Welcome to UM Sustainability

UM Sustainability represents the University of Montana's ongoing efforts to become socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable in our operations, classrooms, and facilities. Learn more about sustainability efforts underway across campus and how you can participate as a member of our campus community.

2024 Sustainability Award Nominations

We are currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Sustainability Awards as part of the Week of Excellence at the beginning of May!

Launched in 2004, these awards recognize individuals who contribute to UM’s sustainability efforts by:

  • helping reduce the University’s carbon footprint
  • incorporating sustainability into their curricula, service learning, and research
  • helping to build a more ecologically aware and socially just campus community
  • supporting campus diversity
  • promoting and facilitating conservation efforts across campus (waste, water, energy, etc.)
  • making sustainability fun, engaging, and inclusive

Nominees should represent one of the following categories: Zero Waste, Sustainability Research, Education & Outreach, and Sustainable Student. Nominees may be individuals or groups. Nominees for the Sustainable Student award must be a currently enrolled student. A total of four awards will be presented, one in each category, during UM’s Week of Excellence May 1-5. The SCC encourages nominations from across campus departments and seeks to recognize the many diverse actions being taken to make UM more sustainable. A list of current SCC members and past award recipients is available to view here. Please submit nominations by Friday, March 24th. Email Eva Rocke, Sustainability Director, with questions.

2023 Sustainability Award Winners

Each spring, the Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) recognizes UM employees and students whose work has supported our institutional sustainability efforts. This year's winners include:

  • Doug Kopp & Mae Ikerd, Team Project, for their work to bring local beef to campus
  • Trevor Wilson & Kolter Stevenson, students, for developing Smart Dorm, a tool to reduce energy and resource waste in residence halls
  • Peter McDonough, instructor, in recognition for his teaching in Climate Change Studies and GLI, his ongoing work mentoring students in all things sustainability, and for developing Soil to Soil, a new course examining the food system from start to finish.
  • Laura Granlund, UM Dining registered dietician, for her steadfast efforts around sustainable procurement, teaching, and advocacy for UM gardens.

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and for everyone doing the hard work of making UM more sustainable every day. We appreciate you.

 

We appreciate your interest in UM's sustainability and always welcome comments and feedback!

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