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.

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Students help sort waste at President's Block Party
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Office of Sustainability staff give away plants at UI Library patio
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Events

5th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory promotional image

5th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory

Saturday, July 12, 2025 9:00am to 11:00am
Ashton Cross Country Course
What types of plants, animals, and fungal life might you find at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory? Let's find out! Join researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory in our 5th Annual BioBlitz. Your findings will inform a major research project and will contribute to the fifth data point in a multi-year documentation of how diversity changes at this site over time. Collections will be housed with the UI Museum of Natural History...
Applied Hydraulics at IIHR: Stormwater Diversion and Drop Structure Design for Ellicott City promotional image

Applied Hydraulics at IIHR: Stormwater Diversion and Drop Structure Design for Ellicott City

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual
IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering at the University of Iowa is the oldest academic research center in the United States focused on hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics. With over a century of experience, IIHR has played a key role in advancing the science and application of hydraulics in major civil infrastructure projects worldwide. This webinar will provide a brief overview of IIHR’s research mission, technical capabilities, and areas of collaboration, followed by a focused look at our...
Okoboji Blue Water Festival promotional image

Okoboji Blue Water Festival

Saturday, August 9, 2025 (all day)
Arnolds Park
The Okoboji Blue Water Festival was founded in 2016 as a venue to promote clean water and other natural resources advocacy in the Iowa Great Lakes. The festival has grown exponentially each year and is now regarded as the premier water quality event in Iowa. There will be activities for kids, fishing seminars and keynote speakers, and exhibitors, including IIHR. The Okoboji Blue Water Festival supports the stewardship of clean water and other natural resources through participation, education...
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Volunteers planting Miyawaki Forest