The Office of Sustainability is offering several ways for students to learn about Sustainability at Iowa before returning to campus in the Fall! Check out the rest of our website for even more tools and resources designed to help you learn, work, and live sustainably at Iowa!

Virtual Tour of Campus Sustainability

Take a virtual tour to learn about all of the sustainable features on the University of Iowa campus! It highlights both the latest sustainability initiatives and the sustainable history of some of the oldest buildings on campus.

Take the Tour

On Iowa! Events

Wildflowers and Pollinators on Campus: Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory tour

8:45am - 10:45am August 18th

Meet at the Cambus stop adjacent Schaeffer Hall on the Pentacrest

Join staff from the Office of Sustainability and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences on Thursday, Aug. 18, 8:45-10:45 a.m. for a tour of the UI Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory. In this tour, you will:

• See prairie wildflowers and native pollinators on the UI campus!
• Join prairie specialists and fellow Hawkeyes for a tour of a newly constructed prairie.
• Learn how the UI campus is becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Please meet at the Cambus stop adjacent Schaeffer Hall on the Pentacrest. We will ride a Cambus to the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory (adjacent to the Hawkeye Commuter & Storage Lot). At the end of the tour, students will ride the Cambus back to the Cambus stop adjacent Schaeffer Hall.

Living Green On Campus & Beyond

9:00am - 2:00pm August 19th

Jessup Hall 5 W Jefferson St, Iowa City, Iowa 52240

Interested in living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, studying sustainability, or meeting other students interested in environmental issues? Visit the Office of Sustainability and the Environment's Open House during On Iowa! to discover the world of sustainability here at Iowa. Stop by for a free plant to grow in your new living space, meet student org leaders and UI departments engaged in sustainability, and learn how to make sustainability a part of your academic career.

UI Public Safety and Parking and Transportation will be present to help students make sure bikes are registered, so that if your bike is ever stolen you will have a better chance of getting it returned to you!

This event will be held outdoors, on the Pentacrest outside of Jessup Hall! This event is open to all students, staff, and faculty.

Tree Tours: Nature Walk & Talks

12:00pm - 1:00pm August 19th

Meet outside the Main Entrance to Macbride Hall

Join the Pentacrest Museums for guided strolls on campus featuring the ecological diversity, symbolism, history, and lore of our trees. We'll use the lunch hour once a month on these nature walk & talks for discovery, restoration, mindfulness & movement in this program—designed for you—with resilience and curiosity in mind.

• Meet outside near the main entrance to Macbride Hall, at the bottom of the stairs on the east side of the building.
• Rain or shine. 
• All are welcome (students, staff/faculty, community).
• Staff and faculty: our campus has encouraged programming of this nature for employee wellness. Make sure to let your supervisor know you'd like to attend if you need a little extra travel time before and after the walk.

Farmer's Market Tour

8:30am - 10:30am August 20th

Meet at Old Capitol Building

Meet for a short walk to Iowa City’s iconic and vibrant Farmers Market. Gather on the downtown-facing steps of the Old Capitol at 8:30 a.m. or at 9:30 a.m. The first group will tour the Market from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.; the second group will tour the market from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Join the Office of Sustainability and the Environment staff and student interns for a tour of the farmers market, and an introduction to the UI and Iowa City’s local food movement, as we stroll through the market’s myriad offerings of excellent food, sights and smells, and music.

The Office of Sustainability and the UI Student Government will provide a voucher to all students who attend. The voucher can be redeemed at the Iowa City downtown farmers market on 8/20/22 only. One voucher per student will be given out. The vouchers are redeemable for $3 and cannot be redeemed for alcohol. Please bring your student ID to receive a voucher.

This event is co-sponsored by UI Student Government and the Iowa City Farmers Market.

Learn More About the OSE!

Sustainability Courses in Fall 2022

Are you still looking for credits for Fall 2022? Check out our list of our favorite courses at Iowa related to sustainability and the environment! Also, check out the Certificate in Sustainability!

Enroll in Sustainability Courses

Underrepresented Students in Sustainability (USS)

The Underrepresented Students in Sustainability (USS) Mentoring Program is designed to make mentoring opportunities more accessible to undergraduates from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds exploring careers in sustainability & the environment. USS will connect students with qualified mentors interested in providing guidance and advocacy for the next generation of leaders in the field. 

Information and Applications for USS

Research with Sustainability Scientists & Scholars

Sustainability is a priority for scientists and scholars in every discipline at Iowa, including the natural and social sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. Check out our list of Iowa faculty and staff who are working sustainably, and email us or request a consultation if you don't find what you're looking for below! We're happy to help connect you with a research project that you're passionate about!

Research