Office of Sustainability
EcoHighlanders
About Us:
The EcoHighlanders team works with UCR Residential Life to engage students who live on campus to implement educational events and activities aimed at minimizing the campus’s environmental impact and carbon footprint. This is done through educational workshops, volunteer opportunities, and community outreach that is rooted in the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices. The relevant policy areas include: green building design, clean energy, climate action, sustainable transportation, zero waste, sustainable procurement, sustainable food services, sustainable water systems, general sustainability performance assessment, health and wellbeing, anti-racism diversity, equity, and inclusion.
EcoHighlanders is committed to promoting sustainable living within the UCR community and exceeding the sustainability policies set by the University of California system. With everyone’s help, even the smallest changes in our daily routines can make a significant difference in protecting our planet. Join us in our mission to protect our environment and create a sustainable future for all. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can shape the future.
What We Do:
Outreach: EcoHighlanders promotes student engagement through tabling events in dining halls and collaborations with Resident Advisors (RAs) and Program Advisors (PAs) by sharing valuable resources and tips through newsletters and social media platforms.
Education: Host fun and engaging workshops and presentations on diverse sustainability topics, and offer sustainable knowledge and tools for students to make sustainable choices about their carbon footprint. Work together with the Resident Advisors (RAs) and Program Advisors (PAs) to integrate sustainability into their educational efforts, further increasing the climate action impact.
Volunteering: Provide students with volunteer opportunities to get involved in hands-on environment activities. EcoHighlanders organizes volunteer activities like trail clean-ups, beach clean-ups, and tree planting in partnership with local nonprofits.
Our Goals:
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Create a culture of sustainability within UCR's residential communities and educate the students about their carbon footprint.
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Equip residents with the knowledge and skills to make informed eco-friendly choices.
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Inspire residents to become lifelong advocates for sustainability.
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Promote environmental literacy and inspire action for a greener future.
Green Living Guide 2023 by UCR Sustainability
FAQ
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What do we do in EcoHighlanders?
EcoHighlander’s goal is to engage with students within residential communities and connect them to sustainable initiatives and resources. The primary focus is to encourage sustainable living within housing communities through community outreach, volunteerism, urban greening, climate education, and workshops.
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What kind of Outreach do we facilitate?
The outreach we focus on is mobilizing residential communities by fostering a sense of urgency to drive collective action against the challenges of climate change. This is done through education workshops and engagement events on topics that range from zero waste, climate justice, healthy food, and sustainable transportation.
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How can you get involved with EcoHighlanders?
Follow the Office of Sustainability's social media account for upcoming volunteer events and educational workshops. Sign up for the Office of Sustainability newsletter to stay informed about campus-wide sustainability opportunities and fun volunteering activities.
Meet the Team:
Ricky Moreno
California Climate Action Corps Fellow
Diego Mora
California Climate Action Corps Fellow
Lin Myat
California Climate Action Corps Fellow