University of North Texas 
WMGF Programs
Programs
Ongoing featured projects of the We Mean Green Fund
Recently Established Projects
The Unifying UNT Waste Signage Project was proposed by undergraduate Geography majors in Spring 2024 and approved by our partners, the City of Denton Environmental Services & Sustainability and UNT Facilities. This project unified a majority of the signage on trash and recycle bins in UNT’s academic buildings to educate the UNT community on proper waste disposal and reduce the waste and recycling contamination on campus.
The “Radical Entanglements: Navigating the Abyss of Human Supremacy and Biodiversity Loss” Philosophy and Religion graduate conference Art Exhibition Opening was proposed by Philosophy PHD candidates in Spring 2024. This exhibition helps breifge the gap between arts and humanities in environmental topics relating to education and activism and invites the audience to critically analyze how we think of the climate crisis in human-centric ways.
The AWARE – A Lighting Installation on Sustainability Project was proposed by Interior Design faculty from the College of Visual Arts & Design in Spring 2024. This project encourages students to use sustainable materials & practices in lighting their current and future interior design projects and welcomes in a new cohort of sustainably-minded interior designers.
The Native Bee Support Initiative was proposed by 3 passionate students who were inspired by the previous Campus Bee Box (2023-2024) project. This project aimed to expand the Campus bee box project to other locations on campus, with a focus around the environmental sciences building. The project included native plantings around campus, bee box construction, and research into the viability of boxes on campus.
The Pond Project was proposed by geography and ecology students in Fall 2023. During this installment of the Pecan Creek Pollinative Prairie, students grew aquatic plants in the ecology greenhouse that were then planted in the pond at Discovery Park by the Prairie. The installation of the pond increased the biodiversity of the already native prairie by adding aquatic plants.
Upcoming Projects
The Discovery Park Black Vulture Camera Project was proposed by UNT Bird Campus Committee Officers in Spring 2024. This project saught funding to monitor a pair of mating Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) that have used this nesting site since at least 2012. The funding was used to purchase a camera with live-feed capabilities and signage explaining the benefits and ecosystem services that Black Vulture provide. Bird Campus Committee received dual funding from [Autibon Society] in addition to the WMGF funds.
The Mean Green Campus Yard Sale project was proposed by University Brand Strategy and Communications staff in Spring 2024. This project allows UNT community members to sell or donate their belongings to allow the re-use of furniture, appliances, and clothing rather than just throwing them away in order to reduce the waste that campus produces during move-outs before summer break.
The Green Lighting Lab East Project was proposed by College of Music staff in Spring 2024. This project seeks to upgrade the lighting and fixtures in Lab East, a classroom & practice space for the College of Music, from halogen lightbulbs to LED lightbulbs, a more energy efficient alternative, to provide dozens of students with a brighter, safer, and more sustainable space.
As a collaboration between the We Mean Green Fund, UNT Facilities, and the UNT Housing Department, The Crumley Community Garden was proposed in Spring of 2024. This project involved relocating the community garden from Legends Hall to Crumley hall. The move incorporated adding an additional 10 plots as well as being in a location that was more accessible to all students. Find the garden opening in March 2025!
The UNT Hydroponic Garden at Crumley Hall was proposed in spring 2024 by a student who was passionate about food security on campus. This project’s goal was to build a shed at the UNT Community Garden at Crumley Hall with hydroponic towers that would ultimately triple the garden’s yield once it is in full operation.
The Zero Waste Textile Initiative was started as a pilot program out of the College of Merchandising, Hospitality, and Tourism. In the Fall of 2024- three students who were involved in the initiative, along with their advisor, came together to propose to the We Mean Green Fund to help expand their project and increase it’s long-term sustainability.
The We Mean Green Fund is proud to support campus environmental improvement projects proposed by UNT students, faculty, and staff!
Interested in starting your own campus sustainability initiative like these? Fund your project!