We’re hiring Sustainability Outreach Interns for the ’25/26 academic year! Formerly known as EcoCaptains, SOI’s act as sustainability ambassadors at every residence hall at the Storrs campus. If you’re living on campus, have 5 hours a week free in your schedule, and care about making the planet a better place, this is the paid job for you.
For full details and application, please visit: https://uconn.12twenty.com/job-postings/35006704393330
Nearly all higher education institutions in the Northeast have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, and most have an Office of Sustainability. While each university has its own unique challenges in pursuing environmental progress, many of these offices face similar issues – How do we get students prepared for green careers? What’s the most efficient way to run a move-out donation program?
That’s where the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC) comes in! The NECSC was established in 2004 to support sustainability officers in advancing progress on university campuses in the northeast and Canadian maritime region. The NECSC is an informal group, but commits to hosting an annual meeting to provide members close networking opportunities, professional development and access to the area’s vibrant sustainability practitioner community. Hosts of the annual gathering are leaders of sustainability in the region.
Following 2024’s annual summit at Southern New Hampshire University, UConn and Connecticut College agreed to co-host the event for 2025. The NECSC conference is also an opportunity to highlight the hosts’ sustainability progress and leadership regionally. UConn’s Avery Point Campus was the perfect location – not only is it a gorgeous waterfront campus, it also plays an outsize role in environmental progress for Connecticut.
In 2021, Avery Point upgraded 121 of their outdoor light fixtures with LED lights which saved 25 tons of carbon dioxide over the course of a year. The Student Center secured LEED Silver Certification in recognition of its energy efficiency in 2023. Avery Point is also home to the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) and Connecticut Sea Grant which act as research hubs for climate resilience, coastal ecosystems, and aquaculture within Long Island Sound. Faculty and students are collaborating with Eversource and Orsted on a $1.25m grant to understand the impact of offshore wind projects on marine habitats, including project Starboard Wind. EcoHusky is the student-run organization that organizes yearly sustainability events for faculty and students including the Earth Day Event, supported by the Office of Sustainability in 2025. EcoHusky was also a part of securing an Environmental and Sustainability Small Grant from the Office of Sustainability in 2022 to install a solar panel and wind turbine on the sailing shed to provide independent, renewable-energy sources for campus buildings. In December of 2024, UConn entered a historical memorandum with CT’s five recognized tribes to establish Avery Point as a Native-American Serving, Nontribal Intuition (NASNTI) to reach at least 10% Native American enrollment and supporting tribal education through academics and community engagement.
Nearly 100 higher education sustainability staff and faculty members attended the NECSC summit, held June 9-11, 2025. Ranging from Maryland to Maine, attendees hailed from Ivies, state universities and private liberal arts schools. The event kicked off with a keynote address by Dr. Annemarie Seifert, Dean of UConn Avery Point, and was followed by engaging sessions on creating circular economies on campus, geothermal buildings, decarbonization communications and more.
Leaders of higher ed’s preeminent sustainability networks provided global perspectives on shifting political landscapes for sustainability. Megan Fay Zahniser, Executive Director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and Tim Carter, President of Second Nature, urged attendees to work together and with their home communities to push for continued environmental progress.
Throughout the event, UConn Dining provided excellent food and low-waste catering. Mike White, Executive Director of UConn Dining Services, spoke about their team’s dedication to reducing food waste, using local and organic produce, and UConn’s partnership with Quantum Biopower which converts food scraps into energy. All attendees enjoyed menus featuring cheese from local farms like Cato Corner in Colchester, and greens from Full Moon Farm in Hampton.
The NECSC summit concluded with a marine biology excursion on Long Island Sound. Project Oceanology, a nonprofit marine education and research facility, took guests out on a ship to catch, record, and measure sea life from the sound. They also took the crew up the Thames River for a closer look at the offshore wind assembly pier.
“It is always uplifting to network, share stories, insights, and best practices as we work to collectively make a larger impact on the planet and in the lives of students,” shares Patrick McKee, Director of the UConn Office of Sustainability. “It was a pleasure co-hosting the NECSC Summit at UConn Avery Point, and we look forward to visiting Rutgers in 2026.”
To learn more about NECSC and join the mailing list, click here.
Seven projects will increase environmental and social sustainability at UConn
UConn, consistently one of the top ten most sustainable universities in the United States, will be getting even better at upholding sustainable practices with the help of seven student-led projects this year.
These innovative projects are funded by the Environmental and Social Sustainability Grants (ESSG) Program through the Office of Sustainability. Creative student-faculty teams applied for funding to support campus programs that enhance environmental and social sustainability while engaging students and community members. Applicants shared ideas spanning education, research, authentic community engagement, and campus operations. This is the fourth round of ESSG funding since 2021, which has helped launch the Swap Shop (now Thrift Den), a composting privy at Spring Valley Student Farm, and efforts to combat food insecurity via hydroponic farming.
“The ESSG program is just one of the Office of Sustainability’s growing suite of experiential learning programs available to all UConn students. In alignment with UConn’s strategic goals, we are excited to be able to award these funds to empower students to take action on addressing real-world challenges that impact the wellness of people and the planet. Faculty and staff mentors play an instrumental role in ensuring the success of these projects and we’re also incredibly grateful for their support,” said Patrick McKee, Director of the Office of Sustainability.
Seven projects were awarded funds due to their interdisciplinary nature and ability to advance sustainability and equity.
Harnessing Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a key piece in fertilizing crops and producing food. This project aims to explore sustainable, easy ways of getting phosphorus out of wastewater to make it easier, cheaper, and less climate-intensive for farmers to grow food in underprivileged areas.
The Grove of Generosity: Sustainable Food Forest for Students
A food forest to create community for people, plants and wildlife on the Storrs campus. Using native plants, this project will provide habitat, food for all, and space to make connections between people and nature.
Sustainability Practicum: Designing a UConn Hartford Service-Learning Course
This project will create materials for a UConn Hartford geography service-learning course titled “Sustainability Practicum,” designed to develop student leaders of environmental & social sustainability in collaboration with & in service of Keney Park Sustainability Project, a nonprofit developing sustainable community-based food systems in urban North Hartford.
Project Racoon
Project Raccoon is a student-led initiative that collects redeemable bottles and cans to reduce waste, increase recycling, and fund student scholarships. With this grant, we will expand to over 50+ bins and engage more volunteers.
Seeds2Sustain: Hartford & Stamford Campuses
Seeds2Sustain is a program designed to help students address food insecurity on a personal level by using hydroponics. Over 9 weeks, students are taught about the evolution of food production, food insecurity, hydroponics, nutrition, cooking and more to gain a solid foundation of knowledge.
Disasters in Society: Working Towards Resilient & Sustainable Futures through Experiential Learning & Service
Our project captures Asheville’s recovery from Hurricane Helene, highlighting student engagement and hands-on learning in disaster resilience. Through storytelling and service, we aim to expand access to fieldwork and promote support for sustainability-focused education.
Sustainable Dairy Wastewater Treatment Using Microalgae at UConn
This project addresses the challenge of dairy wastewater from the UConn barns, which can be a significant source of pollution if not properly managed. By using microalgae to treat wastewater, we can convert it into a sustainable biomass that can be used as poultry feed. This approach not only helps clean and recycle wastewater but also aligns with circular bioeconomy principles, turning waste into valuable resources. This initiative advances UConn’s environmental goals and contributes to a more sustainable campus ecosystem.
Over $37,000 will be awarded in total to support these student-lead projects.
Thomas Bonitz, a grantee pursuing a Ph.D. in Geography says, “As an aspiring educator, I am thrilled to work on designing a “sustainability practicum” course for the UConn Hartford campus. There is obvious educational and community value getting students out of the traditional classroom setting to learn from and contribute to real-world efforts to practice sustainability.” His project exemplifies UConn’s dedication to promoting student success and providing service to Connecticut communities.
“I look forward to moving onto the next stage for my Harnessing Phosphorus project and being able to work with more resources. I’ve been working on this project independently since my first semester at UConn, so receiving this grant and finding support from new mentors is a reminder of how far I’ve come. It’s great to see the University also believes in my project’s potential,” shares Brenny Alcantara ’27 (CLAS) who will be working on ways to make fertilizer more accessible, less likely to cause algae blooms, and decrease the carbon footprint of a critical agricultural ingredient.
Students will present their project findings and impacts this fall at the Climate Change Cafe poster symposium in December.
For more details on the Environmental and Social Sustainability Small Grants Program, please visit: https://sustainability.uconn.edu/environmental-social-sustainability-small-grants-program/
If you’re inspired by these students and their positive impact, please donate to the Campus Sustainability Fund to support future grantees.
At the May 19, 2025 unveiling of Casella’s upgraded recycling processing facility in Willimantic, CT, a generous donation of $10,000 was made to UConn’s Office of Sustainability in order to support a graduate fellowship focused on zero waste efforts. The Zero Waste Program Coordinator will play a key role in advancing UConn’s Zero Waste efforts. The coordinator will work closely with students, faculty, staff, and sustainability partners to implement strategies that reduce waste and promote circular economy principles across campus. They will also provide first-level leadership over the Thrift Den (UConn’s free store) and the Thrift Den Interns.
Casella processes UConn Storrs’ recyclables, and their updated facility will now be able to double the amount of cans, paper, and glass recycled in a year! In addition to the upgraded sorting machinery, Casella also partnered with Eversource to enhance the facility’s electrical efficiency and minimize its energy usage.
Thank you Casella for supporting zero waste efforts at UConn!
The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC) Summit will be held the evening of Monday, June 9, 2025 through the afternoon of Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at the UConn Avery Point Campus. The co-hosts are Connecticut College and the University of Connecticut.
The NECSC Summit is known for being an inclusive, fun, and informative gathering of sustainability professionals representing higher education institutions across the Northeast, Southeast Canada and the upper mid-Atlantic.
Topics of discussion include the current political sustainability landscape, student engagement and career development, decarbonization, and more. To see the most up-to-date information and registration information, click here.
The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC) was established in October 2004 to support sustainability officers in advancing education about and demonstration of sustainable systems on university campuses in the northeast and maritime region. Organized around the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, the NECSC members have committed to an annual meeting that advances campus sustainability by providing close networking opportunities, professional development, and access to the area’s vibrant and growing college and university sustainability practitioner community. With no formalized structure, the NECSC is a collaborative, participatory network serving sustainability professionals in higher education in the northeast region.
The Town of Mansfield and UConn are pleased to team up against litter in our town. Join in to meet others in the Mansfield community and do good for our people and planet.
| UConn & Vicinity | Town Wide | |
| Date & Time: | Sunday, April 27
Cleanup Check In Stations will be open Noon to 4pm |
Saturday, April 26
Supplies can be picked up from 9am to noon at the Mansfield Community Center during the Earth Day Celebration. |
| Where: | Volunteer to clean up in the core of campus, Hunting Lodge Rd, Separatist Rd, North Eagleville Rd, or Eastwood/Westwood Rds.
Litter pickup supplies will be provided at check in stations. |
Anywhere you feel safe collecting roadside litter in your neighborhood. Roads that are especially littered include Pleasant Valley, Mansfield City, White Oak and Gurleyville. Consider making a commitment to pick up litter on a section of road throughout the year by joining Adopt A Road. |
| What To Do With Full Trash/Recycling Bags: | Bring your litter bag to your Check In station once you are finished. UConn Facilities trucks will be making rounds to pick up bags from the stations. | Bags of litter may be placed out with household trash for those with collection service or taken to the Mansfield Transfer Station for no charge. The Transfer Station is located on Rte 89, one mile from the intersection of Routes 195 and 89 in Mansfield Center at 221 Warrenville Rd. The Transfer Station is open Tuesdays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Thursdays, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Saturdays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. |
Litter is an unsightly blight on our roadways, and hurts the environment. It can be especially dangerous for wildlife. Small animals may crawl into bottles and get stuck, and litter can blow into storm drains and streams and may eventually make its way to the ocean. When litter gets eaten by animals and sea life, they can starve to death or suffocate. Litter also attracts pests. Be part of the solution, not the pollution!
Read the story about Don’t Mess with Mansfield in UConn Today.
Undergraduate students work as interns at the Office of Sustainability to provide leadership, collaboration and advocacy for sustainability at UConn. The 10 hour per week positions help enact the Office’s critical university programs. Interns host campus sustainability engagement events, carry out UConn’s strategic sustainability plans, and research best environmental practices to improve sustainability at UConn.
If you have an interest in sustainability, want great career experience and excellent mentoring, apply to join our team of ~12 interns this fall.
Submit a letter expressing your interest in the position, your resume and an application via JobX.
Applications are due by 11:59pm on April 23. No late applications will be accepted.
For more details visit: https://sustainability.uconn.edu/experiential-learning/os-internship-opportunities/sustainability-interns/
As a Marine Sciences major and lifelong ocean lover, I was particularly interested in learning about the marine-related aspects at COP29. The ocean plays a critical role in climate adaptation yet is facing some of the worst effects of climate change.
The first event I attended at COP was a panel titled “IUCN’s Great Blue Wall and ODISEA Launch Joint Expedition for Ocean Conservation Solutions”. It included experts in marine conservation from Zanzibar, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. The focus was on expanding the blue economy in a sustainable and just manner. One point that was discussed is providing resources and funding to individuals and communities to bolster their own ocean-friendly livelihoods, such as aquaculture and sustainable fishing. They also discussed the importance of engaging women in all aspects of business and empowering small-scale community action. For this to work, it requires collaboration between researchers, policymakers, businesses, investors, and most importantly, the local people.
Another topic that was brought up throughout COP is the disproportionate effects of climate change on developing island nations. This includes flooding and loss of land due to sea level rise, and increased storm damage. The effects are more difficult to prepare for and recover from due to insufficient money and resources available to developing island nations. A panelist from St. Helena discussed the difficulty of receiving international support such as UN grants as a territory of a more developed country. At the same time, governments often do not provide adequate help for their own island territories. Another issue, specific to the Marshall Islands, was brought up: a radioactive containment dome holding the remnants of US nuclear weapon testing. The dome is currently leaking, and its collapse will be hastened in a major storm or with sufficient sea level rise, which is particularly likely considering its low-lying ocean front location. This is just one of many examples highlighting the interminable consequences of military activities, and its compounding effect with environmental injustice.
In downtown Baku, there was an exhibit about marine animal destruction. The exhibit focused on shark, dolphin, and whale hunting, showing some gruesome photos. There was also a life-size model of a beached whale lying beside the Caspian Sea. This was the only public exhibit that I saw in Baku related to COP. While I appreciate that this brought to light some serious issues, it is just as important to note what the exhibit did not show. There was no mention of climate change, ocean acidification, or oil spills, which are some of the worst effects on the ocean. Petroleum exportation is the main economic driver of Azerbaijan, so it is likely the government did not want a display the harmful effects of oil to its citizens. Showing the heart-wrenching killing of charismatic animals in foreign countries distracts from the oil industry’s role as an ocean killer.
Overall, I appreciated learning about the ocean-related issues at COP, and the work currently being done, and that must be done, to solve these problems. However, I believe more emphasis should have been placed on the ocean, especially considering its critical position in the climate crisis.
Kamala Chuss is a Marine Science major in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
My experience at COP29 thus far has been eye opening. I have attended a variety of panels, events, and networking sessions that have allowed me to learn more about a variety of environmental issues, meet and talk to students and professionals from across the globe, and better understand the efforts being made by countries to address the climate crisis.
Something that stood out to me is that water appears to be one of the most underrated but key components to addressing climate change. When it comes to water, it was interesting to hear many panelists say that it is important to look at water in terms of adaptation and as an opportunity instead of as a problem. This is because although water quality and accessibility are issues that essentially every country faces to some degree, water also provides many opportunities for innovation and renewable energy generation.
One of the panels on water that I found most interesting was “Action on Water: Water solutions for climate actions” because it talked about the water issues the world is facing but also discussed the importance of involving local people when working on and implementing projects. For example, when it comes to water use in agriculture, panelist Sharon Cherono, Project Officer for Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF), discussed the importance of presenting information to farmers in a more relatable way. By effectively communicating with farmers, as a society we can shift to more sustainable farming practices. 
It was also explained during this panel that countries are working on a variety of projects to protect water resources, including the Freshwater Challenge, which is the largest global freshwater initiative. It is focused on restoring 300,000 km of freshwater and 350 ha of wetlands. Additionally, there is often a focus on water wars and conflicts between countries over access to and ownership of water. However, I have seen through several of the panels at COP29 that we can also view water as a way to unite us through countries collaborating on conservation and restoration efforts.
I am looking forward to learning more about water and its restoration during the remainder of the conference, as well as understanding the overlap it has with a variety of environmental topics and issues, such as biodiversity.
Amanda Stowe is a Environmental Science major in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Arriving at COP29, I quickly realized that this wasn’t just a conference but a confluence of ideas, activism, and solutions for a sustainable future. From grassroots protests to high-level discussions, the atmosphere was charged with purpose and urgency.
The first day began with a powerful protest led by representatives of the Niger Delta communities in Nigeria, demanding reparations for decades of environmental degradation caused by oil companies. This demonstration was a reminder of the human cost of environmental negligence and the urgent need for justice in climate action. The sessions I attended afterward at the Nigerian Pavilion emphasized practical ways to empower youths with the skills required for a green transition. This focus on actionable solutions for the youth was refreshing and essential. Meanwhile, at the UNFCCC pavilion, a session titled “The Digital Climate Library: Art, AI, and the Climate Narrative — Bridging Digital Access and Global Action” highlighted the role of technology and storytelling to amplify climate voices. It was interesting to learn how digital innovations like Web3 can bridge gaps and foster global collaboration.
The next day started by attending a session titled “Unlocking the Newfound Potential of Geothermal Energy” where I was quite impressed with the potential of geothermal energy as a sustainable and widely adoptable renewable source of energy. I had an insightful conversation on the sidelines with Sam Abraham, a member of the panel, which further expanded my understanding of the potential of geothermal energy. Another highlight was the Presidential briefing on methane reduction from organic waste. Leaders from the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) Champions shared actionable steps, including the United States announcement to update its Clean Air Act emissions standards for municipal solid waste landfills by 2025. The UAE also shared plans to reduce methane emissions from its waste sector, targeting a 50% landfill diversion by 2025 and 80% by 2031. These commitments reflect the critical role of methane reduction in global climate strategies.
COP29 has already proven to be an impactful experience—a space where grassroots advocacy, technological innovation, and policy intersect to tackle the climate crisis head-on. My biggest takeaway? The solutions are as diverse as the people here, and collaboration remains our strongest tool for change. The conference offers a powerful reminder that while the challenges are immense, the potential for meaningful change is even greater.
Mayowa Oladele is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
