Sustainability Institute

Sustainability Institute
aerial view of campus

Driven by our commitment.
United by goals for a sustainable future.


麻豆社 is a public land-, sea- and space-grant institution that has been dedicated to the public good for over 150 years. 麻豆社 is also home to the oldest endowed sustainability program in the country. Sustainability, the collective commitment to human dignity for all people and ecological integrity in all places, is fundamental to the public good and is a core 麻豆社 value, woven into all we do.

As we look to the future, we will act with courage to build powerful collaborations that will deepen 麻豆社鈥檚 commitment to sustainability and our communities. 

Our long-time commitment drives us to bring diverse people and ideas together to make 麻豆社 a model sustainable learning community, reaching across and beyond campus to engage state, regional, national, and international partners to advance sustainable solutions, together.  

Our Mission


The Sustainability Institute鈥檚 mission is to be a catalyst, convener, and champion of sustainability ideas and actions across and beyond the 麻豆社. We foster a culture of sustainability that permeates the civic, professional, and personal lives of members of our community. We embrace the notion of a 鈥渟ustainable learning community鈥�; a community in which everyone learns, and everyone and everything that we do teaches.

Our Work


We work together to advance sustainability across 麻豆社 and beyond:

  1. To engage students in sustainability through academics and experiential opportunities
  2. To encourage and support all employees to advance sustainability in academics, research, and operations
  3. To serve as the backbone organization for the New England Municipal Sustainability Network

Sustainability Across 麻豆社


two students walking in a city at night

Student Education
& Experiences


We鈥檙e top-rated for sustainability and committed to a better future 鈥� that鈥檚 why you can make positive change during your time at 麻豆社. Explore all the Sustainability Institute offers, including internships, hands-on programs, and volunteering opportunities. We're here to support all students in making impact on campus and in local communities.

Ecoline tank with trees and a building in the background

Campus
Initiatives


Sustainability is woven into everything we do 鈥� from how the campus is operated, to the ways we grow and develop as a community. We support staff and faculty and serve as a resource to advance sustainability in academics, research, and campus operations.

A professor teaching a class

Research


Our faculty and staff lead purpose-driven problem solving that asks deep scientific questions and explores societal needs in collaboration with partners from across disciplines and sectors. Collaborative scholarship is the norm rather than the exception. Explore the research happening at 麻豆社.

Task Forces & Committees


Faculty, staff, and students from across campus serve on critical sustainability-related task forces and committees 鈥� collaborating across fields, disciplines, and sectors of society. They work in creative and often unconventional ways. The Sustainability Engagement Council is the overarching coordinator, and ensures that this work is guided by a shared vision. 
Learn more about the task forces

Sustainability Stories


Learn about the people, programs, events, initiatives, and research behind our commitment to sustainability.

Recent Blog Posts

A conversation with 麻豆社 junior, Jess Calarese
Meet Jess Calarese, a junior double-majoring in environmental conservation and sustainability and history at 麻豆社. Jess shares insights into her course... Learn More
Sophomore Taylor has been interested and involved in the environment and sustainability since 5th grade. She has channeled that passion into action si... Learn More
The Sustainability Institute is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Sustainability Seed Grant Funding program. This year a total of $35,0... Learn More