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SustainableUMD News
Advice from Student Sustainability Leaders
At the University of Maryland, students are celebrated for their continuous effort to accelerate the University’s transition to a sustainable campus. The impact of student sustainability change agency is visible over the history of UMD’s sustainability progress:View Article Details for Advice from Student Sustainability Leaders Sustainability in the Food System
As part of the Division of Student Affairs and a campus leader in environmental stewardship, University of Maryland Dining Services has been instrumental in helping the University reach its climate goals and become a model “green university.” In support of campus sustainability goals, Dining Services developed and adopted the Sustainable Food Action Plan in October 2012, committing to continuously provide more nutritious and environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable food to campus diners.View Article Details for Sustainability in the Food System
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.”