SustainableUMD Opportunities, Events, & Updates 🐢

 

Sept. 2026 2026-2027 Office of Sustainability Interns Welcome Back, Terps  Whether you’ve recently joined us or have been here for years, thank you for subscribing to the monthly SustainableUMD Newsletter! SustainableUMD is our phrase for collective sustainability action on campus. While there is much progress to celebrate, there is always more to do, and we hope this newsletter helps you find your pathway to getting involved. Looking for more content between editions? Follow us on Instagram (@sustainableUMD and @greenterp) and on LinkedIn. New and Noteworthy Serve on the Sustainability Fund Review Committee —  The Sustainability Fund Review Committee (SFRC) is a team of undergraduate students who assess Sustainability Fund proposals. Consider applying to serve on the 2026-2027 SFRC to help steward student fees into high-impact projects. Applications are due by 11:59pm on September 15th. APPLY TO THE SFRC Earn Pins with the Green Terp Bucket List Challenge —  The Green Terp Bucket List (GTBL) connects students with the places, passions, and people shaping sustainability on campus. Complete challenges, earn pins, and celebrate your accomplishments at graduation with a green cord! Students can enroll through Canvas to start completing challenges. ENROLL IN THE CHALLENGE Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store —  Since opening in 2021, the Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store has diverted over 72,000 pounds of items from the landfill. The store collects and distributes small appliances, kitchen items, room accessories, clothing, and school supplies donated throughout the year. Any UMD student can make an appointment to shop for FREE items. LEARN MORE ABOUT TERP TO TERP UMD Farmers Markets Every Wednesday —  The UMD Farmers Markets are back! Every Wednesday from 11am-3pm, stop by Tawes Plaza to purchase fresh produce, student-made crafts, and other local products. Check out the Office of Sustainability table at various markets for educational games and DIY activities. READ MORE ABOUT MARKET VENDORS Applications Open for the Sustainability Fund & Sustainability Mini-Grant —  From rain gardens and research to internships and field trips, the Sustainability Fund helps bring student, staff, and faculty ideas to life. With over $800K available, consider submitting a proposal by Oct. 15th (priority) or Jan. 15th. Mini-Grants are also available for requests of $2,000 or less. LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS Undergraduate Research Assistant (Paid Position) —  As part of its Do Good project, the Lamp Lab is hiring an undergraduate student to help increase exposure to insect-based foods. The student will facilitate workshops, engage with the UMD community in dining halls, and provide information about the history, sustainability, and future of insect protein. Best consideration is Sept. 4th. VIEW THE POSITION DESCRIPTION Green Workspace Program —  The Office of Sustainability is seeking offices, departments, and other staff teams to participate in the fall 2026 Green Workspace cohort. Join the many workspaces across campus committed to mindful consumption, thoughtful purchasing, commuting smart, and conserving energy. REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE Upcoming Events Wednesdays, September 9th-November 18th, 1:30-3:00pm Weed it Wednesdays Join the Arboretum & Botanical Garden on select Wednesdays for fresh air, good vibes, and a little garden therapy. No experience needed—just show up ready to get your hands dirty (gloves provided!) and help cultivate our living campus. Find dates and register here. Monday, September 14th-Saturday, September 19th CEEJH Environmental Justice and Health Disparities Symposium The Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health (CEEJH) hosts an annual Symposium on Environmental Justice and Health Disparities, one of the largest environmental justice conferences in the country. This year’s symposium will focus on a 50-year plan to advance democracy and health equity. Register here. Tuesday, September 15th, 1:00-4:00pm DIY Papermaking Workshop The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center is hosting a drop-in paper making workshop with artist Marta Pérez García. The workshop kicks off her exhibition, Bearing Witness, which will be on display in the atrium of H.J. Patterson Hall from September 15-October 15. Friday, September 18th, 9:15am -2:00pm Sustainability in Business Conference Hosted by the Center for Social Value Creation at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, this year's conference, "Bold Partnerships, Lasting Impact”, will bring together students, professionals, corporate leaders, nonprofits, and sustainability experts to explore the future of sustainable business. Register here. Thursday, September 24th, 3:00-4:30pm Chesapeake Bay Green Entrepreneur Roundtable: Food Hear from several entrepreneurs addressing ecological and collective health in communities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed and connect with different stakeholders in the regional climate and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Register here. Shareable Bytes  Tip: With UMD’s recent partnership with Capital Bikeshare (CaBi), campus members can get unlimited access to CaBi bikes and e-bikes for just $25/year using the code umdbikes25.  Hidden Wildlife: The UMD Golf Course won first place for the Biodiversity Award at the 2026 BioBlitz competition. Check out photos of their wildest finds—from rare and colorful species to spooky critters. Resource Share: Not sure where to dispose of that apple core or those old batteries? Explore the campus waste disposal map to find bins near you. Francesca DiGiovanni (L) and Taylor Brinks (R) Meet the authors behind this newsletter: Taylor Brinks, Project Manager, and Francesca DiGiovanni, Content Writing Intern, with the Office of Sustainability. We’re excited to bring you the latest updates, events, and opportunities each month.

First Look Fair - September 10

 

The First Look Fair is one of the longest running involvement traditions at the University of Maryland. First Look Fair hosts over 650 student clubs and organizations and campus departments! The festive atmosphere is the perfect place to gather resources, learn more about how to get involved, and connect with other students with similar interests. 

First Look Fair will be hosted on Thursday, September 10 on McKeldin Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jobs for students looking to make a difference

CAMPAIGN JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

Do you want a job where you can take on some of the most important problems facing our country? You could help save old growth forests and endangered wildlife from extinction, stop the surge of plastic entering our environment, and ensure we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.

Fill out this interest form now to set up an interview and apply!

Fund for the Public Interest is seeking hard-working individuals with a passion for social change to fill citizen outreach and field manager positions across the country. With offices in selected cities, we are hiring full-time and part-time staff, with leadership opportunities available, to work on issues like stopping plastic pollution and stopping the use of bee-killing pesticides. Complete the form above to apply!