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SustainableUMD News
UMD’s Annual EarthFest Returns for 2026!
Article by Vivian Maneval '27View Article Details for UMD’s Annual EarthFest Returns for 2026! 
Behind the Build
Facilities Management highlights how Zupnik Hall will be the university’s first operationally net-carbon-zero building. Read the article.View Article Details for Behind the Build 
Sustainability Career Panel Brings a Diverse Range of UMD Alumni
The Office of Sustainability hosted its third annual Sustainability Career Panel on March 10th, 2026, at the University Career Center. This year, OS collaborated with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Arts and Humanities, and the Alumni Association to host the panel. The panel featured three UMD alumni working in various sustainability-related careers.View Article Details for Sustainability Career Panel Brings a Diverse Range of UMD Alumni 
Pilot Campus Energy Systems Tour
The Office of Sustainability’s first Clean Energy Education Intern, Abbey Vanasse, hosted a tour of several of the energy systems on campus. On November 11th, students and staff braved the wind to explore various stops along North Campus that featured multiple aspects of how our campus generates, distributes, and uses energy.View Article Details for Pilot Campus Energy Systems Tour Research and Innovation: The Center for Global Sustainability
Article by Vivian Maneval ‘27Think UMD’s influence ends at the boundaries of College Park, or even the United States? Think again. From China and Indonesia to India and Mexico, the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) works across borders to advance climate solutions worldwide through rigorous research, open data, policy engagement, education, and international collaboration.View Article Details for Research and Innovation: The Center for Global Sustainability
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.”