A Legacy of Grassroots Action
“We can’t say we’re Canada’s Green University if we’re not doing anything green.”
Ann Duong, Sustainability Manager, UNBC
Born from Student Initiative
Originally a student class project in a ‘public engagement for sustainability’ course, Green Day began as a single-day event in 2012. It featured tables, community booths, and keynote speakers who engaged students in conversations surrounding environmental issues and sustainable living in the Prince George area.
As word spread, the event became a key component of UNBC life, supported by student groups, faculty, and eventually, a dedicated sustainability office. UNBC was founded in 1990 out of frustration over the lack of accessible higher education for Northern B.C. communities, where 5,000 residents pledged $5 each for a university that reflected their needs—the same grassroots spirit that continues to drive Green Day today.
Pandemic Disruption & Student-Led Revival
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Green Day’s momentum. Volunteer-led programs collapsed, and UNBC’s sustainability office was dissolved for nearly five years. During this time, the university continued to call itself Canada’s Green University, but with minimal programming to support the claim.
Frustrated by the disconnect between branding and action, students took it upon themselves to organize and advocate for change once again. This activism paid off. By 2024, a new sustainability office was established under Ann Duong, a former UNBC student, and with it came a revitalized Green Day—now a week-long, multi-campus initiative with clear emphasis on community engagement and inclusive dialogue.
What are the SDGs?
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” Each Green Day event was aligned with one or more of these goals, allowing the programming to explore topics such as energy justice, food sovereignty, and rural health.
By framing Green Day activities around the SDGs, UNBC connects local sustainability action to global priorities, helping students understand how their efforts contribute to worldwide environmental and social progress.
Green Day 2025: A Week of Action
March 17-21, 2025 Programming
- Campus Race to Zero Waste Competition – Students competed to reduce waste across campus
- BC Hydro EnergyWise Campaign – Energy conservation education and practical tips
- Tabling & Breakout Sessions – 10+ local sustainability organizations engaged with students
- UNBC Sustainability Strategic Plan – Overview and community discussion of the 2025-2035 plan
- Clothing Swaps & Thrift Events – Promoting circular fashion and waste reduction
- Hydroponics & Composting Workshops – Hands-on learning with take-home kits
- Outdoor Screening of WALL-E – Featuring Ford Lightning EV demonstration
Spectrum Street Epistemology
An innovative approach to climate dialogue, this event invited participants to physically position themselves along a line based on how strongly they agreed or disagreed with environment-related prompts. Participants then engaged in facilitated discussions on topics such as energy policy, climate science, and rural health services.
According to Ann Duong, “You’d see people say, ‘I didn’t know that,’ and begin collaborative discussion.” The goal was not to debate, but to build shared understanding across diverse perspectives.
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Key Features:
- Physical positioning along an opinion spectrum
- Facilitated dialogue to foster understanding
- Topics ranging from energy to healthcare
- Focus on learning rather than winning debates
Community Partnerships
Duong emphasized that reaching beyond campus was not just symbolic, but meant to strengthen community ties. Local non-profits co-hosted several events highlighting community food insecurity, homelessness, and addiction—topics often pushed aside in sustainability conversations.
“We can’t just plant trees and say everything’s fine. There has to be a more practical, realistic way of looking at things,” Duong explained. Hybrid-accessible panels were recorded for the UNBC Sustainability YouTube channel, overcoming digital access barriers and building a library of open resources.
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Partnership Benefits:
- Inclusive programming from schoolchildren to retirees
- Addressing systemic issues beyond environmental topics
- Recorded content for broader accessibility
- Collaboration with local researchers and non-profits
Multi-Campus Reach
The revitalized Green Day extended beyond Prince George to engage UNBC’s regional campuses and the broader Northern BC community. Most events were scheduled during Spring Break, which opened doors to local school districts and families.
Children could craft sculptures from recycled materials, and a community canning circle took place in downtown Prince George, further connecting the university to its broader community and demonstrating practical sustainability skills.
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Outreach Initiatives:
- Family-friendly activities during Spring Break
- Downtown Prince George community events
- K-12 school district partnerships
- Regional campus engagement across Northern BC
UNBC Sustainability YouTube Channel
Watch recordings of Green Day panels, workshops, and events on the UNBC Sustainability YouTube channel. The channel features hybrid-accessible content designed to overcome digital access barriers for residents across Northern BC.
How to Implement Your Own Green Day
Build a Sustainable Budget
Much of Green Day’s funding comes from external grants, including FeedBC and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). Duong applies for funding on a rolling basis, but emphasizes that the goal is to secure a permanent operating budget for greater consistency and expansion.
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Funding Strategy:
- Apply for external sustainability grants
- Seek institutional support for permanent funding
- Partner with local organizations for resource sharing
- Build relationships with regional funders
Build Community Ownership
Duong is clear that the event’s strength doesn’t lie in the budget—it lies in the people. “Don’t do all the work yourself. Put out a call, invite everyone to take ownership, and build something shared. That’s what makes it sustainable.”
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Planning Essentials:
- Leverage existing coursework and faculty expertise
- Engage community partners early in the process
- Align events with UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Schedule during breaks to maximize community participation
Create Diverse Programming
Include hands-on workshops, panel discussions, competitions, and family-friendly activities. Ensure events are accessible both in-person and online to reach the broadest possible audience across your region.
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Programming Tips:
- Balance education with hands-on activities
- Address uncomfortable topics like food insecurity
- Create opportunities for dialogue across differences
- Record events for ongoing educational use
Ensure Longevity Through Student Leadership
Student volunteers play a key role, ensuring knowledge is passed down each year to maintain event longevity and growth. Green Day continues to evolve, already having significant impact on university policy, student engagement, and cross-campus collaborations.
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Sustainability Strategies:
- Develop student leadership pipelines
- Document processes for future organizers
- Build institutional support and policy integration
- Expand partnerships beyond campus boundaries
Explore UNBC’s Sustainability Page
Learn more about UNBC’s Green Day program and explore how to get involved in their initiative.
A Model for Rural Sustainability
UNBC’s Green Day serves as a living example of what sustainability can look like in rural and politically diverse contexts. Through collaboration, transparency, and a deep commitment to place-based learning, the university has turned a once-silent program into a growing force for climate action, equity, and public engagement.
From a single student project in 2012 to a week-long, multi-campus initiative supported by a dedicated sustainability office, Green Day demonstrates how grassroots passion combined with institutional support can create lasting environmental and cultural change in Northern communities.