Office of Sustainability and the Environment

Students looking at insects through a microscope

Solving Grand Challenges

Balancing human and environmental wellbeing.

Welcome to the Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OSE)

The OSE serves as a central resource for integrating sustainability into the University of Iowa’s operations, academics, research, and community engagement. Through collaborative partnerships, innovative initiatives, and educational opportunities, the OSE connects the campus community and empowers Hawkeyes to make informed decisions that drive meaningful, lasting impact.

Students observing water samples from a creek

Find Sustainability Degrees and Research Programs

Search sustainability-related majors, minors, certificates, and research centers

Students tossing graduation caps on Pentacrest at sunset

Add a Sustainability Certificate to Any Major

Give your resume a competitive edge with practical, future-focused skills employees are looking for

Take a Sustainability focused Course

Find a Class

Explore Sustainability Initiatives at UI

Students help sort waste at President's Block Party

See Waste Information

Bee campus sign in front of pollinator garden at Catlett/Chemistry

Explore Outdoor Spaces

Student holding earth everyday sign on Pentacrest

Find Jobs and Internships

Office of Sustainability staff give away plants at UI Library patio

Sustainable Living Tips

News

Group of people observing and exploring Ashton Prairie

Native Seed Collection Events in Johnson County

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

This is one of two microgardens that can be found in Burge Market Place.

From Water to Table: The Fresh Future of Burge Dining

Monday, September 29, 2025

University of Iowa Environmental Policy and Planning Alum Becomes New Director of Place Management in Iowa City Downtown District

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Events

Tree Stories: Their Hidden Lives Illuminated

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Sciences Library

Join photojournalist and author Mark Hirsch and arborist Andy Dahl for a presentation on the wonder of trees and their impact on human lives and our university campus.

Mark Hirsch's book That Tree features a year's worth of photographs of a bur oak tree and the relationship that grew from visiting this tree every day. Andy Dahl has cultivated and cared for over 9,000 campus trees representing over 350 different species at the University of Iowa.

The presentation will be accompanied by a UI...

Environmental Engineering and Science Graduate Seminar

Friday, October 17, 2025 1:30pm to 2:20pm

Seamans Center

John Flunker, Assistant Profesor, Epidemiology, University of Iowa, will present, Extreme Weather Events, Spatiotemporal Variation in Exposure, and Potential Health Impacts Among an Outdoor Workforce.

SEES 7000 Colloquium: Dr. Jesus Gomez-Velez (Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Thursday, October 23, 2025 3:30pm

Visual Arts Building

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