��ʤ������

1997 | The beginning of a university-wide effort

Thanks to a transformational gift from NH farmer and ��ʤ������ alumnus, Oliver Hubbard, ��ʤ������ hired Sustainability Director, Tom Kelly to lead a university-wide commitment to advance sustainability across the “CORE”—Curriculum, Operations, Research and Engagement. Launching what is now one of the oldest endowed sustainability programs in the country, ��ʤ������ embraced a comprehensive definition and practice of sustainability, to include the interconnectedness of culture, food systems climate and biodiversity across the CORE. "With sustainability, we don't isolate problems. We put them in the context of a whole set of relations and focus on what connects them." - Tom Kelly

1998 | Creating a culture of sustainable transportation

The Sustainability Institute convenes campus, town, and regional officials to develop a transportation demand management strategy. This changed the entire transportation culture of ��ʤ������ to one that's more sustainable – focusing on mass transit, reinforcing ‘the walking campus’, advocating for the , and developing other infrastructure initiatives like the EcoCat transit fleet. EcoCat has begun its next step forward to cleaner transit with new USDOT funding Award in 2022.

2000 | Tracking our emissions and impact, and bringing resources to other campuses

��ʤ������ was the first higher education institution to undertake a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory through a partnership with Clean Air/Cool Planet with the aim to develop a tool to inventory GHG on a campus scale. This initiative has evolved into the development of ��ʤ������’s SIMAP tool, the only tool available that tracks both carbon and nitrogen footprints and is used by hundreds of campuses across the country and by ��ʤ������'s Carbon Clinic, helping to train the next generation of changemakers.

2001 | “What sustains us?” becomes a guidepost

��ʤ������ hosted key events which helped flip the traditional question, “what is sustainability?” which results in a narrow ecological vision, to a of “what sustains us?”, which is inclusive of the cultural, international, spiritual and future generational dimensions of sustainability. The first of four “” convenings brought people from all over the country together to explore food systems, including public health as interrelated, to gain a better understanding of common values, problems and solutions. The “Four Hands, One Heart” documentary premiered on campus, celebrating the Scheiers, renowned ceramic artists and former ��ʤ������ faculty.

2003 | Furthering our mission to the public good

Since the 2003 pilot to bring local apples and cider to the state’s K-12 schools, NH Farm to School () has been working to establish farm-to-school connections within communities across NH. Coordinated by ��ʤ������’s Sustainability Institute, NHFTS helps to fulfill ��ʤ������’s mission to contribute to the public good. NHFTS continues today with other procurement efforts, establishes school gardens, and works to establish new farm-to-school connections with growers and schools in other parts of the state.

2005 | Investing in local, organic agriculture and sustainable food systems

To bring awareness of the benefits of supporting local economies and maintaining the vibrant agricultural tradition in the state, the Local Harvest Dinner was in partnership with ��ʤ������ Dining, local producers and the Office of Sustainability (now the Sustainability Institute) and this tradition continues today! ��ʤ������ Dining has expanded its local offerings and initiatives and is committed to supporting the culture of sustainability at ��ʤ������.

2005 | Innovating to support local agriculture for a sustainable state

Through the collaborative effort of the Sustainability Institute and faculty, staff, and regional practitioners, ��ʤ������ was the first land-grant university to an . At the time, ��ʤ������ College of Life Sciences and Agriculture’s dean William Trumble noted, “��ʤ������ has a remarkable opportunity to provide much-needed research and education to organic dairy farmers, present and future, while helping to secure the future of the northeast region’s farming heritage and rural communities”. In 2008, ��ʤ������ researchers received a to study the farm as a sustainable closed agro-ecosystem, exploring viable strategies for becoming energy independent.

2006 | Committing to energy efficiency and fiscal responsibility

��ʤ������'s combined heat and power facility - or cogeneration plant (COGEN) came online. The primary source of heat and electricity for the five-million square foot Durham campus, COGEN retains waste heat normally lost during the production of electricity. Instead, it uses this energy to heat buildings, in turn reducing sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions. The installation of the COGEN plant resulted in an estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 21% in Academic Year (AY) 2006 compared to AY 2005. In 2007, ��ʤ������ the Presidents’ Climate Commitment for long-term carbon reductions.

2008 | Infusing sustainable food systems into curriculum and experiential learning

Expanding our commitment to academic principles, including applying intellectual resources to today's issues and helping students to develop the critical thinking and transdisciplinary knowledge they will need in their professional and civil lives, the EcoGastronomy dual major launched to bring students into the field, the kitchen, and the lab to study the complexities of sustainable food systems. In 2010, the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture launched the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems major. Today, experiential learning and engaged scholarship is part of ��ʤ������’s strategic priority to enhance student success and well-being.

2009 | Collectively reflecting on our model of a sustainable learning community

More than 10 years into the deliberate efforts of the sustainable learning community, 60 ��ʤ������ authors co-publish “”. Authors describe the ten-year transformation, and reflect on outcomes and the impacts across time, sectors and issue areas - bringing the “CORE” to life.

2009 | Partnering for a unique solution to lower emissions

��ʤ������ invested in a unique  (WM) of ��ʤ������, Inc. to build ECOLine, a 12.7 mile pipeline which brings enriched and purified gas from WM’s Rochester landfill to campus. This helps prevent emissions of methane from the landfill. We were the first university in the country to use landfill gas as its primary fuel source and undertake a project of this magnitude. ECOLine has been an integral part of ��ʤ������’s aggressive climate action plan (WildCAP), which outlines how ��ʤ������ will lower its emissions to basically zero and secure its leadership position in climate protection as part of its broader sustainability commitment. 

2011 | Convening facilitative leadership for a different future

Food Solutions New England () was launched by the Sustainability Institute with the inaugural New England Food Summit in response to a greater need for connectivity, transdisciplinary convening and facilitative leadership across the breadth of regional food system efforts and innovations. In 2013, FSNE formally placed racial equity at the center of the work. Today, FSNE works to develop alignment around and strategies to achieve a long-term vision for the food system in New England built upon shared values of racial equity and dignity for all, democratic empowerment, sustainability and trust.

2011 | Bright STARS: our successes measured, reported and rated Gold

In 2008, ��ʤ������ became a Charter Institute in the new program – a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Following through on our sustainability commitment, we reported our efforts in 2011 and earned our first rating of Gold. Since then, we have reported 3 additional times, evolving to a Platinum rating in 2017 – one of only three schools in the country to do so at that time. Today, we maintain Platinum rating and our national leadership through our reported practices under STARS 2.2, which reflects evolving sustainability best practices and stringent criteria.

2012 | Establishing a legacy of sustainability research and teaching

Josephine A. Lamprey, benefactor of sustainability programs at ��ʤ������, made a gift to the Sustainability Institute to establish The Josephine A. Lamprey Professorship in Climate and Sustainability, held by research associate professor Cameron Wake. The professorship advances work on climate and energy issues that interconnect with biodiversity and ecosystems, food systems and culture. Wake collaborates with a wide range of partners at ��ʤ������ and across New England to help build climate resilient communities, educate the next generation of sustainability leaders, and strengthen networks that connect sustainability professionals. 

2013 | Advancing racial equity through research and collaboration

Durham philanthropist, Thomas W. Haas, provided a gift to the Sustainability Institute to establish the Professorship of Sustainable Food Systems to advance sustainable agriculture, food choices, nutrition and economic and social well-being on and off campus. Today, Haas Professor Karen A. Spiller deepens ��ʤ������’s participation in the transdisciplinary work of Food Solutions New England, and in particular, its racial equity work, develops new and strengthens existing relationships and collaborations and shares her expertise and unique practitioner perspectives – making a direct impact on ��ʤ������ faculty, staff, students and the broader community.

2013 | Building a statewide food system network and shared goals

Coordinated by ��ʤ������’s Sustainability Institute, NH Food Alliance () launched to address the fragmentation of our state’s food system, convening people from across NH to design a food system network structure and process for identifying shared goals and strategies. Today, NHFA serves as a statewide network that connects the people, businesses, organizations and communities dedicated to growing a thriving, fair and sustainable local food system. The network builds relationships, learns from each other, and catalyzes collaboration to advance common goals, respond creatively to challenges and amplify our collective impact. 

2014 | Developing a sustainable food vision for our region

The Food Solutions New England network published based on a three-year collaborative process with the network and led by a team of researchers, writers and reviewers. A bold vision that calls for our region to build the capacity to produce at least 50% of our food by 2060 while supporting healthy food for all, sustainable farming and fishing and thriving communities. Businesses, government agencies, organizations, community groups and people around the region have been inspired by the Vision to orient their work with our shared regional goals and values.

2015 | Establishing sustainability context for all undergraduates

One of the only dual majors of its’ kind in the country, the sustainability dual major (SDM) is designed to be transdisciplinary. The SDM launched to take the sprawling concept of sustainability and create a curricular program that any student in any major could see their field in a sustainability context, make connections and learn in a cohort of students from across campus.

2015 | Building effective racial equity habits

Inspired by the work of Dr. Eddie Moore, Debby Irving and Dr. Marguerite Pennick-Parks, Food Solutions New England adapted the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge with a food system lens. FSNE has been organizing and hosting the Challenge every year since. Starting with a couple of hundred regional participants, it has grown to more than 9,000 participants, nationally and internationally in 2020. Today, many organizations and ��ʤ������ adapts the Challenge, dedicating time and space to build more effective social justice habits.

2019 | Training the next generation of sustainability leaders

������’s&�Բ�����;Changemaker Collaborative joined the Sustainability Institute to create an integrated platform to help students contribute to society’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Founded in 2015 as a joint venture of Paul College of Business and Economics and the Carsey School of Public Policy, the Collaborative supports the next generation of skilled, courageous and confident leaders through real-world experiences and the tools of public policy and business, while helping community partners advance their sustainability initiatives.

2021 | Critical input and guidance from a diverse group

The Sustainability Advisory Board joined the other established Advisory Boards of ��ʤ������ organized around the Colleges and key strategic areas of focus. The board provides critical input and guidance on ��ʤ������’s sustainability efforts, particularly as it relates to our bold plans for continued leadership in sustainability in higher education. The unique cross-cutting aspect of sustainability defies traditional boundaries or silos and requires bringing together a diversity of expertise across sectors and fields. The SAB is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers – alumni, parents, students and friends – who share a passion for ��ʤ������ and sustainability.

2022 | Celebrating 25 years of sustainability at ��ʤ������

Join us to help shape the next 25. 

There are opportunities for faculty, staff, students and alumni to engage with us. Let’s create a sustainable future together.