Events And Activities
The Office of Sustainability is partnering with other departments and organizations to host Earth Month 2023. This year the Earth Month theme, Invest In Our Planet is meant to boost positive partnership for the planet. Earth Month 2023 will include a month of climate action fun, engaging educational activities and sustainable merch. Please keep checking this page as events and activities will be updated on a regular basis.
Monday, April 3 - Saturday, April 22
Click on the Posters Below to Reveal Additional Details

What: Sustainability & Cool Campus Challenge Jeopardy
Love Jeopardy and sustainability? Compete against other students in fun game to test your environmental knowledge!
When: Thursday, April 6, 2023 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Where: Pentland Hills Fox Hole (F111/G101)
Registration: Link

What: Green Labs Bingo
Description: Play bingo virtually and get a prize for being sustainable in the lab! Take pictures of the item listed on the bingo card and submit the picture online. We will visit your lab and bring prizes.
When: Monday April 10, 2023 - Monday April 17, 2023
Where: virtually! Submit your pictures!
Registration: Link

What: Climate Action Leadership Mixer
Description: Come join us as we explore topics such as Personal Ecological Footprint, Calenviroscreen, PACS ( Policy, Artistic Mediums, Communications & Science) and the ICS (Individual, Community, Systemic) frameworks.
When: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: HUB 265
Registration: LINK

What: Greening Grad Life
Description: Graduate students: Come join your fellow graduate community and explore environmentally conscious options for a sustainable lifestyle. Our guest speaker will teach you how to compost at home, and you'll get more information on how to get your lab "green certified." There will be FREE food to encourage a flexitarian diet!
When: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Physics 2000 Courtyard
Registration: Link

What: Talking Trash: Lamb Canyon Beaumont Landfill Tour
Description: Join the Office of Sustainability and the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources as they tour the Lamb Canyon, Beaumont Landfill. The tour will include the following: Conversion of waste into energy, recycling, oil and paint separation, gas collection system, leachate information, education center and drone for seagulls, talks from recycling specialists, organics and food waste/SB 1383, closed landfills, how landfill areas are selected, policy, engineering, tonnage, environmental justice, operation and future plans.
When: Wednesday April 12, 2023 from 9:00am - 11:30am
Where: Meet in Lot 1 at 8:00am (Vans Departs at 8:15am to Lamb Canyon Landfill - 16411 Lamb Canyon Rd, Beaumont, CA 92223)
Registration: Link(RSVP capacity is 24)

What: R'Garden Tour
Description: Participate in a R'garden Tour and get free produce! Learn more about what the R'Garden does and what it has to offer for UCR Students. Get a chance to pick some produce and learn sustainable facts about the R' Garden!
When: Thursday, April 13, 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: The R'Garden
Registration: Link

What: Toxic & Treasures Tour of Riverside
Join the Office of Sustainability and the People's Collective For Environmental Justice on a Toxic and Treasures Tour of Riverside. This tour will bring together the perspectives of environmental justice communities that live at the frontlines of air pollution for a discussion on the issues and concerns of the growing logistics industry while also sharing solutions and opportunities for change! We will make stops around the Eastside, Moreno Valley, California Air Resources (CARB) and more.
When: Thursday April 13, 2023 from 10:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Meet at Parking Lot 1 at 9:45am (Vans will depart at 10:00am)
Registration: Link (RSVP/van capacity is 24)
Additional information: Some snacks will be provided by UCR Sustainability. Feel free to bring additional snacks and water.

What: How to Apply to Federal Jobs Workshop featuring the Environmental Protection Agency
Camille Weber is the Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator in Region 9’s Mission Support Division. She helps lead the Region’s recruitment efforts by establishing relationships with nationally identified Minority Serving Institutions and providing workshops on the federal hiring process to colleges, universities, and community partners. Her work supports Regional efforts to create an equitable and anti-racist workplace. Her background includes school counseling, career counseling, and social justice work in non-profits and education. Camille holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Linfield University and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco.
Intro for EPA R9: EPA’s Pacific Southwest (Region 9) implements and enforces federal environmental laws in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations. The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. To accomplish this mission, the EPA develops and enforces regulations, issues grants, studies environmental issues, sponsors partnerships, educates people about the environment, and publishes through written materials to inform the public about EPA activities. EPA is a dynamic organization dedicated to improving and preserving public health and the environment with effective and creative solutions. EPA- Region 9 employs more than 800 employees in a variety of complex and challenging career fields. Many positions require travel to locations affected by environmental issues, including hazardous waste, water contamination, pesticides, and air pollution problems.
When: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 10:30am - 12:00pm
Where: Zoom
Registration: Link

What: Earth Month Sustainability Showcase
Description: Welcome to the 2023 Earth Month Sustainability Showcase! The UCR Office of Sustainability is partnering with departments, student organizations, research centers, individuals and community organizations to showcase climate action and sustainability efforts. The showcase audience will be students, staff, faculty and the community. Register your organization, program or project and request items you may need to make your tabling experience at the showcase successful. For questions, comments or clarifications, please contact francis.mitalo@ucr.edu and we will respond as soon as possible. Parking for one vehicle will be provided for community groups that register for the Earth Month Sustainability Showcase.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: UC Riverside Bell Tower
Registration: Vendor Registration

What: Spring Cleaning For Well Being
Description: Learn about the toxic exposure of cleaning products and how to be conscientious about the products you use. You will also be able to make your own cleaning concoction to take home.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: UCR Bell Tower
Registration: Link

What: Carbon PawPrint Pet Toy Workshop
Description: We will be upcycling old t-shirts, tennis ball, and cardboard into pet toys for homeless pets. You will also be able to learn how to create toys for your own pets.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: UCR Bell Tower
Registration: Link

What: Vegan Food Fair
Description: Join the UCR Residential Life Sustainability team in sampling the vegan options from UC Riverside Dining in addition to educational activities with a focus on healthy menus.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Student Recreation Center - MAC GYM
Registration: Link

What: Climate Careers Chat: A Panel on Sustainability Action
Description: Join the Office of Sustainability and the Career Center as we talk to young professional working in the Sustainability and Climate Action Industry.
When: Thursday, April 20, 2023 10:30am - 12:00pm
Where: Zoom
Registration: Link
Panelists Include:
Name: Jasmine Pineda
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Role: Senior Project Coordinator
Bio: Jasmine Pineda is a Senior Project Coordinator with The Energy Coalition (TEC) based out of their Irvine office. At TEC, she supports the Education and Workforce Development Team by supporting educator engagement and outreach efforts. Additionally, she serves as a Regional Supervisor for the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship program. Prior to joining TEC, Jasmine served as a program assistant with Sustainable Horizons Institute and as an education and engagement fellow with TEC through Climate Corps AmeriCorps. Jasmine received her B.S in Sustainability Studies from the University of California, Riverside where she served as a student supervisor at UCR’s Office of Sustainability, assisting with community outreach initiatives focused on expanding sustainability education and resources across campus. Additionally, she received her M.S in Environmental Science & Policy from Johns Hopkins University. Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her dogs, friends, and family.
Name: Xiangyi Li
Organization: California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Role: Staff Air Pollution Specialist
Bio: Dr. Xiangyi Li has been working at California Air Resources Board (CARB) for fourteen years, currently as a Staff Air Pollution Specialist in the Emissions Certification and Compliance Division’s (ECCD) On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Branch. Xiangyi is a licensed Professional Engineer in Mechanical Engineering and an experienced regulator who reviews and certifies OBD systems for compliance with regulatory requirements, leads economic analysis for the most recent OBD regulatory update, and leads OBD confirmatory and compliance testing projects, enforcement of manufacturers’ OBD systems, and OBD program support to compliance evaluations of in-use emissions control systems. Before joining the ECCD, Xiangyi worked in CARB’s Enforcement Division, enforcing various CARB diesel programs, settling multiple enforcement cases, and leading the statewide enforcement of drayage truck and transport refrigeration unit programs. During his CARB tenure, Xiangyi received multiple Superior Accomplishment Awards and Atmosphere Awards for his exceptional service. Xiangyi holds a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of California, Riverside, and a B.S. degree in Thermal Energy Engineering from Zhejiang University. Xiangyi is an avid photographer specializing in documentary portraiture in his spare time. In his professional and personal life, Xiangyi believes in taking on challenges, leading by example, and supporting growth of people that he has an influence on.
Name: Dharini Clare
Organization: Mattel, Inc.
Role: Senior Sustainability Analyst, Global Sustainability and Social Impact team
Bio: Dharini Clare is a sustainability analyst focused on reporting on and communicating environmental, social, and governance efforts across numerous industries. Dharini is currently Senior Sustainability Analyst of Global Sustainability and Social Impact for Mattel, a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest portfolios of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. In her role, Dharini works with investors and leading rating firms to disclose Mattel’s ESG performance and progress our sustainability efforts. Before joining Mattel, Dharini served as a consultant, advising companies across a number of industries on improving ESG disclosure and developing sustainability reports. Dharini earned an MEM from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment with a concentration in Business, as a well as a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she studied Environmental Studies and Technology Management.
Name: Nidia Trejo
Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Pacific Southwest (Region 9) Air Permits Office
Role: Physical Scientist
Bio: Nidia joined the EPA Air Permits Office as a physical scientist in June 2022. She is learning about the Clean Air Act’s new source review and title V permit programs for states and tribes in Region 9 by writing permits and participating in oversight activities, like the Bay Area title V program evaluation. Prior to EPA, she worked with U.S. manufacturers on sustainability projects, at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab on global security objectives, and in testing municipal wastewater for the City of Ithaca in New York. She was motivated to pursue experiences that could shape her understanding of how products or services are made available to people while considering the human and environmental resource impacts. Nidia, who grew up in Los Angeles, has a Master’s degree from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis. She is also a McNair Scholars program alumna.