University of North Texas

Division of Student Affairs

UNT Sustainability

We Mean Green Fund 

We Mean Green Fund

Start something green with the We Mean Green Fund (WMGF). The WMGF provides an opportunity for members of the UNT community to make our campus even greener! The We Mean Green Fund is made possible by the student body through their contributions via the Environmental Service Fee. Each student contributes $5 to the Environmental Service Fee during the spring and fall semesters to help reduce UNT's impact on the environment. 

The WMGF Has 2 Co-Equal Goals

  1. Have the greatest possible impact to increase the environmental sustainability of the UNT campus

  2. Have the greatest possible impact for students at UNT by providing educational opportunities related to environmental sustainability

We Mean Green Fund Committee

The We Mean Green Fund (WMGF) Committee is a student-majority committee comprised of 10 students and 3 faculty or staff members. The committee has the large responsibility of evaluating environmental sustainability project proposals that are submitted by the UNT community, and recommending funding of approved projects from the We Mean Green Fund.

The Student Government Association, Graduate Student Council, Faculty Senate, and Staff Senate each appoint one representative to the committee, and all other spots are filled through an open application.

Committee Member Benefits

  • Gain valuable insight and experience at the university level
  • Network with sustainability focused people at UNT
  • Learn the process of project selection and evaluation
    Contact Us: wemeangreenfund@unt.edu

     

UNT Goes GreenSense, 100% Renewable Electricity

UNT will have 100% renewable electricity through enrollment in Denton Municipal Electric’s GreenSense Renewable Electricity Program. UNT’s enrollment will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates to ensure that energy from green sources is delivered to the grid to cover the electricity use at UNT’s main campus and Discovery Park campus. This We Mean Green Fund project was mentored by Dr. Adam Briggle and had a team of contributors including students. This purchase represents the desire of countless students that UNT commit to renewable energy.

Learn more HERE.

 

UNT Community Garden

A group of students led a proposal to establish the UNT Community Garden between North Texas Lofts and Legends Hall.  The garden is a FREE resource for students, faculty, and staff to garden, learn, and build community!

To join as a garden member or to learn more go HERE.

Pollinative Prairie

In support of UNT’s Bee Campus USA designation, a group of UNT staff and students have received funding and access to 4.5 acres of space for the Pollinative Prairie, prairie restoration project. The prairie will serve as a pollinator habitat and feature native grasses, wildflowers, and habitat spaces to protect, preserve, and promote native pollinator populations.

Solar Trailer

UNT provides a number of educational and social events on campus every year. Many of these events require electricity, and traditionally this has meant the use of a loud, gasoline powered generator. Now, UNT has a solar powered generator that will provide clean, sustainable, and quiet energy for UNT events!

Storm Drain Art

In an effort to bring awareness to litter and other pollutants, and its impact on our water resources, UNT We Mean Green Fund has started a competition to create a work of art on our sidewalks that brings attention to our storm drains. UNT Students can submit designs and win a $250 cash prize if their design is chosen for installation at one of the 3 designated locations. Art will be installed for Earth Day 2017!

Sustainable Shirts

The textile industry has profound impact on the environment. In an effort to lessen UNT's footprint, the Student Activities Office earned funding to purchase organic cotton t-shirts to be given away at large events . 

Tailgate Recyling

In 2016 a UNT student led a proposal to create a recycling competition at football tailgates to bring awareness to the importance of recycling and inspire some friendly competition. The competition collected over 230 pounds of recyclables, and awarded the championship trophy and catered tailgate to Phi Kappa Sigma for recycling more than anyone else!

I Bike UNT, Bike Safety

The Bike Safety Committee worked through the We Mean Green Fund Committee to receive funding for their efforts to address bike safety at UNT, and encourage biking to, from, and around UNT. 

I Bike UNT, Bike Theft

With a student idea and a partnership with UNT Police, this We Mean Green Fund proposal aims to prevent theft from occurring at UNT and also provide a tool for recovering bicycles if theft occurs. The initiative launched at EarthFest 2016 when UNT PD engraved over 100 bicycles and those students received an OnGuard Bulldog U-Lock.  

TAMS Green IN Grid Out

This proposal purchased equipment so that students could hook their bike up to a stand and a generator and generate electricity for their phones and laptops.  TAMS then conducted surveys of those students that participated to determine the effect that generating electricity had on their perceptions about energy use and conservation. This equipment is available for other departments. 

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle)

In 2016 the We Mean Green Fund funded the purchase of 3,000 reusable bottles that were distributed at EarthFest.  The bottles help UNT Students keep single-use plastic bottles out of the landfill and keep the oil used to produce these bottles in the ground.

UNT Certified as Bee Campus USA

UNT’s commitment to provide habitat for pollinators and education about their importance to healthy ecosystems has earned UNT the honor of being named the first Bee Campus USA in Texas and the 12th in the nation. Follow UNT We Mean Green on Facebook and Twitter to learn about garden workdays and educational opportunities.