Celebrating Everyday Sustainability
The University of Iowa’s Charter Committee on Sustainability is launching Campus Roots, an initiative designed to recognize and celebrate sustainable practices across campus. From offices to research groups, classrooms to labs, the committee invites submissions highlighting actions that contribute to a greener university community. These actions may be modest or ambitious, formal or informal, quantifiable or qualitative; what matters is the commitment to reduce environmental impact and inspire others.
Each year, the committee will select outstanding honorees and commemorate their contributions by planting a tree in their honor on campus. This living tribute represents both the impact of their efforts and the university’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. Every tree will serve as a lasting symbol of how individual actions can grow into a legacy of sustainability.
A Tree Planted For Every Outstanding Honoree
In partnership with Facilities Management’s Landscape Services, each winning group will be honored with the planting of a tree on campus. These trees will be added to the University’s official Tree Inventory, where they will be designated as Campus Roots trees and marked as dedicated to the winning group by name—creating a lasting record of your contribution to campus sustainability.
Eligibility
- Submissions must come from collaborative teams of two or more people representing a University of Iowa college, department, student organization, research group, or other official university unit. This program is designed to support team-driven initiatives, so projects led and implemented by a single individual are not eligible.
- Team members must be University of Iowa faculty, staff, or students.
- Projects must take place on the University of Iowa campus and/or have a direct impact on campus.
Timeline
- February 16, 2026: Submission form opens
- April 1, 2026: Submission deadline ends
- April 15, 2026: Submissions reviewed, honorees selected and notified
- May 2026: Tree species, planting location, and planting date selected in collaboration with honorees. Trees planted and recognition given to selected projects via campus social media, newsletters, and other communication tools.
Evaluation Criteria
Impact: Contribution to reducing waste, emissions, resource use, or other environmental impacts.
Innovation: Creative or novel approaches to sustainability challenges.
Replicability: Potential for adoption by other groups or departments.
Engagement: Inclusion of students, faculty, staff, or community members.
Longevity: Whether the practice is sustainable over time.
Examples of Eligible Projects
A lab group switches to reusable glassware and adopts green chemistry protocols.
An office commits to zero-waste operations for daily activities and events.
A department supports biking and public transit as default commuting options.
A college integrates sustainability topics into major curriculum redesign.
A student group organizes an effective food waste prevention and composting program.
A research team implements low-energy practices or reuses packing materials.
A department curates a campus exhibit on the history of environmental work in Iowa.
A student group develops and produces a sustainability-themed performance.
