The Office of Sustainability aims to run these events annually and are in addition to the larger March for Sustainability event series. More detail about events are released on Instagram and in our monthly newsletter.
Fall GoByBike Week 2026 (September 19-25)
Fall GoByBike Week is meant to connect cyclists, encourage people to try biking, learn more about cycling resources and promote bike safety.
This year we have prizes, events, and a bike giveaway!
Thank you to GoByBikeBC Society and the Province of British Columbia for supporting UFV's GoByBike Week.
Events - Click on the title below to register
Bike to Banter - September 21, 2026
12-1pm
For this lunch hour group ride we will start at UFV, bike to downtown Abbotsford, and back, learning local routes through bike lanes and bike friendly streets. Oh, and did we mention that we will stop at Banter AND each participant will get a free scoop of icecream while we are there!
Bike and biking experience required.
Active Transportation Hub Grand Opening - September 22, 2026
12-1pm
Come check out UFV’s new Active Transportation Hub! This drop in event lets you learn about the space and access biking resources. There will be a bike mechanic offering free tune ups, and free refreshments are provided. No bike required to participate!
Wellness Wednesday Spin Class - September 23, 2026
6-7pm
Not sure you’re ready to hit the road? Why not try out some spin classes with UFV’s Campus Recreation and Athletics department to get those biking muscles in shape!
The Wellness Wednesday Spin Class is an opportunity for students to get active, challenge themselves, and experience an energizing group fitness class in a fun and supportive environment. Led by a certified instructor, participants will enjoy a beginner-friendly indoor cycling workout while connecting with fellow students and learning about Campus Recreation fitness opportunities.
Hosted early in the semester, the class provides a great opportunity for students to build new friendships, support their well-being, and help us get a sense of how popular a Spin class on campus could be.
Prizes
Students and staff who log a bike ride between September 19-25th will be entered to win 1 of 3 Bookstore gift cards. Make sure that you are ready by registering on GoByBikeBC.ca and add yourself to Team UFV!
You DON'T have to ride to a UFV campus in order to participate. #AnyRideCounts Even splitting up a bus or car ride by biking partway counts!
Ride to work.
Ride to school.
Ride to the store.
Ride to clear your mind.
Ride for your health.
Ride for fresh air.
Ride for the planet.
Bike Giveaway
Deadline to apply September 24th-Form to Apply coming soon
UFV students, we have previously loved bikes to give away!
If buying a bike has been a barrier to starting biking, this will be a fantastic opportunity for you. They are completely free!
From now until September 24th, fill out the form to express your interest. We will be drawing names if we have more people interested than there are bikes. Please only apply if you do not already own a bike.
These bikes have been tuned up by a local mechanic and are ready to ride. There are varying styles and some may have some signs of wear and tear as these bikes have been left behind by past students. Each student must sign a waiver to receive a bike.
Campus Ecochallenge
The Drawdown Campus Ecochallenge is a customizable, solutions-oriented engagement program focused on lessening our impact on the earth.
UFV’s Office of Sustainability created a team to challenge UFV students & employees to create sustainable daily habits. With categories such as food, water, waste, nature, community, and more, the actions are designed to help build habits that are good for participants, their community, and the environment.
Ecochallenge impact
The activities undertaken during the Ecochallenge at UFV are estimated to have:
- reduced CO2 emission by 576 pounds,
- saved 5757 gallons of water were saved
- redirected 44 plastic containers, 159 plastic bottles and 28 plastic straws from the landfill, as well as avoided an additional 91 disposable cups. We also saved 1.5 pounds of paper,
- got people outdoors for 4117 minutes
- spent 4510 minutes out of the glare of a computer screen,
- and successfully engaged people in sustainability topics
Plastic-free July
Plastic Free July is a global initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation that began in 2011. Every July, citizens, businesses and governments come together in their efforts to create a social change movement in taking action to reduce plastic waste worldwide.
The solutions that come from this annual initiative inspire change for people and businesses not only for the month of July, but every day. It’s important to remember that these changes can start small, and work towards something bigger!
Each week of July the Office of Sustainability shared tips and ideas for easily incorporating some plastic-free habits into everyday life to help UFV members get inspired. Those were then compiled into a digital guide on some easy plastic-free sustainable swaps that help make in different areas of life including laundry, kitchen, hygiene, and cleaning.
Sustainable holiday market
Our holiday market offers a sustainable shopping alternative that supports local small businesses, vendors, and artists while allowing students, employees, and community members to get ahead on their holiday shopping! From handcrafted goods to locally sourced treasures, discover unique gifts that reflect our values and support our community.
The market features a festive atmosphere filled with live music, and the warmth of community spirit. There is also a sustainable gift-wrapping station to spark creativity and reduce the environmental impact of your gifts. Together, let’s shop with purpose and spread joy!
Sustainable wrapping event
To encourage more environmentally-minded wrapping practices, the Office of Sustainability hosted a workshop for attendees to learn and practice more sustainable options. Participants were encouraged to bring in old t-shirts, tea towels, tote bags, and scarves and were shown how to wrap gifts using the Japanese wrapping technique called Furoshiki. Participants also learned how to sew gift bags that can be reused each season and were provided fresh greenery, pinecones, and dehydrated oranges to create nature-based gift wrap décor.
The following events were run in the past, let the Office of Sustainability know if there are any events you miss or that you would like to see!
UFV Sweater Week
To raise awareness about energy consumption and climate change, UFV reduced temperatures by 2°C campus-wide for one week. Instead of burning our usual amount of natural gas, we reduced temperatures and bundled up in sweaters for the week. We were able to conserve energy and have a little fun along the way with Sweater Week! The Office of Sustainability posted daily sweater themes along with educational energy-saving tips, and interactive surveys for how we can each make a difference individually. By reducing the temperature, heating equipment malfunctions were identified and corrected to reduce energy consumption and prolong the life of the equipment.
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
Aimed at addressing and combating food insecurity for UFV students while also teaching valuable, life-long skills through gardening, the Planting Seeds for Tomorrow project provided free sustainable at-home garden kits and video tutorials to allow participants to learn how to grow food at home. Further, most of the supplies were upcycled items which reduced the amount of waste produced and thrown away.