Contact sustainability@umd.edu with story suggestions, partnership opportunities, or other feedback.
SustainableUMD News
Inside Zupnik Hall’s Sustainable Design
UMD’s first operationally carbon-neutral building brings together innovative technology and thoughtful architecture to reduce energy use.Read more in Facilities Management's recent article.View Article Details for Inside Zupnik Hall’s Sustainable Design What do the New Sustainability Goals Mean for You?
What does it mean to be a part of Sustainable UMD? Is it carrying a reusable water bottle, sorting waste, or taking public transit? While these daily habits matter, being part of Sustainable UMD is also about connecting personal choices to the university’s larger sustainability strategy. In October,...View Article Details for What do the New Sustainability Goals Mean for You? Celebrating Campus Sustainability Month
October is recognized as Campus Sustainability Month. This international celebration was coordinated by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) to promote green initiatives, student-led projects, and campus events. On October 22, 2026, the Office of Sustaina...View Article Details for Celebrating Campus Sustainability Month A New Roadmap for the Decade Ahead
Staying informed about sustainability challenges—both here in Maryland and across the globe—can be overwhelming. Deciding where or how to begin making a difference can also feel daunting, which is why communities often rely on expert guidance to synthesize the evidence and illuminate a clear path fo...View Article Details for A New Roadmap for the Decade Ahead Celebrating Henson Week
On September 23rd, the Office of Sustainability took part in UMD’s Annual Celebration of Jim and Jane Henson! With this week-long celebration of what would have been Jim’s 90th birthday, there have been a plethora of events from a variety of departments around campus with the theme “Create. Make. Pl...View Article Details for Celebrating Henson Week What You Need to Know: Campus Sustainability Month
Not only is October peak college football season and the lead-up to Halloween, but it’s also Campus Sustainability Month (CSM)—a celebration of the progress UMD has made to foster a sustainable campus environment, raise awareness of sustainability efforts, and engage the campus community.Throughout ...View Article Details for What You Need to Know: Campus Sustainability Month
Feature Stories
Feature stories highlight multi-year collaborative projects and visually explore the resulting improvements and opportunities for a more resilient and sustainable campus. Written by Office of Sustainability staff in partnership with the SustainableUMD Network, these stories celebrate the success of interdisciplinary efforts around campus.
Small Fee, Big Impact
T. Brinks & V. Maneval/ Mar. 4, 2026
The Sustainability Fund, a student-driven grant program, has shaped campus sustainability operations and education for 15 years.
Transportation at the Intersection of Sustainability, Safety, and Learning
N. Pilsbury / May 9, 2025
UMD's Dept. of Transportation Services has a long-standing commitments to accessible and sustainable transportation opportunities
Growing Gardens from Grants
C. Gallagher / Dec. 15, 2023
A $30,000 grant from the Sustainability Fund helps the Community Learning Garden grow to support learning, community, and food security at the university.
10-Years of Sustainable Food
C. Lundquist & E. Hightower / Nov 02, 2022
UMD’s award-winning Dining Services program has served as a leader for sustainability initiatives on campus for over a decade. Green Dining programs aim to educate the community while progressing UMD's carbon neutrality goal.
Measuring Campus Forest Carbon
E. Hightower / Oct 12, 2022
Forests and other green spaces provide important benefits to mental and physical health, education, and campus operations. Students and researchers at UMD partner to better understand forest carbon sequestration and flux.
A Year in Review: 2020-2021
E. Hightower / Mar 25, 2022
The University continues to strive for excellence in climate action, aiming to achieve the visions embodied in campus, community, and global sustainability goals. The 2020 calendar year highlights the University’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and climate action even as financial and social challenges mounted with the impacts of the global pandemic.
Building a Sustainable Future
S. DeLeon / Nov 18, 2020
At the local scale, UMD and partners in government and business are guiding future planning with a deep commitment to “smart growth.”