How to register for the 2020 Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education

UW–Madison will be a Host Institution for this year’s Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education, a virtual conference taking place October 20-22. GCSHE offers 3 full days of live content and networking, plus thirty days of on-demand access (through November 22). As a Host Institution, we have unlimited registration passes for our campus, as …

Where Are They Now? Natalie Tinsen interviews Katie Piel

In our “Where Are They Now?” series, current student interns interview former interns about their experience at the Office of Sustainability, and in particular how that experience has helped them since graduation. In the following entry, Natalie Tinsen relates her conversation with Katie Piel. Katie Piel graduated from UW­–Madison in May 2019 after working for …

ICYMI: Earth Week Film Screening of The Condor & The Eagle   

Jackie Olson is a senior majoring in Landscape & Urban Studies/Environmental Studies. She hopes to incorporate her knowledge of sustainability into her future designs, as well as pursue a degree in Environmental Law. She recently received the Michael Thornton and Nora Medina Social Innovation Award—a special honor made possible by a generous endowment fund for …

Standing In Solidarity

Sustainability is about people thriving on and living in harmony with this planet. To strive for sustainability means practicing equity, compassion, and respect. Sustainability also means acknowledging and addressing the unjust treatment that so many have faced at the hands of the powerful and the dominant. Racist violence, racist policy, and racist ideology are antithetical …

Celebrating Earth Week, From a Distance

In the months leading up to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2020), the planet saw the arrival of COVID-19, which has since put profound pressure on public health, the global economy, and daily life. UW–Madison, of course, has responded: as the potential impact of the virus made itself clear, campus leadership decided …

Earth Week 2020 Goes Virtual

In recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyday life across the globe—and, of course, on the UW–Madison campus. Alongside the new norms of social distancing, face masks, and supply shortages, countless events have been canceled or postponed. Thanks to internet technology, resourceful interns, and a tweaked schedule, however, the Office of Sustainability is delighted …

Student Intern Column: How to Tackle Food Waste While Social Distancing

Hannah Kasun is a senior studying Music Performance and Environmental Studies with a certificate in Food Systems. Her work with the Office of Sustainability is focused primarily on the Green Events and Communications teams, and she enjoys working with others who are passionate about environmental and social sustainability. Hannah is using her spare time during …

In Case You Missed It: Women in Water & Sustainability

In our In Case You Missed It series (also known as ICYMI), student interns from the Office of Sustainability offer reflective reports on sustainability-related events and lectures at UW–Madison. The following entry is by Marina Steiner. Living in Madison, Wisconsin means there is ample opportunity to attend lectures, workshops, and learn from the dedicated experts …

Student Intern Column: Madison Residents Promote Sustainable Road Salting Practices

Norma Behrend-Martinez is a sophomore double majoring in Journalism and Environmental Studies. Brought up on Gene Roddenberry, Norma values differences in ideas and hopes to spread discussion on issues as an environmental journalist. She began interning at the Office of Sustainability in the summer of 2019 as part of the Communications and Green Office teams. …

Office of Sustainability student interns partner with Texas Woman’s University team to achieve Zero Waste

Interns Catie McDonald and Riley Collins collaborated with students, staff, and faculty at Texas Woman’s University to help make the 2020 Sci-Southwest Regional Symposium a zero-waste event, which means 90% or more waste was diverted from the landfill. Read the full story here.