Student Reps for Needed for Green Affairs Team

MCV Campus Green Affairs Team

Want to make your residence, unit, department, program, school greener? We are looking for green affairs representatives from all schools and programs to get involved with sustainability educational outreach and community service projects. Our first meeting is:

5:30pm, Wednesday, September 5th

MCV-C SGA Office

3rd Floor, Hunton Student Center

We will discuss some ways you can get involved:

·         Learn how to get recycling in your area of the school

·         Participate/organize clean-ups in the nearby neighborhood of Union Hill/Church Hill

·         Help low-income households in Union Hill plant their own vegetable and flower gardens

·         Help organize electronics recycling events on MCV Campus

·         Help maintain and grow crops for food banks at the new VCU Community Garden

·         Participate/organize Eco-Tables with hospital staff from the VCUHS Eco-Sustainability Group

·         Serve on the VCU Sustainability Committee

·         Help organize a Green Lunch with a guest speaker of your choice on a topic related to health & environment

·         Work with the VCUHS Eco-Sustainability group on educational outreach helping the general public learn about the links between health and envrionment

·         Have your own green ideas? We can help you make it a reality!

More VCU Community Garden Volunteer Days - Get Involved!

***Update: This Thursday and Friday the volunteer work day has changed to 11am-5pm, sorry for the short notice and any inconvenience!  Sign up to volunteer to get the latest news and updates.

Got community spirit? Need to get some extra service learning hours, or staff volunteer hours? Come out this Thursday and Friday,  to help us turn the VCU Community Garden into a safe haven for our friends, the bees and other pollinator insects, to help ensure bountiful crops for the first open season of the garden this summer. Sign up to volunteer whole or half days at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XMSKCLG

All volunteers get a free meal and a plant to take home! No gardening experience necessary, all tools and gloves provided. Please wear sturdy, close-toed shoes and bring your own water bottle if you have one.

VCU Community Garden Summer Plot and Volunteer Registration Open!

Sign up now to help build the garden, the ground breaking days will be Friday, March 30th, and Saturday, March 31st (10am-4pm). You can also help plant the pollinator and volunteer gardens on Saturday, April 7th and Sunday, April 8th (10am-4pm). All food grown in volunteer plots will be donated to local food banks. Volunteer for these events, ongoing maintenance of volunteer plots, or related projects like VCU Bayscape gardens or the Union Hill Garden Project by signing up here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XMSKCLG

If you would like to grow food of your own, we have individual or shared plots at very reasonable prices.  
Register at:
 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GZ8BH6K by Thursday, April 5th. Register early as space is limited!

All plots include free use of water from on-site spigots, one pair of complementary garden gloves to keep, and free access to shared garden tools. 

Volunteer plots: Free


Small plot (5'w x 3.5'd)
Semester: $10 + $10 deposit
Year: $20 + $10 deposit


Medium plot (5'w x 7d')
Semester: $15 + $10 deposit
Year: $35 + $10 deposit


Large plot (7.5w' x 7'd)
Semester: $25 + $10 deposit
Year: $45 + $10 deposit 

Organic Gardening Workshop and Seed Starting Party

Sunday, February 26th

10:30am - 4pm

871 N 22ND ST

Directions:
http://bit.ly/zbzaT7

In preparation for the upcoming VCU Community Garden or for starting your own garden at home, why not come out and learn some organic gardening skills and learn how to start your own plants from seed! Wear sturdy shoes, weather appropriate clothing that you can get dirty,and bring your own garden tools if you have them. We will have plenty of gloves and garden tools to share, and no previous gardening experience is necessary. 10am: Meet at the VCU Campus Connector bus stop in front of Cabell Library to bus or bike over together. Those interested in carpooling can post to this page if they are driving and have room for extra people. 10:30am-1pm: Get a tour of Rachel's organic garden and help prepare the Spring beds for planting while Rachel teaches you the basics of organic gardening. You'll get to see many sustainable garden features including rain barrels, worm composting, traditional composting, drip and soaker hose timer irrigation, hay bale gardening, raised beds, and the Ruth Stout mulch method. Lucky participants will take home new skills as well as some of Rachel's delicious organic potatoes and onions. 1pm-1:30pm: Break for lunch. Bring your own lunch to eat or about $5 to chip in for ordering pizza. 2pm: Bring your own newspaper, toilet paper rolls, and cardboard egg cartons to learn how to start seeds the eco-friendly way. Seed starting soil-less mix will be provided, as well as a variety of different organic and heirloom seeds. Bring your own seeds if you have them to grow or to trade. You will learn how to take care of your seedlings as they grow, and natural ways to prevent damping-off disease. This event is pretty flexible and low-key, so show up when you can for part or all of the workshop. If you're coming on your own, here are the directions: http://bit.ly/zbzaT7 This event is free and open to everyone! Green Unity merchandise will be for sale for those who wish to support our various community outreach efforts: -Rain Barrels: $55 -Green Unity Recycled Cotton T-shirts: $10 -Green Unity BPA-free Water Bottles: $10 -Recycled PET reusable Earth Chico bags: $10 (reg. $13)

VCU Community Garden Gets Ready to Break Ground!

Hello all you garden enthusiasts! Just a quick update on the VCU Community Garden:
Plot applicants will be notified this Sunday, February 12th if you are on the waiting list, or have received a plot, and how to sign the waiver and pay your plot fee and deposit. Special thanks to the 48 people who applied for plots, we are thrilled to see so much interest. And if you won't get a plot right away, don't worry, we have another garden project in the works!

Ground breaking for the garden is set for Sat. Feb. 25th and Sun. Feb. 26th, from 10am-4pm both days. Volunteers will help us build traditional raised beds, build water-wise raised beds (sub-irrigated and hugelkultur), paint on a natural wood protectant to help the beds last longer, plant the pollinator gardens, and mulch. If you haven't done so already, you can sign up to volunteer here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CZJ5T2D

Thanks for everyone's help so far in getting this amazing project off the ground!

VCU Community Garden Registration

Green Unity, VCU's student-run environmental organization, is starting a community garden this semester with the help of the MCV Campus SGA next to the Larrick Student Center. Staff, faculty and students from both campuses can use the garden. Participants can plant and harvest their own food or help in volunteer plots to provide food donations to local groups such as soup kitchens. 

Register by February 2nd: http://www.surveymonkey.com/checkrequest.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/s/KGH2K5F 


More details and cost can be found on the VCU Community Garden page: 
http://green-unity.blogspot.com/p/vcu-community-garden.html


All other questions please email us at vcucommunitygarden@gmail.com

Electronics Recycling on MCV Campus

Our first large scale Electronics Recycling (e-Cycling) event is coming to MCV Campus November 16th! Bring all of your personal electronics and pick up some sustainability info when you drop by.

We can accept VCU surplus items with this info:
-Conact Name
-Name of research group who purchased the electronic(s)
-Name of grant used to purchase the electronic(s) (if possible)
-Keep personal electronics separate from surplus electronics

We are also accepting some non-electronic items for recycling/repurposing:

• #5 plastic containers (clean/rinsed)
• Cosmetics packaging (lipstick cases, mascara tubes, eye shadow cases, shampoo bottles, etc., for a full list click here. Not accepted: hair spray cans, nail polish bottles and nail polish remover bottle)
• Scotch tape packaging (plastic tape dispensers, plastic tape cores)
• Various promotional items/items you don't use anymore
• Reusable bags (in good condition)
• Working USB keys (non-working can be recycled instead)
• Unused water bottles
• Unused coffee mugs/travel mugs

Time	Wednesday, November 16 · 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location	Larrick Student Center Lobby (moved due to rain) 900 Turpin St. Richmond, VA
More Info

Worm Composting - Back by Popular Demand

Register by 5pm November 17th to attend this workshop:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VM5D9QJ

Tricycle Gardens will also teach us general composting skills, and will demonstrate their own self-watering planter design, so you can make your own. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and support our Union Hill Community Garden Project!

Time	Sunday, November 20 · 1pm - 4pm
Location	Jackson Ward Room, Larrick Center, MCV Campus 900 Turpin St. Richmond, VA
More Info	To register, please follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PZ6BQ83 Learn how to compost with worms with Tricycle Gardens and Green Unity.

Join our Planting Family this Saturday

Wear study shoes and bring a water bottle if you have one. We have garden tools and gloves to share - no gardening experience required! Free snacks and water provided, free pedometer or trowel with flower bulbs for all volunteers. This is a family friendly event - feel free to bring your kids to help beautify RVA!

Union Hill Garden Planting

Saturday, November 5th

2-4pm

Meet at N 20th and O St.

Directions

Post-Halloween Clean-Up in Union Hill

Time	Saturday, November 12 · 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location	Corner of O St. and N 20TH St
More Info	Help beautify RVA! Wear sturdy shoes, and bring your own water bottle and gloves if you have them. Free snacks and beverages, as well as disposable gloves, trash pickers, and bags will be provided.

A Community Garden for VCU?

VCU Community Garden Planning Meeting

Time	Monday, November 7 · 12pm - 1pm
Location	Dean's Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Hunton Student Center MCV Campus 1110 E. Broad St. Richmond, Virginia
More Info	All interested VCU students, faculty, and staff, as well as Richmond community members, are invited to attend this first planning meeting for a proposed community garden on MCV Campus at VCU. We will need lots of energy and enthusiasm to get this idea off the ground - bring your input and ideas. Proposed site is on the East side of Larrick Center, across from N parking deck. Hope to see you all there!

Saturdays are Perfect for Planting in Union Hill

All students who attend will have the choice of taking home a garden trowel with flowers to plant, or a pedometer, so you can beautify your home and stay healthy!

Time	Sunday, October 23 · 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location	Corner of O St. and N 20TH St
More Info	Join us and the local residents and kids this week planting flowers to beautify RVA! Directions to the event: http://green-unity.blogspot.com/2011/03/which-way-to-neighborhood-clean-up.html Bring study shoes, and a water bottle if you have them. We will have gloves and garden tools to share. Free snacks and water provided. This is a family friendly event - feel free to bring your kids to help beautify RVA!

National Drug Take-Back Day

Time	Saturday, October 29 · 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location	VCU Medical Center Gateway Building 1200 East Marshall Street Richmond, Virginia
More Info	The Phi Delta Chi Professional Pharmacy Fraternity and the VCU Police Department will be coordinating a medication disposal event, along with the DEA. Phi Delta Chi will have volunteers at the VCU Medical Center Gateway Building, to collect any unused or expired medications. The purpose of these National Take Back Days are to provide a venue for persons who wanted to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. These efforts were a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets and avoiding unwanted disposal into our water system, as the American Public turned in more than 309 tons of pills on these National Take Back Days.

Green Unity Wants to Help You Learn Worm Composting

Last chance - register by 5pm tomorrow (Thursday) to attend this workshop:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PZ6BQ83

Tricycle Gardens will also teach us general composting skills, and will demonstrate their own self-watering planter design, so you can make your own. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and support our Union Hill Community Garden Project!

Time	Monday, October 17 · 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Location	Courtend Ballroom B, Larrick Center, MCV Campus 900 Turpin St. Richmond, VA
More Info	To register, please follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PZ6BQ83 Learn how to compost with worms with Tricycle Gardens and Green Unity. Worm composting is great for small spaces indoors, as it gives off little to no odor. Perfect for dorm and apartment dwellers with no access to a yard. When combined with recycling, worm composting can reduce the amount of household waste going to the landfill by up to 80%. Participants will take home their own worm composting kit, so they can try it at home! All proceeds from this event go to support the Union Hill Community Garden Project. Admission is guaranteed for the first 20 students to register. Limited additional space is available for VCU faculty & staff, as well as Richmond community members. Workshop cost: $20 per person Student discounted cost: $15 per person Payment can be made at the event through cash or check

Plant Up Some Happiness in Union Hill

All students who attend will have the choice of taking home a garden trowel with flowers to plant, or a pedometer, so you can beautify your home and stay healthy!

Time	Saturday, October 15 · 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location	Corner of O St. & N 20TH St Richmond, VA
More Info	Join us and the local residents and kids this week planting flowers to beautify RVA! Directions to the event: http://green-unity.blogspot.com/2011/03/which-way-to-neighborhood-clean-up.html Bring study shoes, gloves, a small shovel (trowel) & a large shovel, hoe, or pick ax if you have them. We will have extra garden tools to share. Free snacks & water provided. This is a family friendly event - feel free to bring your kids to help beautify RVA!

More photos from the last planting event:

Time	Tuesday, October 11 · 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location	Patterson Memorial Garden, Hunton Student Center 1110 E Broad St. Richmond, Virginia
More Info	Please join members of Green Unity for VCU as we honor Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System, on the occasion of his Inauguration. Lunch will be served. Sponsored by MCV Campus SGA and Green Unity for MCV Campus. This is a zero waste event. Please bring your student ID to receive your complementary lunch.

Union Hill Gets It's Green On

Time Sunday, October 9 · 1:00pm - 3:00pm Location Meet at corner of O St. and N 20th St. Richmond, VA More Info Help beautify RVA! Wear sturdy shoes, and bring your own water bottle and gloves if you have them. Free snacks and beverages, as well as disposable gloves, trash pickers, and trash bags will be provided. Directions to the event: http://green-unity.blogspot.com/2011/03/which-way-to-neighborhood-clean-up.html Free information about VCU sustainability and how to get city curb-side recycling pick-up will be on hand. We will also be selling rain barrels ($55), Green Unity water bottles ($10, 22oz, aluminum, BPA-free), Green Unity t-shirts ($10, 69% recycled Cotton), and reusable ChicoBags ($10, 100% recycled PET) to fundraise for Green Unity in order to continue our community and educational outreach events like this one.

Come Garden with us in Union Hill!

We're still on for today - see you at 2pm at O & N 20th


Union Hill Community Garden Project

Time	Saturday, September 24 · 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location	Meet at corner of O St. and N 20th St. Richmond, Virginia
More Info	Join us and the local residents and kids this week planting flowers to beautify RVA, and vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, lettuce) too! Bring study shoes, gloves, a small shovel (trowel) & a large shovel, hoe, or pick ax if you have them. We will have extra garden tools to share. Free snacks & water provided. This is a family friendly event - feel free to bring your kids to help beautify RVA! Thanks to all of our loyal gardeners for their help every week, and to Tricycle Gardens, Stacey Moulds, Mechanicsville Home Depot, Central Richmond Lowes, and VCU Office of Sustainability for their generous donations to help support this project! Also thanks to Cynthia Oliver for the use of her land to plant the apple trees!

Green Lunch with Nick Cooney

RSVP here for your free lunch! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YNG5HTK

Time	Thursday, September 22 · 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Location	Room 114, MCV Alumni House, MCV Campus 1016 E. Clay St. Richmond, VA
More Info	Please RSVP if you wish to receive a free lunch, using the link below: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YNG5HTK Join us for a free lunch at this zero waste event with special guest Nick Cooney. Hear about Green Unity and what you can do to get involved in sustainability and community outreach at VCU and the surrounding communities. All students, faculty, staff, and Richmond community members are welcome to attend! Nick Cooney is a 29 year old founder of two non-profits and the author of Change Of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change. His advocacy work has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine. Each year he speaks to hundreds of college activists, which has included Harvard and Princeton, about how they can be more effective at creating the change they want to see on their campus and in the world. More information on his book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Change-Heart-Psychology-Spreading-Social/dp/159056233X Free information about VCU sustainability and how to get city curb-side recycling pick-up will be on hand. We will also be selling Green Unity water bottles ($10, 22oz, aluminum, BPA-free), Green Unity t-shirts ($10, 69% recycled Cotton), and reusable ChicoBags ($10, 100% recycled PET) to fundraise for Green Unity in order to continue our community and educational outreach events like Green Lunch, neighborhood clean-ups, and community garden projects.

Next Union Hill Community Garden Planting Wednesday, September 7th

Update: This event has been rescheduled for tomorrow because of rain.

Time	Thursday, September 8 · 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location	Corner of O St. & N 22ND St Richmond, VA Map & Directions
More Info	Join us and the local residents and kids this week planting flowers to beautify RVA, and hopefully some cool crops (broccoli, cabbage, lettuce) too! We're meeting at the old spot on the corner of O St. & N 22ND St. Bring study shoes, gloves, a small shovel (trowel) & a large shovel, hoe, or pick ax if you have them. We will have extra garden tools to share. Free snacks & water provided. This is a family friendly event - feel free to bring your kids to help beautify RVA! Thanks to all of our loyal gardeners for their help every week, and to Tricycle Gardens, Stacey Moulds, Mechanicsville Home Depot, Central Richmond Lowes, and VCU Office of Sustainability for their generous donations to help support this project! Also thanks to Cynthia Oliver for the use of her land to plant the apple trees!