Every year, the BU Sustainability team works with thousands of students, faculty, and staff. As part of this work, we host events, programs, and activities across all three campuses.

Sustainability Festival

In the fall, BU Sustainability welcomes student organizations, programs, and community groups to our annual fall Sustainability Festival. There are two events each year, one festival at the BU Medical Campus and another on the Charles River Campus. In 2022, 48 groups and organizations participated in the festival.

Sustainability Liaisons

Across campus, over 80 departmental & programmatic representatives are championing sustainability practices. Sustainability Liaisons work with their colleagues to promote environmentally friendly behaviors in their workspaces. Liaisons refer staff and faculty to our Green Department and Green Office Certification programs. The certifications allow individuals and groups to evaluate their impact and set goals for sustainable action in the workplace.

Seed Grant Funding

In partnership with Innovate@BU, BU Sustainability offers the annual Sustainability Innovation Seed Grant program. This program provides initial funding for students interested in developing a program, initiative, or startup that aligns with BU’s Climate Action Plan and relates to one or more of the topics of climate change resilience, emissions and energy, education and engagement, environmental justice, or zero waste. In 2022, we accepted 20 projects, the highest in the program’s history.

Environmental Leadership Network

Students across the University participate in 33 sustainability-related student organizations. In addition, BU Sustainability staff regularly work with these organizations and their leaders as part of the Environmental Leadership Network.

Resident Sustainability Leaders

As the University returned to near-normal operations, our Resident Sustainability Leaders played a key role in engaging Warren Towers and West Campus residents around sustainability in the dorm community. As part of their work, these student leaders host regular sustainability-related events for residents. In addition, Resident Sustainability Leaders, work closely and collaborate with Residence Life, RAs, and Hall Councils.

A Growing Team

In 2022 three new members joined our team.

• Parren Fountain joined in June as the Engagement Manager. Parren delivers a proactive outreach program across our campuses, leading Sustainability Liaisons, managing Resident Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors, and organizing events such as the Sustainability Festival.
• Sam Moller joined in August as the Assistant Director of Communications. Sam is responsible for increasing the internal and external visibility of our climate action and sustainability programs. He manages all communications channels, including a monthly newsletter, social media accounts, website, reports, and digital communications.
• Sarah Healey joined in September as the Zero Waste Manager. Sarah manages all waste & recycling vendor relationships and oversees infrastructure and training programs necessary to implement the Zero Waste Plan. Sarah is familiar with Boston University, having previously worked with our resource management partner, Casella.