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Office for Sustainability Programs
The UTRGV Office for Sustainability Programs takes an innovative and collaborative approach to advancing sustainability through initiatives grounded in the three pillars: environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic resilience. Our programs cultivate competencies in students, faculty, staff, and regional partners by integrating sustainability into academic, research, and community-engaged projects. These efforts are designed to enhance quality of life while supporting the UTRGV mission and strengthening sustainability practices across the campus, the Rio Grande Valley, and beyond.
UTRGV Office for Sustainability Programs
The UTRGV Sustainability Ambassadors are comprised of students through internships who understand and advocate for sustainability at UTRGV, the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and the World. The Sustainability Ambassadors represent UTRGV through conducting research or developing projects surrounding sustainable development from supporting small businesses with building sustainable business models, to incorporating sustainable living practices with local school districts, and research into environmental, social, and economic spheres of the Rio Grande Valley.
The International Center for Sustainability Across the Curriculum (ICSAC) is an annual conference hosted by the university in conjunction with the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Faculty members interested in sustainability efforts are encouraged to come on board and participate in the conference as discussion forums will be held that incorporate sustainability concepts, problems, or solutions into new or existing courses. Participants essentially learn to brainstorm with other faculty members and discover new ways to teach sustainability and apply these approaches to the classroom and teach critical sustainable development goals.
Sustainability Adelante
The Sustainability Adelante UTRGV Office for Sustainability Speaker Series provides expert insight into the interconnected fields of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic resilience. Featuring leaders from a wide range of disciplines, the series invites participants to incorporate sustainability into their personal and professional growth, inspiring them to become champions of sustainability within their universities and communities. This platform fosters collaboration and innovation to support long-term well-being and the continued flourishing of human life.
The Sustainability Adelante UTRGV Office for Sustainability Podcast Series showcases the testimonials and accomplishments of our expert sustainability partners throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The Podcasts will cover a wide range of Sustainable Development topics that support the social, environmental, and economic areas that are needed to sustain life and promote equity in our world. The series will cover spotlight topics each month that is historically significant to sustainability in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and the World beyond.
Bee Campus USA
The efforts UTRGV has made towards pollinator conservation through the Bee Campus USA Initiative mirrors action-oriented commitment to sustainability, education, and community expansion. The Department of Biology and the School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences advance transformative efforts, including the creation of pollinator gardens and elimination of harmful pesticides. In 2018, Dr. Lucia Carreno Martinez, a biology lecturer, led the establishment of the Pollinator Cantina at the Brownsville campus, eventually collaborating with faculty. Since then, the project has expanded, adding 16 NEW plant beds with reclaimed bricks, soil, and compost, and incorporating native perennials supported by drip irrigation systems. In this project, the help of students was actively distributed in multiple stages to learn the importance of organic soil amendments and the transplantation of native pollinator species.
Despite habitat creation, UTRGV embodies public education by labeling plants and posting signage across campuses to explain pollinators’ essential roles in pest management and food production. Beyond campus, outreach efforts such as forestry activities and events (e.g. HESTEC, FESTIBA, and Rio Reforestation) provide hands-on opportunities for students and the community to participate in pollinator-friendly practices. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, UTRGV hosted one of its final physical pollinator workshops, welcoming 120 participants, as young as elementary volunteers, who learned about pollinator habitats and conservation. The help from Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability and Texas Earth Day strengthened the highlighting in the environmental and economic importance of pollinators.
Tree Campus Higher Education
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA program acknowledges UTRGV for maintaining their designation for years. As a recognized member, the commitment to healthy trees and student engagement magnetizes the guidance in tree planning, preservation, and education from the Campus Tree Advisory Committee (CTAC). On a quarterly basis, the CTAC sets goals for increasing tree numbers, preserving heritage trees, and educating the value of urban forestry. The framework in long-term preservation strategies and connecting with community partnerships guarantees UTRGV’s involvement in urban forestry to remain a vital, sustainable resource for both campus and beyond.