cover crop of Sorghum sudangrass this summer to choke out any remaining w**d seed. This fall, we will till in the summer cover crop, blend in some UMW compost (to try to create a real soil substrate out of a prior construction laydown area), and plant perennial plants that were successful before (and also helped keep w**ds at bay)—Mountain mint, and blue false indigo to name two!

Sometimes good stewardship means taking the slower, more sustainable path…and we can’t wait to spend time with the students, replanting these beds instead of pulling w**ds! And… watch the pollinator garden thrive again. 🐝🦋🐌🐞🐛🦎

06/17/2026

The Permaculture Design Certificate program is an ethically-based, hands-on training that empowers participants to create sustainable human communities. Offered in partnership with the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute, this program explores permaculture principles rooted in agriculture while integrating elements of regional planning, ecology, architecture, and international development.

Through 72 hours of workshops held over four weekends, participants will engage in field trips, collaborative design projects, and practical activities that focus on ethics, design and sustainability. Modules cover key topics such as regenerative agriculture and gardening, plant selection and care, water conservation, soil management and applied permaculture. Event Details

Location: University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA
Dates: 4 multi-day sessions on September 18-20, October 3-4, October 24-25, and November 7-8
Time: 9am – 6pm
Cost: $1375 per person. Discount codes for early registration with $200 off before July 1 and 10% off for veterans. Registration closes 1 week before the event.
Group rates: Available for couples.

Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.