Coffee Chat, Earth Day cleanup among activities planned this April
To mark Earth Month this April, the University of Niagara Falls Canada is reinforcing its commitment to a greener future by hosting several events, from an engaging community discussion on sustainability to a downtown Earth Day cleanup.
UNF will kick off its celebrations with another instalment of its Coffee Chat series on April 15. With a focus of Earth Day Sustainability, the one-hour event starts at 11:30 a.m. will feature a discussion at the Niagara Falls Public Library’s Victoria branch.
Felicia Werner, Executive Director of Community Engagement at UNF will be joined by guests Ramsha Ahmed, an Environmental, Social, and Governance Manager at KPMG’s Global Infrastructure Advisory team, and David Gray, Provost and Vice-President, Academic at UNF.
The event is open to the community. While there is no charge, people are asked to register online in advance.
“Our goal is to show students that sustainability isn’t just a global issue. It’s something that individuals can act on right here at a local level,” said Werner. “These conversations help spark ideas and empower students to make impactful change.”
To mark Earth Day on April 22, the university will be hosting a community clean-up on Queen Street as art of the City of Niagara Falls’ annual cleanup event. Students, staff, and faculty are invited to roll up their sleeves and make a difference in the community by removing litter from along the street and nearby parks. Starting at 3 p.m., special Earth Day T-shirts and eco-friendly supplies will be provided to volunteers.
“These events are not just symbolic, they’re opportunities to connect and to give back to the community that has welcomed us so warmly,” said Werner. “Earth Month is about celebrating and protecting the planet, we wanted to start by doing our part right here in our community.”
The Student Success Office has also planned several activities for students throughout the month focused on building a greener UNF and celebrating Mother Earth.
From webinars on environmental wellness and tote bag painting to group hikes and a visit to the Niagara Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory, there’s something for everyone. Registration information can be found in the student event TeamUp calendar.
