UNM Launches Sustainability Advisory Committee with Additional Student Representation

Lauren Barela, BS Biology

Shaylene Sanchez, BBA Marketing Management & BA Psychology minor in Human Services 

The University of New Mexico Office of Sustainability is proud to announce the inaugural meeting of UNM’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, a major milestone in advancing a coordinated, campus-wide approach to sustainability.

The committee brings together representatives from across the university to provide strategic guidance, strengthen collaboration, and help advance UNM’s climate and sustainability goals. By connecting academic, operational, and student perspectives, the Advisory Committee will play a key role in shaping a resilient and environmentally responsible future for our campus and community.

We are especially excited to announce the selection of two students, Lauren Barela and Shaylene Sanchez. Their voices will join ASUNM Director of Environmental Affairs, Caitlyn Bizzell, and GPSA Sustainability Director, Isabelle Van Dyke, to ensure that student perspectives remain central to sustainability planning and decision-making at UNM. Both of this year's candidates have served campus by piloting student projects that advance the Sustainability Strategic Plan with events such as the Duck Pond Clean Days and the Greening Game Day initiative. Please join us in congratulating these Lobos for stepping into leadership roles that will help drive meaningful change.

More updates on the committee’s work and opportunities for campus engagement will be shared soon! Check back on our site.

If interested in attending, please RSVP by emailing lobosust@unm.edu.

Our Office shared a table with ARID research institute (Center for Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands).

Office of Sustainability at UNM Day

On February 4th, the Office of Sustainability tabled at the 2026 NM State Legislature.

We had a great time with the UNM and greater New Mexico community, hearing from alumni, current campus partners, and young students from across the state. It was a great day to build community and share more information from our Sustainability Strategic Plan.

At our table, we had an interactive activity where we asked people to vote for their top priority from our key initiatives. No surprise to our Office, “Water Conservation” ranked highest of all our critical interventions.

Data

Water Conservation: 97

Clean Energy & Electricity: 58

Food Waste & Reduction: 46

Reuse, Recycle, Compost: 34

Sustainable Transportation: 29

Total Votes: 264

Many participants in the activity stated water is a building block to sustainability, and we must continue to conserve this precious resource in our desert environment.

Thank you Lobos for helping us collect this data. We look forward to this event next year!

UNM Utility Services' Water Team

UNM News Features Utility Services Water Savings story

The Office of Sustainability continues to applaud the Water Utilities team as they are featured in UNM News for their fourth Impact on Water Efficiency & the Environment (IWEE) Award.

This achievement supports UNM 2040 Goal Four: Sustainability and the UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan, reinforcing the University’s commitment to responsible resource stewardship.

You can read the complete story here.

Save the Date!

April is Earth Month at UNM! Here are some dates to keep on your calendar:

• 4/22 North Campus Earth Day - Campus Clean Up
• 4/23 UNM Sustainability Expo
• 4/24 Arbor Day/Central Campus Clean Up
• 5/6 Bike to UNM Day

Will you be hosting an Earth Month event you would like us to post on our website? Email us with all the details.

Campus Community Events

Fall in love with secondhand style at GPSA’s Valentine’s Thrift Swap at UNM on February 13th!

Are you looking for ways to share the love in a more sustainable 'fashion'?

Bring gently used clothes, accessories, or small treasures and trade them for something new-to-you—no money, no waste, just sustainable fun. Refresh your wardrobe, meet fellow Lobos, and celebrate a holiday that’s good for your closet and the planet.

Whether you’re hunting for a unique date-night look or just love a good thrifting find, this swap is your perfect match. Break up with fast fashion and give pre-loved items a second chance and keep textiles out of the landfill—because sustainability is always in style.

Contact GPSA or visit the office for donations and other related questions.

Check out the "One Earth One Kin" exhibit at Spectra Gallery located in the Honors College Forum, Anderson School of Management Building, lower level.

Open to all 9am-5pm! 

Cold Frame Workshop

Lobo Gardens and Jardin Ollin will be hosting a workshop this Friday at the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department, 1829 Sigma Chi Rd. NE, to teach folks how to extend their growing season.

The workshop will teach participants how to build cold frames and install row covers.

UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan Released

After a year-long stakeholder engagement process, UNM has released its 5-year Sustainability Plan



Explore more here.

Free! UNM Bike Valet

A staffed, bike parking service funded by students and designed to make riding to campus easier, more convenient, and better supported than ever.

This service promotes sustainable, active transportation by offering added convenience and an extra layer of staffed oversight beyond standard bike racks.

Explore how it works here!