University of Minnesota, Duluth
EN-3: Student Life

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CLUB: A club for those interested in activities involving science, environmental issues, and conservation. The club also takes part in planned outdoor recreation events. UMD STUDENT SUSTAINABILITY COALITION We are a student group interested in promoting sustainability in the University and its community. We aim to do this by holding events to educate the people on what sustainability is, how it can be achieved, and why it is so important. We aim to back our opinions and actions with scientific fact, we support logical debate and feel that the responsibility lies with all of us to pass on a world in better shape than when it was passed to us. NET IMPACT: Net Impact is a global nonprofit that supports a new generation of leaders working across sectors to transform the world. We put our values to work for good on campuses, in our doing so, we show the world that it is possible to make a net impact that benefits not just the bottom line, but people and the planet too.

The UMD Sustainable Agriculture Project (or SAP@UMD) formed in 2009 to institute education, research, and regional engagement around community food and agriculture systems in the western Lake Superior bioregion. SAP is a place-based 'land lab' comprised of fifteen acres at UMD's Research and Field Studies Center (formerly the Northeast Agricultural Experimental Station). We manage a five acre trial seedling apple orchard and a ten acre organic (transition) farm; we also work on a variety of food and agriculture projects in the region. SAP@UMD is guided by an interdisciplinary faculty collaborative in its activities, which fall into three areas: building a platform for experiential learning in sustainable agriculture for faculty, students, and community members; as a vehicle for collaborating on food systems change within the University of Minnesota, Duluth; and as a vehicle for bringing resources into the community and region around sustainable agriculture and community food systems. In addition, UMD Edible Landscapes Gardens are grown with organic methods. Edible landscaping can be found throughout campus. These gardens help to diversify the look of our campus as well as provide opportunities for cultivating collaboration across UMD colleges and departments with UMD Facilities Management. https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/campus-initiatives/land-and-water/edible-landscapes/

The University of Minnesota Duluth consists of numerous student groups that include sustainability as part of their organizations commitment. The Student Sustainability Coalition (SSC) promotes sustainability within the campus community and the Duluth community. SSC holds events on and off campus that educate people on what sustainability means and how to achieve sustainability within everyday life. The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) is a non-profit, student funded advocacy organization. This organization focuses on improving the community on state, national, and global issues. Environmental and sustainable issues is a key component that MPIRG advocates. Net Impact, a global nonprofit supports new leaders that are motivated to transform the world. Sustainability issues hold significant value to Net Impact, the organization demonstrates how being sustainable benefits everyone.

UMD Green Revolving Fund was created to invest in sustainable projects on campus. These projects contribute to saving energy and advancing UMD to become a more sustainable campus. The Green Revolving Fund aims to reduce UMD's carbon footprint and help educate the community about sustainability. Any UMD individual can apply for the funding and awards are based on the Green Fund criteria and the needs of the University.

Each year, an annual Sustainability Fairs are hosted with speakers focusing on environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability. Prior themes included energy conservation, sustainable food systems, and reducing the UMD Carbon Footprint. In addition, local vendors and organization table in the Kirby Student Center hallways during the Fairs. The events are also posted on our website, promoted through the student newspaper, and faculty are invited to speak/involve their classes in the Fair. The UMD Sustainability Events page lists all activities (many of these events are also featured on our facebook, home page, twitter, and blog):

The UMD Rec Sports Outdoor Program is dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles and connections to the natural world through personal and professional experiences. From Outdoor Trips, to surf and kite classes, to kayak and aquatics, to climbing, canoeing, and much more, the RSOP invites UMD students to get outdoors and enjoy the great North Woods. The program also rents affordable outdoor equipment to help get students out to explore the great outdoors. (rental info: http://www.umdrsop.org/%28RSOP%20Web%29/Equipment_Rental/)

The GreenHouse is a sustainability focused living-learning community in the UMD residence halls, and is an exciting place to live and learn. Living on the GreenHouse floor is a unique opportunity to live and learn with like-minded people, and the experience students gain looks great on a résumé. On the GreenHouse floor, students have the opportunity to: -Make great friends in a lively and engaged community -Take behind-the-scenes field trips to learn about real-world sustainability in action -Help decide the future of UMD’s sustainability efforts -Help the environment in meaningful ways -Work to create a more sustainable future for UMD and the surrounding community

The Office of Sustainability offers numerous student jobs and internships that allow students to focus on sustainability. Students throughout any academic focus are encouraged to work at the Office of Sustainability. Student "green" employment is also available in custodial (recycling, green cleaning methods)

The Office of Sustainability consists of a variety of programs for students and community members. There are a number of ways you can get involved to help make UMD a greener place. The Bike to Campus Programs encourages students, faculty, and staff to experience the benefits of biking to campus. The program rewards all members of the program to earn prizes and points. Green Office Certification presents offices on campus to take on the challenge of becoming more sustainable. The sustainability office evaluates the offices energy and waste, then the office is given a score. The certification motivates the office to consistently improve its score by reducing their energy and waste. The UMD Energy Pledge inspires students at UMD to help assist UMD in becoming a more sustainable campus. The students pledge, not only helping UMD reduce their carbon footprint but, to reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainability Inspiration Awards- Do you know a student, staff, or faculty member deserving of an award for their sustainable efforts? Nominate them for a Sustainability Inspiration Award! Green Revolving Fund- By funding student, staff, and faculty run projects around UMD, we can all work together to invest in a sustainable future for our campus!