Skip to main content

Sustainability

Opportunities and Activities

The University of Dayton recognizes that we are a part of a larger community and that our actions connect us. The students and faculty in the Sustainability Program pursue a greater understanding of what a sustainable world entails. We apply this understanding to activities within the university and beyond.

Our students actively engage the greater Dayton community and the university community in conversations about sustainability. They have the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences through study abroad opportunities, service break-outs, student-led organizations, and service learning opportunities in greater Dayton.

Opportunities for growth include:

The sustainability initiative is driven by an active group of students, faculty, and staff on campus. Listed below are some of the ways to get involved on campus.

ETHOS: This initiative of the School of Engineering seeks to provide experiential learning through service-learning internships, student organization activities, collaborative research and hands-on classroom projects that support the development of appropriate technologies for the developing world, locally and globally. Website

Rivers Institute: A part of the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, the Rivers Institute is a group of UD students and faculty working to connect the University to the Great Miami River and to the local community. Website

Marianist Environmental Education Center: The Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is an educational ministry located at the Mount St. John Nature Preserve. Website


Beta Beta Beta: The University of Dayton has a chapter of this National Biological Honors Society.

RE-volv: This national organization is a nonprofit organization, stationed in San Francisco, with a mission to empower people and communities to invest collectively in renewable energy. Website

Sustainability Club: A service and social action club with an emphasis on food, water, and waste on campus, and in the Dayton community. Website

Vegetarian Club and Outreach: This club provides a supportive group to vegetarians, including social events like cooking classes and field trips.


Listed below are links to local sustainability, energy, and the environment community partners. Many of these partners have joined the SEE Initiative for events and activities, both on campus and in the Dayton community. Please take a moment to review the list below and learn more about how you can get involved with organizations off-campus.

Five Rivers Metro Parks: This area park system is dedicated to protecting Greater Dayton’s natural heritage and to providing outdoor recreation and education experiences that inspire a lasting personal connection with nature. Website

The Mission of Mary Cooperative: Mission of Mary Cooperative is an urban farming non-profit organization that works in east Dayton. They focus on the issues of food and economic social justice especially the issues of healthy food affordability and access. The work done at Mission of Mary aims to provide tangible benefits for the people of the community as well as the vacant and forgotten land of the neighborhood. Website

Dayton Regional Green 3: Dayton Regional Green 3 is a leadership collaborative committed to enhancing the quality of life and environmental assets of the Dayton region by growing our economy, protecting a healthy environment, and promoting social responsibility. Website

UpDayton: UpDayton seeks to spur economic growth in the Dayton region by attracting and retaining young creative talent. UpDayton wants to show young adults that the Gem City is a great place to live, work and play. And if top-notch creative young professionals want to live in our community, then top-notch entrepreneurs, businesses and investors want to be here, too. Website

Energy Visitor Center: Located at the Dull Farm, the Energy Visitor Center provides information on conserving energy and demonstrates many working alternative renewable energies. Website

Metroparks: Community Gardening: Since 1986, our Community Gardening program has been helping urban residents in Montgomery County develop and maintain community gardens and green projects, transforming vacant lots into productive open spaces. Community gardens are managed, maintained and owned by neighborhood residents and organizations. Community gardeners cultivate vegetable gardens, care for community-managed parks and beautify their neighborhoods with flowers and trees. The gardens provide many benefits: reduced crime rates, improved mental and physical health, and a greater sense of community. 

PNC Second Street Market: This marketplace strives to promote sustainable, local food systems in order to shrink the ecological footprint of Montgomery County. Over 40 vendors: local growers, bakers, culinary specialists, and artisans fill the charming historic freight house. Website

Precious Planet Ministry: Called by our Catholic faith, Precious Planet Ministry seeks to engage the members of St. Francis of Assisi in a dialogue about environmental issues and to encourage parishioners to be thoughtful steward’s of God’s creation. St. Francis of Assisi Church, Centerville.

Smaller Footprint Farm: This farm grows produce, flowers, herbs and chickens for a 45 member CSA and local farmers’ market using natural and sustainable methods. Now accepting applications for summer apprentices.


CONTACT

Sustainability Program

Fitz Hall
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 2950
937-229-3440
Email