Sustainability Calendar

Progress in sustainability requires us, as a community, to stand together with courage to credibly advance science and solutions. Yet key challenges to this collaborative effort persist, including growing distrust in science, climate change denial, greenwashing and brownwashing, restrictions on data accessibility and academic freedom, the amplification of misinformation through social media and bots, and increasingly complex social and political landscapes. This moment calls for a different kind of response. Join hundreds of cross-sectoral sustainability professionals as they share their work that champions evidence-based research, innovative and accessible solutions, and the persistence and preparation essential to building a hopeful and resilient future. Inspiring plenaries, symposia, roundtables, posters, workshops, professional development courses, fun leisure activities, and networking opportunities await. The conference will be hosted by Colorado State University's School for Global Environmental Sustainability and the CSU Climate Hub at Spur. This conference is hosted by the National Sustainability Society. Learn more and register for this event by visiting the NSS website. 

Progress in sustainability requires us, as a community, to stand together with courage to credibly advance science and solutions. Yet key challenges to this collaborative effort persist, including growing distrust in science, climate change denial, greenwashing and brownwashing, restrictions on data accessibility and academic freedom, the amplification of misinformation through social media and bots, and increasingly complex social and political landscapes. This moment calls for a different kind of response. Join hundreds of cross-sectoral sustainability professionals as they share their work that champions evidence-based research, innovative and accessible solutions, and the persistence and preparation essential to building a hopeful and resilient future. Inspiring plenaries, symposia, roundtables, posters, workshops, professional development courses, fun leisure activities, and networking opportunities await. The conference will be hosted by Colorado State University's School for Global Environmental Sustainability and the CSU Climate Hub at Spur. This conference is hosted by the National Sustainability Society. Learn more and register for this event by visiting the NSS website. 

Progress in sustainability requires us, as a community, to stand together with courage to credibly advance science and solutions. Yet key challenges to this collaborative effort persist, including growing distrust in science, climate change denial, greenwashing and brownwashing, restrictions on data accessibility and academic freedom, the amplification of misinformation through social media and bots, and increasingly complex social and political landscapes. This moment calls for a different kind of response. Join hundreds of cross-sectoral sustainability professionals as they share their work that champions evidence-based research, innovative and accessible solutions, and the persistence and preparation essential to building a hopeful and resilient future. Inspiring plenaries, symposia, roundtables, posters, workshops, professional development courses, fun leisure activities, and networking opportunities await. The conference will be hosted by Colorado State University's School for Global Environmental Sustainability and the CSU Climate Hub at Spur. This conference is hosted by the National Sustainability Society. Learn more and register for this event by visiting the NSS website. 

The Season of Creation will begin on September 1 and end on October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. If you're planning an event that coincides with this celebration of our Earth, let us know! We can share and help promote your event. Submit your event here What is the Season of Creation?  The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join together in both prayer and action for our common home. Christians worldwide have embraced the season as part of their annual calendar. Pope Francis established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in the Roman Catholic Church in 2015, and in 2019 started celebrating the Season of Creation as well. In recent years, statements from religious leaders around the world have also encouraged the faithful to take time to care for creation during the month-long celebration.

Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Only 20 spots are available, so don't wait to sign up! This event is open to the public and will be weather permitting. Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register today

Job Summary Notre Dame Sustainability seeks a metrics and reporting intern to support the institution’s sustainability initiatives through metrics tracking, reporting, and data analysis. This position offers an opportunity for a motivated individual to gain hands-on experience in operational sustainability practices within a higher-education environment. This position is open to undergraduate and graduate students. Interns on the Sustainability Team gain professional sustainability experience that prepares individuals for a possible career in this field. All interns are compensated with pay of $16.50/hour. Interns do not work during university holidays, finals week, or when classes are not in session. Positions are active for one academic year. Renewed positions are contingent upon sustainability priority areas, intern performance, and general office needs. Position Description The Sustainability Metrics & Reporting Intern will work closely with staff on the Sustainability Team to identify needs, project deliverables, and timelines. Potential areas of work include:Assist in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing sustainability data from campus operatorsLead sustainability-focused projects relating to campus culture and behavioral changesConduct research on best practices and benchmarking in higher education sustainabilitySupport the preparation of sustainability reports, including the STARS reportDesign graphics and/or visualizations for sustainability programsParticipate in meetings with campus operational partners, and provide support when necessaryOther duties as assigned, including the potential for occasional projects outside of metrics, such as providing campus green toursEssential Qualifications for this PositionStrong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and other data analysis toolsFamiliarity with sustainability metrics and/or experience with sustainability reportingAbility to work and communicate professionally with staff at all levels of the institutionPassion for sustainability and working knowledge of contemporary sustainability topics, such as greenhouse gas emissions, with a willingness to learn moreAbility to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environmentMust be willing to work a minimum of 2 hours prior to kick-off for 2 home football games for Gameday Recycling. This time requirement is not confirmed, and may be adjusted based on any changes made to pre-game recycling processes.Sustainability Intern Requirements & ExpectationsA deep interest in the field of sustainability, with a willingness to learnStrong interpersonal and communication skills. The success of sustainability professionals depends on positive relationships with stakeholders and decision makersProfessional presentation & report writing experienceProficiency in Microsoft applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and WordProficiency in Google Suite applicationsProject management experience or courseworkSelf-motivatedAdaptable to shifting prioritiesAbility to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environmentAbility to work professionally with staff at all levels of the organizationAvailability to work a minimum of six (6) hours per week. The average intern works eight to ten (8-10) hours per weekCommitment to supporting Notre Dame’s mission of Building a Beloved Community, including a willingness to implement such principles into sustainability practiceSensitivity to cultural diversityIn applying specific knowledge, skills, and talents to individual and team projects, student staff willHelp cultivate and spread an ethic and practice of sustainabilityTake a leadership role in sustainability projects on campusServe as a liaison for Notre Dame SustainabilityHelp with office support duties, including note-taking and other duties as assignedAttend office-sponsored events (schedule permitting)Attend sustainability trainings and other opportunities to develop job-relevant skills (schedule permitting)Desired Sustainability Intern QualificationsStrong scientific communication skillsSustainability-aligned academic or professional experienceHow to Apply Positions are open to graduate and undergraduate students from any discipline. Job candidates should submit an application for each position for which you want to apply. To be considered for hire, please send your resume and cover letter to green@nd.edu with the job title in the subject line of the email. Writing samples are not required, but appreciated. About Notre Dame Sustainability Notre Dame Sustainability collaborates alongside partners campuswide to plan for and promote a more sustainable campus. As campus partners, we support strategic sustainability planning, offering subject matter expertise to supplement the work of our partners. Our team is committed to the preservation and resilience of the environment and resources of our common home, as well as social capacity-building and resilience. Integral ecology principles and Building a Beloved Community are considered in all facets of our sustainability work. Notre Dame recognizes its responsibility to conserve the natural environment while promoting long-term economic and dignity for every human person, and works to foster a focus on the connection between resource stewardship and the Common Good.

Job Summary Notre Dame Sustainability seeks a waste reduction strategies intern to support waste diversion efforts across campus, such as recycling expansion. Positions are open to undergraduate and graduate students. Interns in the Sustainability Office gain professional sustainability experience that prepares individuals for a possible career in this field. This position will be compensated with a pay of $16.50/hour. Interns do not work during university holidays, finals week, or when classes are not in session. Positions are active for one academic year. Renewed positions are contingent upon sustainability priority areas, intern performance, and general office needs. Position Description The Waste Reduction Strategies Intern will work closely with Sustainability staff to identify needs, project deliverables, and opportunities for waste strategies on campus. Potential work may include:Conducting campus-wide audits of recycling and waste infrastructureBenchmarking peer institutions’ waste diversion programsFostering relationships with student leaders across campus in support of waste diversion effortsTracking locations of recycling toters and other waste infrastructure for GIS mapping.Supporting the management of the “Adopt-a-Bin” plastic bag and film recycling program in the residence halls, as well as any other student-focused waste diversion programsDeveloping draft graphics and signage for programsUpdating labels and signage in buildingsParticipating in waste-related meetings with campus operational partners and providing meeting support as needed.Supporting the facilitation of climate action planningOther duties as assigned, including the potential for occasional projects outside of waste diversion, such as campus green tours. Essential Qualifications for this PositionMust be willing to work a minimum of 4 hours prior to kick-off for all home football games. This time requirement is not confirmed, and may be adjusted based on the changing needs for the pre-game recycling processes.Willingness to work outside of traditional business hours (evenings and weekends)Analytical & critical thinking skillsCommitment, knowledge, and passion for waste diversion on campusExperience with, or a willingness to learn, CanvaEffective and professional communication skillsAbility to form connections and support collaborative efforts with various student stakeholders on campus, including student government, sustainability commissioners, and GreeND.Willingness and ability to serve as a leader of other students as it relates to recycling and waste diversion initiatives.Sustainability Intern Requirements & ExpectationsA deep interest in the field of sustainability, with a willingness to learnStrong interpersonal and communication skills. The success of sustainability professionals depends on positive relationships with stakeholders and decision makers.Professional presentation & report writing experienceProficiency in Microsoft applications, particularly Excel, Powerpoint, and WordProficiency in Google suite applicationsProject management experience or courseworkSelf-motivatedAdaptable to shifting prioritiesAbility to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environmentAbility to work professionally with staff at all levels of the organizationAvailability to work a minimum of six (6) hours per week. On average, an intern works around ten (10) hours per week.Commitment to supporting Notre Dame’s mission of Building a Beloved Community, including a willingness to implement such principles into sustainability practice.Sensitivity to cultural diversityIn applying specific knowledge, skills, and talents to individual and team projects, student staff will:Help cultivate and spread an ethic and practice of sustainabilityTake a leadership role in sustainability projects on campusServe as a liaison for Notre Dame SustainabilityHelp with office support duties, including note-taking and other duties as assignedAttend office-sponsored events (schedule permitting)Attend sustainability trainings and other opportunities to develop job-relevant skills (schedule permitting)Desired Sustainability Intern QualificationsStrong scientific communication skillsSustainability-aligned academic or professional experienceStakeholder relationship buildingHow to Apply Positions are open to graduate and undergraduate students from any discipline. Job candidates should submit an application for each position they want to apply for. To be considered for hire, please send your resume and cover letter to green@nd.edu with the job title in the subject line of the email. Writing samples are not required, but appreciated. About Notre Dame Sustainability Notre Dame Sustainability collaborates alongside partners campuswide to plan for and promote a more sustainable campus. As campus partners, we support strategic sustainability planning, offering subject matter expertise to supplement the work of our partners. Our team is committed to the preservation and resilience of the environment and resources of our common home, as well as social capacity-building and resilience. Integral ecology principles and Building a Beloved Community are considered in all facets of our sustainability work. Notre Dame recognizes its responsibility to conserve the natural environment while promoting long-term economic and dignity for every human person, and works to foster a focus on the connection between resource stewardship and the Common Good.

Join the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative in welcoming Professor Sera Young for the Notre Dame Seminars on Sustainability Series. We invite all attendees to stay afterward for lunch, conversation, and fellowship in 125 DeBartolo Hall as we work together to grow this vital network on campus. Professor Sera Young, Northwestern University professor of anthropology, co-director for the Center for Water, and the Morton O. Schapiro Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research, will join the Notre Dame community to discuss the Water InSecurity Experiences (WISE) Scales. Professor Young will describe how WISE Scales, the first cross-country equivalent way of measuring water access, can be used to estimate the prevalence of water insecurity, make decisions about targeting resources, and evaluate the impact of water interventions. She will lay out the evidence to date about how water insecurity shapes poor nutrition, mental health, and physical health, and the implications of water insecurity in the face of climate change. She will conclude by describing real-world policy-relevant implications for measuring human experiences with water from around the globe. Professor Young has dedicated her career to understanding how women, especially in low-resource settings, cope to preserve their health and that of their families. She is also co-Editor-in-Chief of PLOS Water. The Notre Dame Seminars on Sustainability Series is a signature lecture series organized by the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative that brings global sustainability leaders and world-class scholars to campus for knowledge sharing and engagement with the Notre Dame community. Beyond sharing cutting-edge research, we hope to help build a vibrant, connected community of sustainability-minded researchers, students, and professionals across campus.Originally published at sustainabilityinitiative.nd.edu.

Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Only 20 spots are available, so don't wait to sign up! This event is open to the public and will be weather permitting. Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register today

Get an inside look at the building process of McCourtney Hall East, the university's first Platinum LEED-certified building. Led by Senior Director and Associate University Architect Mike Daly, participants will learn about the features that make this building a standout sustainable achievement, as well as the process of achieving LEED. Register today

Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Only 20 spots are available, so don't wait to sign up! This event is open to the public and will be weather permitting. Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register today

Join the Notre Dame Sustainability team for a walk around Saint Mary's Lake to pick up trash and help keep our campus ecosystem litter-free! In previous litter pick-ups, we've found interesting items like TVs and bowling balls! Trash grabbers, gloves, bags, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can care for our common home! There is no limit on the number of participants. The more folks in attendance, the better! Registration is not required, but encouraged, so that we may prepare materials.  Register today

Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Only 20 spots are available, so don't wait to sign up! This event is open to the public and will be weather permitting. Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register today

Join the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative as we celebrate the first cohort of the Sustainability in Action Fellowship Program with a dynamic Symposium celebrating undergraduate student leadership, innovation, and hands-on environmental stewardship. Through a series of lightning talks, each fellow will share key insights from their summer fieldwork/experiences to highlight how their work put JTS’s core mission and guiding principles into action. Whether you are an undergraduate student interested in applying for future fellowship cohorts, someone looking to learn more about the JTS Initiative, or simply eager to support Notre Dame's student leaders in sustainability, we invite you to join us for this Symposium. We also invite all attendees to join JTS afterwards for a reception to celebrate the Fellows and as an opportunity to meet others interested in sustainability research and practice on campus. Originally published at sustainabilityinitiative.nd.edu.

Campus Safety’s Zombie Preparedness Festival returns to Notre Dame Thursday, October 1, once again transforming the area outside Notre Dame Stadium into a lively mix of safety education and Halloween fun. Now in its fourth year, the event welcomes faculty, staff, students, and community partners eager to learn practical preparedness skills. The Zombie Preparedness Festival blends fun with an important purpose: helping our campus community build the skills and knowledge needed to stay safe, even in the case of zombies. Attendees will be able to explore hands-on demonstrations ranging from CPR and first aid basics to fire extinguisher training and AED use. Campus departments and local agencies will also host interactive booths, covering everything from cybersecurity and travel safety to sustainability and emergency response. Adding to the energy of the day, a few familiar faces will be transformed into ghoulish versions of themselves, reminding everyone that even in the most unexpected circumstances, preparedness is key. Guests will enjoy food, giveaways, and a chance to win prizes. The event will take place on Thursday, October 1, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., outside Gate E at Notre Dame Stadium. Originally published at police.nd.edu.

Join the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative in welcoming Dr. Anthony Bebbington for the Notre Dame Seminars on Sustainability Series. We invite all attendees to stay afterward for lunch, conversation, and fellowship in 125 DeBartolo Hall as we work together to grow this vital network on campus. Anthony Bebbington is the International Program Director for Natural Resources and Climate Justice at the Ford Foundation. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he has held Professorships at the Universities of Melbourne, Manchester and Clark, and Guggenheim, ARC Laureate and ESRC Professorial Chairs. He has been Board Chair of the Climate and Land Use Alliance and the TAI Collaborative. Tony has done most of his own work in Latin America, with a focus on environmental governance, extractive industries, smallholder agriculture, rural livelihoods, social movements and non-governmental organizations. More details to be announced soon. Originally published at sustainabilityinitiative.nd.edu.

Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Only 20 spots are available, so don't wait to sign up! This event is open to the public and will be weather permitting. Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register today

Gather together at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart for Mass to honor caring for creation and celebrate Saint Francis of Assisi's 800th anniversary. Fr. Greg Haake will preside. 

Join the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative in welcoming Professor Janet Franklin for the Notre Dame Seminars on Sustainability Series. We invite all attendees to stay afterward for lunch, conversation, and fellowship in 125 DeBartolo Hall as we work together to grow this vital network on campus. Janet Franklin is the Endowed Campanile Foundation Professor in the Department of Geography, San Diego State University. Her research expertise is in Landscape Ecology, Global Change Biology, Conservation Biogeography, and Geospatial Science. She is a Member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Ecological Society of America.  More details to be announced soon. Originally published at sustainabilityinitiative.nd.edu.

Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Only 20 spots are available, so don't wait to sign up! This event is open to the public and will be weather permitting. Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register today