The Sustainable Learning Community ─ One University's Journey to the Future

University communities have the potential to serve as models in the development and application of sustainability principles and practices, not only by what they teach and study, but also how they operate facilities and engage with off-campus partners. With the oldest endowed, campus-wide Sustainability Program in the country, established in 1997, the University of New Hampshire has become a leading institution in advancing integrated approaches to the development of a campus culture of sustainability. The UNH experience in pursuing a Sustainable Learning Community provides a unique window into the process of developing this new and integrated approach to teaching, learning, research, engagement and operations that will be of value to other institutions as they develop efforts to enhance the quality of campus life while reducing their environmental footprint.

This book presents all of the dimensions of sustainability in campus life and offers the story of how one university has combined frugality and creativity to make significant progress in integrating sustainability across all aspects of the university's mission. The organization of the book along four functional domains (curriculum, operations, research, and engagement: CORE) allows faculty, staff, students, and managers to focus on sections of particular relevance to their roles in the university setting relating to biodiversity and ecosystems, climate and energy, culture, and food systems. These CORE chapters develop standards of best practices and use interesting case studies to humanize the larger effort.

JOHN ABER is Professor of Environmental Science and former Vice President for Research, University of New Hampshire. TOM KELLY is Chief Sustainability Officer and Director, Office of Sustainability Programs.
BRUCE MALLORY is Provost and Executive Vice President.