Sustainability Month 2021
This October, celebrate Sustainability Month by joining in on events, programs and more. See below for a calendar of events. Showcase your commitment to living and working sustainably by taking the MSU Sustainability Pledge, or take your commitments to the next level by certifying your living space or office in sustainable practices.
Become a Spartan in Action for MSU Sustainability. Take the MSU Sustainability Pledge.
Certify your living space for your sustainable practices. Take the Spartan Green Living Certification.
Certify your office space for your sustainable practices. Take the Green Office Certification.
Calender of Events
Featured Event: MSU Bikes Celebration
October 26, 12 - 1 pm @ Minskoff Pavilion Plaza
Join in celebrating MSU's recent Gold Bicycle Friendly University recognition and major bicycle infrastructure enhancements on campus. A brief program will be held outdoors at the Minskoff Pavilion Plaza and followed by a slow roll bike ride along the MSU River Trail. Loaner bikes and helmets are available by request.
MSU Rec Sports Race to Renovate: Run, Walk, and Roll
October 3 | 1 pm
The 5K Race to Renovate will raise money to put in an accessible walkway and launch system at the MSU Sailing Center on Lake Lansing. Handcycles, wheelchairs and strollers are welcomed in our all inclusive race. The event will also feature a wellness fair. 1st and 2nd place prizes at this timed fun run which includes sections for hand cycles and wheel chair competitors.
Michigan 4-H Alumni and Supporters Fall Walking Challenge
October 3 - October 31 (virutal)
Hosted by MSU Extension, participants will create teams of five or less and track their total miles walked to compete for a top spot in the walking challenge! Each week, the top team will win a 4-H alumni swag prize and the team who logs the most miles throughout the whole challenge will earn a grand prize. There will also be a weekly individual prize drawing.
October 5, 12, 19 | 11:15 - 12:00 pm (virutal)
If you can sit in a chair - you can do yoga! Chair yoga adapts some of the traditional poses of yoga to be done while seated or while standing and using the chair for support. Stretching, reaching, bending, breathing, and no mat needed! Perfect for busy days when there's no time to change into exercise wear.
Energy Efficiency Day
October 6 (virutal)
Each year, Energy Efficiency Day showcases the benefits of reducing energy use through energy efficiency. Simple actions like replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lighting, using smart power strips, or washing your laundry in cold water all great ways to be more energy efficient. Commit to more energy efficient practices by taking the MSU Sustainability Pledge.
Spartan Thrift Club Clothing Swap
October 7 | 7 - 9 pm @ Erickson Hall, Rm 226
Bring clothing items you'd like to swap and walk away with something new for your closet.
CANR College Night: Built Enviroment - Construction & Design
October 7 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm (virutal)
The event will highlight how Spartans studying in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are having an impact on the world around them, with a focus on the built environment - construction and design. It will also look at different academic programs, experiences and career opportunities available to students.
Spartan Upcycle Fridays: Macrame Plant Hangers
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | 12 - 6 pm @ Broad Art Lab
Every Friday in October, drop in to the MSU Broad Art Lab to learn introductory macrame skills to make your own plant hanger crafted from surplus electronics cords and upcycled glass containers from Spartan Upcycle. Materials and instruction are $5 for the general public and free for students of any age. Pre-registration for this event is encouraged.
October 10 | 1 pm @ the Rock
October 11 | 10 - 11:30 am (virutal)
There is a movement at land grant and other universities to offer land acknowledgements. This presentation will use the context of MSU’s land grant identity to delve into the policy, history and meaning behind land acknowledgements and tangible ways to put these statements into action. This event is part of the MSU Alumni Office's Coffee with the Profs series.
Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration
October 11 | 5 pm at Beaumont Tower
The North American Indigenous Student Organization is proud to present the 2021 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration at Michigan State University. The event will start at Beaumont Tower followed by a march to the Rock at 5:30 pm, and arriving around 6:00 pm for a prayer and speakers.
October 13 - 15 (virutal)
This interactive agenda will bring together food systems advocates and practitioners to preview and gather feedback on components of the updated Michigan Good Food Charter, including ideas for action and draft frameworks for collaboration at a statewide level. At this event, you will be able to network and connect with others and help plan next steps toward Michigan's good food future!
Secrets of Biodiversity Course: Fish
October 13, 4:30 - 5:30 pm (virutal)
What makes something a frog, and why does it look and live differently than a bird? Even though they may look completely different, all life is related to each other in some way, but living things vary in myriad ways. Discover this variety of life in our natural world with W.K. Kellogg Biological Station scientists through this online course. The Oct. 13 class will focus on fish. Register to attend one or more sessions.
CANR College Night: Human Health - Food & Nutrition
October 14 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm (virutal)
The event will highlight how Spartans studying in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are having an impact on the world around them, with a focus on human health, food and nutrition. It will also look at different academic programs, experiences and career opportunities available to students.
Spartan Upcycle x MSU Broad Art Lab Residency; Megan Heeres Opening
October 15 | 6 - 8 pm @ Broad Art Lab
Celebrate the inaugural Spartan Upcycle x Art Lab Residency, resulting in a solo exhibition by Detroit artist Megan Heeres. Heere’s installation will be primarily composed of raw materials received by the campus recycling center, landscaping, and other items that would otherwise end up in landfills. The event is free but registration is required.
MSU Environmental, Natural Resources, and Sustainability Career Fair
October 19 | 3 - 6 pm (virutal)
MSU AgBioResearch and Extension Field Day
October 19 | 12 - 3:30 pm @ West Central Research Center in Hart, MI
The field day will allow the West Central Michigan Research Station to showcase its new facilities, ongoing research projects related to tree fruit, and future planting and research plans. The field day will provide the first opportunity for guests to learn more about the research being done at the center as well as the many benefits the center will provide for the residents of the region.
KBS Dessert with Discussion: Creating a Sustainable Future Locally and Globally
October 19 | 7 - 8:30 pm @ the Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI
The fall 2021 speaker is Dr. Fredric Janzen, who began his tenure as director of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in June 2020. Dr. Janzen will discuss the past, present and future of KBS, and highlight some of the research being done at the Station with a focus on conservation and climate change.
Innovate State: Turning Passion Into Profit ft. Jamie Schmidt
October 20 | 6 pm @ Entrepreneurship Lab or virtual
The Innovate State Speaker Series brings both emerging and accomplished Spartans back to campus for a fireside chat-style interview, offering guests to share stories of success, failure, and uncommon will. Jaime Schmidt is an entrepreneur and the founder of Schmidt’s Naturals, a brand of natural personal care products that she started in her kitchen in Portland, Oregon in 2010.
Secrets of Biodiversity Course: Amphibians/Reptiles
October 20, 4:30 - 5:30 pm (virutal)
What makes something a frog, and why does it look and live differently than a bird? Even though they may look completely different, all life is related to each other in some way, but living things vary in myriad ways. Discover this variety of life in our natural world with W.K. Kellogg Biological Station scientists through this online course. The Oct. 20 class will focus on amphibians and reptiles.
Surplus Store and Recycling Center Townhall
October 21 | 11 - 12 pm (virutal)
Each month, the Surplus Store & Recycling Center (SSRC) hosts a town halls that focuses on topics related to managing waste as a resource. The format gives attendees an opportunity to hear from industry experts and SSRC staff, ask questions, pick up waste reduction tips, and learn more about the complexities of sustainable materials management. Stay tuned for more information about the October townhall.
CANR College Night: Natural Resources - Sustainable Environments
October 21 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm (virutal)
The event will highlight how Spartans studying in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are having an impact on the world around them, with a focus on natural resources - sustainable environments. It will also look at different academic programs, experiences and career opportunities available to students.
Voices of Sustainable Agriculture Serties: Part II
October 22 | 11 - 12:30 pm (virutal)
What does on-farm sustainability look like? How can farmers implement practices that support their personal, community, and environmental well-being? Participants will learn from farmers, researchers, and educators about healthy soil and water, successful farming practices, seed sovereignty, resilience, and more. Part II will focus on regional seed resilience, edible landscapes and well-being on the farm.
Michigan Beekeepers' Association Fall Conference
October 22-23 (virtual)
Co-hosted by MSU Extension, Beekeepers and people interested in learning more about beekeeping, honey bees, and hive products are welcome to attend. The Michigan Beekeepers’ Association celebrates its 156 years of serving Michigan beekeepers, and the association supports over 30 local beekeeping clubs in Michigan.
October 25, 6-8 pm @ Breslin Center Magic Johnson Statue
The event will provide an opportunity for Spartans to engage in a fun and interactive activity using their “Wheelz” transportation. The focus of the event is to utilize bicycles or strollers for transportation, but please feel free to join us using your scooter.
October 26, 12 - 1 pm @ Minskoff Pavilion Plaza
Join in celebrating MSU's recent Gold Bicycle Friendly University recognition and major bicycle infrastructure enhancements on campus. A brief program will be held at the Minskoff Pavilion Plaza (facing the River Trail) and followed by a slow roll bike ride along the MSU River Trail. Loaner bikes and helmets are available by request.
Secrets of Biodiversity Course: Plants
October 27, 4:30 - 5:30 pm (virutal)
What makes something a frog, and why does it look and live differently than a bird? Even though they may look completely different, all life is related to each other in some way, but living things vary in myriad ways. Discover this variety of life in our natural world with W.K. Kellogg Biological Station scientists through this online course. The Oct. 13 class will focus on plants. Register to attend one or more sessions.