Seven Sustainability Clubs at UGA to Get Involved in this Fall

Lara Strydom

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Graphic: 7 Sustainability Clubs to Get Involved In

 

If there’s one thing that this pandemic has shown us, it’s the power of community. Whether you saw it through the generous donations of home-made masks to frontline workers, college students picking up groceries for their at-risk neighbors, or even the choirs of people singing alongside one another through their socially distanced porches, we as a world have been amazed at just how much can happen when we come together (from a distance, of course). 

And although the power of community will continue to look a little different from what we’re used to, there are still plenty of opportunities for UGA students to further their passion for sustainability alongside their peers this semester. Check out these seven UGA organizations you can get involved with as we continue to strive for a more sustainable community. 

Greenability (for those into advocacy)

Greenability’s three main focuses are political advocacy, campus initiatives, and service projects. In the past, the organization has worked with Georgia government officials to help pass environmental justice legislation that has directly impacted the Athens community, making this a great option for students interested in policy writing. This semester, the organization will be launching a campus initiative focused on decreasing fossil fuel use while also holding socially distant days of service. 

Campus Kitchen (for those into food relief)

Partnered with the Office of Service-Learning, Campus Kitchen serves as a hunger relief program that combats food waste through partnerships with local grocery stores and farms. The program showcases yet another way sustainability and human relief efforts go hand in hand in that surplus food that would otherwise fill up our landfills is instead delivered to older adults and human service agencies. Volunteers can help out in a variety of different ways whether it be through working in the gardens, cooking meals, or even delivering food to the very people who need it. 

Triple Impact Consulting (for those into business)

Interested in corporate social responsibility? Triple Impact Consulting is a brand new UGA organization committed to creating a more sustainable Athens via student-led consulting with local businesses. This first semester will engage and prepare students through speakers and sustainability workshops, all hosted through zoom. Students will then form consulting teams for the spring as they partner with local businesses in promoting sustainability initiatives across the community. Students of all majors and all experience levels are encouraged to join.

UGArden Club (for those with a green thumb)

UGArden provides the perfect hands-on learning experience for students who wish to learn more about implementing sustainable food systems through gardening and agriculture. With their very own garden located down on South Milledge Avenue, students have the chance to see first-hand what it looks like to practice organic gardening. And even if getting down in the dirt might not be your first preference, the club will be offering several other types of fun activities throughout this semester such as pumpkin carving and a night of sunset yoga.

Bag the Bag (for those into waste reduction)

Bag the Bag is an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the environmental consequences surrounding single use plastic items in hopes of inspiring the Athens community to engage in sustainable alternatives. The organization meets once a month in addition to two volunteer days per month including a partnership with the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHARM). Students can also expect a special speaker event once a semester along with a potential documentary screening. 

Speak Out for Species (for those passionate about animals)

In the pursuit of animal advocacy, Speak Out for Species seeks to inspire a passion for protection of all living creatures through raising awareness on a variety of animal rights issues such as declining biodiversity, fashion production, habitat protection, animal experimentation, food use, water usage, entertainment exploitation, and more. Not a vegan? Have no fear! SOS welcomes all people no matter where you fall on the food-choice spectrum. 

American Water Resources Association (for those into water systems)

Open to both undergraduates and graduate students, the UGA chapter of the American Water Resources Association immerses students in an interdisciplinary water resources education. Members will get the chance to participate in regular field trips to local river banks and lakes as they hear from different types of experts in the water resources field. AWRA also works with multiple water-related publications, giving members the chance to serve as citizen scientists as they help carry out water-related research.

 

Editor's Note:

We included seven student sustainability clubs because we like alliteration. In reality, there's so many more. Just a few of the many other sustainability-minded clubs to check out include UGA Ocean Initiative, Karma Coffee, EcoReach, Environmental Law Association, Water Environment Federation, and the newly established Farmers Market Friends. As of 9/8/2020, there are sixty-eight "Environment & Sustainability Community" student organizations at UGA. Something for almost everyone!