Volunteering with the SSC
Get involved with the SSC! We offer many opportunities to participate with all our student-led initiatives, from one-time volunteer events to our term- or year-long leadership development program. Volunteer opportunities can range from working at the Produce Drops, getting your hands dirty at the Grove Garden, attending work parties on the river with our Habitat Restoration team, to facilitating activities that help reduce climate anxiety. Sign up for our newsletter, follow our Instagram (@uo_ssc), or check out our events calendar below for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
SSC Leadership and Engagement Program
Students who want to get involved with the SSC also have the option to become a part of the SSC’s Leadership and Engagement Program. Students who participate will join one of the SSC’s program teams throughout the term and work with a group of other students who are interested in the same topic. The LEP is accepting volunteers for this term and academic year! Fill out our volunteer interest form to be notified about our upcoming LEP orientations.
April 2025
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Special Tuesday hours: Enjoy free admission in honor of Earth Day.
On Earth Day, we celebrate Earth’s ecosystems, honor the achievements of the environmental movement and recognize the importance of ongoing stewardship. Join us for an afternoon of special Walk & Talks!
Stop by the museum store and pick up a signed copy of MNCH executive director, Dr. Todd Braje’s book, Understanding Imperiled Earth, or one of our many other Earth-friendly gifts!
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Join the SSC's Climate Anxiety & Habitat Restoration programs for Forest Bathing by the Willamette River! Celebrate Earth Day with some grounding exercises, mindfulness, and meaningful conversations about our gratitude for the land beneath our feet. Meet us at the SSC office at 2:00 PM on 4/23/2025! We will be walking to and from the river together, and we will end our event at the SSC's Sustainafest so you can explore other sustainable organizations on campus! All are welcome to join - we hope to see you there!
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Come Volunteer at UO's only student-led community garden. Nearly every Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Grove Community Garden (1801 Moss St - a block south of Global Scholars Hall).
Work parties are when we come together to collectively care for the space. We have 22 raised beds that are managed by the overall community to produce food (mainly vegetables) for the student food pantry, the SSC Produce Drop, and of course (and often primarily) those who come each week to volunteer. So, a typical work party may include harvesting food, weeding beds, sowing seeds / transplanting starts, chipping a wood path, etc. There is no signup ahead of time, the only prep beforehand is dressing for the weather / in clothes you don't mind some dirt/sweat on. Sign up for our newsletter for weekly reminders and updates, and follow us on Instagram too!
Feel free to email grovegarden@uoregon.edu with any questions or inquires.
3:00–4:30 p.m.
Did you know that an average game at Autzen stadium produces 22-27 tons of trash? With the Spring Game coming up, we know that not all of this trash is likely to end up in the bin. Join us for an afternoon devoted to appreciating our local ecosystems and giving back to the Eugene community by picking up trash along the Willamette River. This event is a great way to build community and explore the outdoors while making a positive contribution to riparian habitat health! We will be meeting on the oval lawn on the Southern (campus) side of the Frohnmayer Bridge. Our meeting location is tagged on Google Maps! If you enter “Willamette River Natural Area” into Google Maps it can provide detailed walking, public transportation, or biking directions!
May 2025
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Come Volunteer at UO's only student-led community garden. Nearly every Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Grove Community Garden (1801 Moss St - a block south of Global Scholars Hall).
Work parties are when we come together to collectively care for the space. We have 22 raised beds that are managed by the overall community to produce food (mainly vegetables) for the student food pantry, the SSC Produce Drop, and of course (and often primarily) those who come each week to volunteer. So, a typical work party may include harvesting food, weeding beds, sowing seeds / transplanting starts, chipping a wood path, etc. There is no signup ahead of time, the only prep beforehand is dressing for the weather / in clothes you don't mind some dirt/sweat on. Sign up for our newsletter for weekly reminders and updates, and follow us on Instagram too!
Feel free to email grovegarden@uoregon.edu with any questions or inquires.
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Looking for a way to blow off some steam during mid terms? Join The UO Student Sustainability Center and UO Natural Areas Program for their last restoration work party of the term and help restore the Willamette River Natural Area!
We will meet at 10AM, on May 10th, at the south side of the Frohnmayer Bridge and work until 1PM.
We will provide snacks and a water station, as well as all the tools, safety gear, and materials needed to manage the restorative efforts. Anyone is welcome to join us! No experience is needed. We’re happy to invite enthusiastic volunteers willing to help and are always excited to see the impact of our collaborative restoration efforts.
Remember! Come prepared with close-toed shoes, water bottles, and weather appropriate clothing.
We hope to see you there!
For more information on the UO's Natural Areas Program, you can visit: https://cpfm.uoregon.edu/willamette-river-natural-area
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Come Volunteer at UO's only student-led community garden. Nearly every Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Grove Community Garden (1801 Moss St - a block south of Global Scholars Hall).
Work parties are when we come together to collectively care for the space. We have 22 raised beds that are managed by the overall community to produce food (mainly vegetables) for the student food pantry, the SSC Produce Drop, and of course (and often primarily) those who come each week to volunteer. So, a typical work party may include harvesting food, weeding beds, sowing seeds / transplanting starts, chipping a wood path, etc. There is no signup ahead of time, the only prep beforehand is dressing for the weather / in clothes you don't mind some dirt/sweat on. Sign up for our newsletter for weekly reminders and updates, and follow us on Instagram too!
Feel free to email grovegarden@uoregon.edu with any questions or inquires.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join the Student Sustainability Center (SSC) for the second annual Environmental Justice Retreat! We will meet for our daylong retreat at the Tyee Campground near the Umpqua River. Food will be provided, as well as transportation (with limited availability). The retreat will feature a workshop guest facilitated by El Navarro, an organizer with Mosquito Fleet PDX. Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/Uyg1SGjWyq
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Come Volunteer at UO's only student-led community garden. Nearly every Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Grove Community Garden (1801 Moss St - a block south of Global Scholars Hall).
Work parties are when we come together to collectively care for the space. We have 22 raised beds that are managed by the overall community to produce food (mainly vegetables) for the student food pantry, the SSC Produce Drop, and of course (and often primarily) those who come each week to volunteer. So, a typical work party may include harvesting food, weeding beds, sowing seeds / transplanting starts, chipping a wood path, etc. There is no signup ahead of time, the only prep beforehand is dressing for the weather / in clothes you don't mind some dirt/sweat on. Sign up for our newsletter for weekly reminders and updates, and follow us on Instagram too!
Feel free to email grovegarden@uoregon.edu with any questions or inquires.
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Come Volunteer at UO's only student-led community garden. Nearly every Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Grove Community Garden (1801 Moss St - a block south of Global Scholars Hall).
Work parties are when we come together to collectively care for the space. We have 22 raised beds that are managed by the overall community to produce food (mainly vegetables) for the student food pantry, the SSC Produce Drop, and of course (and often primarily) those who come each week to volunteer. So, a typical work party may include harvesting food, weeding beds, sowing seeds / transplanting starts, chipping a wood path, etc. There is no signup ahead of time, the only prep beforehand is dressing for the weather / in clothes you don't mind some dirt/sweat on. Sign up for our newsletter for weekly reminders and updates, and follow us on Instagram too!
Feel free to email grovegarden@uoregon.edu with any questions or inquires.