NEWS & UPDATES

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Kless Sustainability Fund Applications open for Spring 2026!

Want to make a real impact with sustainability here at UM? Consider applying for Kless funds! Applications for Spring 2026 Kless Sustainability Proposals are NOW OPEN! Project proposals will be accepted until March 11th at 11:59 pm. Proposals should be prepared with the help of the Sustainability Engagement Coordinator and relevant campus building managers to help guarantee completeness. Visit the Kless Sustainability webpage to learn more about the application process.

Grant Funds Available: $26,500

Large Loan Funds Available: $254,000

Visit the Kless Website

April is Earth Month!

Even though it may seem like the distant future, April is approaching quickly and we want to make sure everyone is ready to celebrate Earth Month! Here are some things to keep in mind (and on your calendar) as we get closer.

Save the Date - April 21st, 11:30 AM to 2 PM: Join us for our annual Earth Day Fair on the UM Oval. Celebrate Earth Week by learning about ways you can get involved with climate action, conservation, sustainability, and more on campus and in your community.

Table at our Fair: Every year at our Earth Day Fair, we have around 50 campus and community organizations that highlight climate action, conservation, and sustainability join us on the oval. If you are interested in participating and tabling with us, send us an email, and we will follow up with more information.

Call for Events: Do you have or know of any Earth Month events that we can help support or promote? We would love to support any organizations highlighting Earth Month in any way we can, so if you know of any such events, send us an email!

Email Us

2025 Zero Waste Football Season

Our Zero Waste Ambassadors worked hard this fall to divert waste from the landfill during home football games! Over the course of 11 events, we diverted a combined 184 cubic yards of both recycling and compost. A big thanks to our student workers who sort with a smile, the Athletics team for trusting us with the task, and Coca Cola for providing a sponsorship to support zero waste efforts. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings! Learn more about zero waste athletics at the link above.

UC Behavior Change Study

We spent November and December promoting compost and zero waste efforts in the UC Commons. By removing trash cans and supplementing with extra zero waste stations, along with signage, shadow boxes, and top-sorting, our compost diversion increased by 246%, practically OVERNIGHT! Even with new signage and bins, contamination is still a challenge. Please pay attention and follow proper signage when you toss your waste. And, help your friend! Teach them the proper way to compost. More info on the study and plans for next steps at the link above.

Green Labs Fall 2025 Update

Our Green Labs team made strong progress this fall thanks to enthusiastic campus support. They conducted lab walkthroughs with new and existing participants, updated program data, and implemented improvements, including ULT freezer reductions, new visual aids, and TerraCycle recycling boxes. Two new research spaces were fully onboarded, and Green Labs was presented at Chemistry and Physical Therapy department meetings. The team also launched a monthly Sustainability Newsletter and supported campus composting and e-waste efforts. This spring, Green Labs plans to expand participation, increase recycling awareness, and explore new collaborations across UM-affiliated facilities. Interested in getting involved? Reach out to the Office of Sustainability to learn more.

EVENTS & EXPERIENCES

Career Closet Pop-Up Event: Future Fit Check - February 19th

Looking for business clothes for interviews, summer internships, or a new job? Join us at the Career Closet pop-up during the Future Fit Check event (part of the Career Days events series)! We are accepting donations the day-of, if you have any career clothing to get rid of. We are also looking for students to help volunteer at this event! We need help with set-up, organizing clothing during the event, and clean-up.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

Tips for a Sustainable Valentine’s Day

Choose experiences over stuff.
Plan a hike, cook a favorite meal together, or visit a local event. Memories last longer (and create less waste) than most gifts.
Go local with flowers or skip them altogether.
If you’re buying flowers, choose locally grown or dried blooms—or opt for a houseplant that will keep growing long after Valentine’s Day.
Shop secondhand or handmade.
Thrifted finds, vintage jewelry, or locally made gifts reduce waste and support your community.
Ditch single-use wrapping.
Wrap gifts in a scarf, reuse paper you already have, or skip wrapping entirely and write a thoughtful note instead.
Plan a low-waste date.
Cook at home, pack a picnic with reusable containers, or walk/bike to your destination to cut down on transportation and packaging waste.

Learn More

2026 Winter Clean Commute Challenge

Join ASUM Transportation next week and commute sustainably! Take advantage of the warm weather and join the Griz Winter Clean Commute Challenge! From February 9th to 20th, log your sustainable commutes to UM for school, work, extracurriculars, or sporting events in your Way to Go! account and earn points towards prizes!

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Climate and Health in the 406 is March 7 in Bozeman. Great for non-healthcare people also!
Registration is now open.

Learn More Here

Learn more and join us!

February 6-7 | Running up for Air

Register today for RUFA Mt Sentinel! This annual endurance and fun(!) event raises crucial funds for our clean air efforts. There's something for everyone, really.

And most thrilling: There's now a 24-hour RUFA (starts 6pm, Feb. 6)! Also new this year are multiple start time options for the 3-hour and 6-hour events.

February 12 | Climate Ambassadors Training

Climate Smart Missoula is hosting another round of Climate Ambassadors Training. Join them before Valentine's day weekend to fall in love with local climate solutions and find your perfect match!

This 90-minute program includes lunch (provided for all registrants) and a crash course in Climate Smart Missoula's programs, plus time to workshop your own action plan and identify ways your unique skills and passions intersect with climate solutions.

RSVP Here

Learn more and join us!

Curious about getting involved with Families for a Livable Climate - or ready to take your next step? Join them for a friendly, low-pressure welcome call on Tuesday, Feb 10 at 12:00pm (MT) on Zoom.

They’ll share who they are, how they organize, and how Montanans across the state are building collective power for a livable climate. You’ll meet other climate-concerned folks, learn about our programs and pathways for engagement, and leave with clear next steps to get involved in ways that fit your interests, skills, and capacity.

RSVP on GrizHub!

Makerspace Workshops - Feb

Workshop: Cricut Creations — 3D Paper Animals & Heat-Press Decals

Dates:

Day 1: Friday, February 20th | 5:00pm–7:00pm

Day 2: Saturday, February 21st | 10:00am–2:00pm

Cost: $20 (Due on Day 1 — credit/debit only)
RSVP Required

Spend your spring break making a difference with UM's Alternative Breaks!

Pack your backs and join a team of UM students spending their spring break volunteering across the country! Whether you’re empowering youth in Seattle, supporting disaster recovery in North Carolina, or restoring fragile dune habitat in California, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with local leaders, contribute to projects that matter, and reflect deeply on what it means to be part of a community.

Each trip also includes time to explore the region’s history, culture, and environment through team-planned recreation and learning experiences.