In October, we celebrate the sustainability achievements of our university, engage the campus community on how they can be positive changemakers, and elevate awareness of campus initiatives. Get involved by attending the Campus Sustainability Month Celebration and learning about Clean and Renewable Energy in Maryland.
Upcoming Event
Campus Sustainability Month Celebration
October is Campus Sustainability Month, and the Office of Sustainability is hosting the third annual Campus Sustainability Month Celebration! The event will be at Hornbake Plaza on Thursday, October 23rd, from 1-3 pm.
This year, the Office of Sustainability is partnering with the Department of Resident Life and MICA to focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goal, Partnerships for the Goals, to increase campus sustainability among a variety of different student groups. Celebrate campus sustainability with interactive activities, sweet treats, and the chance to take part in the Green Terp Bucket List while connecting with sustainability organizations.
Student organizations and departments tabling
The Beekeeping Club
Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store
The Office of Sustainability
Community Learning Garden
ENST
Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA)
Audubon Student Chapter at UMD
oSTEM
Residence Hall Association (RHA)
Epsilon Eta
Global Terps for a Greener Future
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Center for Social Value Creation
Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA)
Habitat for Humanity
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Relates Sciences
Bee Campus Committee
Recycling & Solid Waste
Renewable & Clean Energy in Maryland
Higher education institutions like the University of Maryland are critically positioned to further research and implement clean energy technologies. In order to meet the goals of UMD’s Climate Action Plan 3.0, which include maintaining carbon neutrality (met April 2025), transitioning to a fossil fuel‐free energy plant by 2035, and establishing a zero‐emissions fleet by 2035, leveraging renewable energy sources is a crucial part of the equation. Because clean energy is essential for mitigating climate change and advancing a sustainable energy future, the Office of Sustainability is incorporating more clean energy education into its ongoing messaging and outreach to the campus community.
Through social media campaigns, interactive demonstrations, and tabling activities at events like Campus Sustainability Month Celebration, there will be abundant opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to explore clean energy topics and how they contribute to a sustainable future.
Supplying Energy for the State and Campus
Maryland has seen substantial growth in solar, including both utility‐scale solar farms and distributed solar on rooftops. On UMD’s campus there are over 9,000 solar panels, many of which are on garage roofs. Because solar is modular, lower‐cost, and increasingly accessible, it helps bring clean power into more communities.
The state has also approved significant offshore wind development including the Maryland Offshore Wind Project which could generate up to 2,200 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power over 700,000 homes in the Delmarva Peninsula. These wind projects bring new jobs, infrastructure investment, and capacity to supply large-scale clean electricity.
The nuclear plant in Calvert Cliffs MD provides about 40% of Maryland’s electricity generation, and roughly 80% of the state’s clean power. Calvert Cliffs is currently undergoing upgrades to maintain reliability and possibly increase output. Because nuclear power is stable and continuous, it helps balance intermittent sources like solar and wind.
On the research and innovation front, UMD houses several research hubs dedicated to furthering clean energy tech, including the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA), Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEI2), Center for Research in Extreme Batteries. Programs training students in engineering, science, public policy, sustainability, environmental science and other fields prepares them for careers in the growing sector of clean energy.
