Sustainable Smith
In 1886, Florence Merriam Bailey, a student concerned about the plight of birds, started the Smith College Audubon Society and began weaving the fabric of sustainability at Smith that can now be found across all aspects of the college—in academics, operations, research and student life. Smith prepares women through active learning and societal engagement to foster and lead sustainable, just communities and to make significant and lasting contributions to address the critical issues of the times. Like Florence, students are frequently at the heart of sustainability issues on campus. You’ll find their stories throughout these pages.
Elsewhere—An Arts Afield Community Art Project
This placed-based creative arts project launched in fall 2020 by the Arts Afield group and offered “an opportunity to come together as a community to share our unique experiences in reckoning with these times and our connection to the natural world wherever we find it.” From poetry to film and photography, you're sure to find some inspiration here!
Data is from the college's most recent Association for Higher Education in Sustainability STARS report.
Sustainability News
Applying Psychological Research to Promote Sustainability and Behavior Change on Campus
During the fall 2020 semester, students in Professor Benita Jackson’s PSY 240 Colloquium: Health Promotion class drafted policy memos addressed to President McCartney that proposed sustainable initiatives to address environmental issues on campus.
Smithies in Action: Advocating for the Youth Climate Movement
Four Smithies spent their 2021 interterm working with the Future Coalition, researching tools and policy frameworks that could help fund the climate justice movement.
Smith Cycle - Giving Purpose to Discarded Move Out Items
After seeing the waste produced by students moving out at the end of the year, Emmy Longnecker ’20J, a chemistry major and environmental science and policy minor, was determined to solve the problem. She worked with staff and faculty in CEEDS to create a two-semester special studies to understand the issue and develop a solution. As a result she has created Smith Cycle—the college’s first student-designed, comprehensive move-out waste reduction program.
On Biodiversity: Six Questions for Desiree Narango
The opening lecture for this year’s annual Bulb Show—all online this year—will focus on the connection between plant choice and conservation. Wildlife ecologist Desiree Narango will discuss “The Birds, the Bees, the Flowers and the Trees: Why Native Plants Matter for Wildlife Conservation,” on Thursday, March 4, at 4 p.m.
Building Connections to Nature
How do you take your class on a science field trip when your students are living all over the world? Marney Pratt, a laboratory instructor in biological sciences, came up with a semester-long project designed to help students become skillful observers and feel more connected to the natural world—no matter their location.
Integrating Topics of the Environment, Ecological Design, and Sustainability Across All Disciplines
Each year, the Center for the Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability (CEEDS) invites faculty and faculty teams in any discipline to submit proposals to develop a new course or modify an existing course that will support the Center’s goal of integrating knowledge across disciplines, in support of environmental decisions and action.
Centering Justice in Environmental Issues: A Young Alum's Journey
Advocate for Climate Action
A young policymaker’s guide to fighting climate change.
‘The Life Cycle of Dining’: Reducing Carbon Emissions
For four members of the class of 2020, a senior capstone research project has led to a prestigious award from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Natalie Baillargeon '21 and Storm Lewis '21 receive Honorable Mention for prestigous 2020 Udall Foundation Scholarship
Two Smith College students, Natalie Baillargeon '21 and Storm Lewis '21, were named Honorable Mention recipients for the 2020 Udall Foundation Scholarship.
Students in Sustainability
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