February 2nd is World Wetlands Day, as recognized by the United Nations. Wetlands are ecosystems where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. A broad definition of wetlands includes both freshwater and marine and coastal ecosystems such as all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and saltpans.  Although they only cover about 6% of the Earth's land surface, 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. These lands are critical to people and nature, given the intrinsic value of these ecosystems, and their benefits and services, including their environmental, climate, ecological, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic contributions to sustainable development and human wellbeing. Close to home, the Lydick Bog sits in our own backyard in South Bend. This dedicated Indiana state nature preserve protects one of the last remaining sphagnum bog habitats in Indiana. For World Wetlands Day, we encourage you to learn more about the Lydick Bog and consider taking a trip there to experience this unique piece of nature. 

Are you interested in learning more about how higher education can play a role in advancing sustainability? The Office of Sustainability is providing Notre Dame affiliates with the opportunity to register virtually for the Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit (February 6 – 7, 2023). Some of the topics to be discussed include decarbonizing campuses, climate justice, and climate action planning. Space is limited to 100 attendants, so don't wait to register! You can view the conference agenda and register for virtual participation here. Enter our campus code "campusndv" to waive the registration fees.

Are you interested in learning more about how higher education can play a role in advancing sustainability? The Office of Sustainability is providing Notre Dame affiliates with the opportunity to register virtually for the Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit (February 6 – 7, 2023). Some of the topics to be discussed include decarbonizing campuses, climate justice, and climate action planning. Space is limited to 100 attendants, so don't wait to register! You can view the conference agenda and register for virtual participation here. Enter our campus code "campusndv" to waive the registration fees.

Did you know? The internet and its supporting systems produce 900 million tons of CO2 annually – more than the annual output of the entire country of Germany! Just like the physical environment, there is a tremendous amount of trash in the digital world: unnecessary emails, files, apps, and duplicates of photos and videos are all forms of digitized waste. This digital trash continues to consume energy even when we have forgotten it. Digital trash sits in the backups on servers that provide us with cloud service and continue consuming electricity.  On March 18, 2023, reduce your CO2 contributions by deleting unnecessary and duplicated digital files. Not only does this increase your digital capacity for future useful files, but you're also doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.