Sustainable Southern

SCSU is part of a coalition of colleges and universities across the United States and internationally that have formally committed to climate leadership, net-carbon neutrality by 2050, and actively engaging campus and surrounding communities in climate resilience and adaptation.

News and Updates for 2024


Newhallville fREshSTARTs and Food Recovery Partnership

The Office of Sustainability is glad to support Newhallville fREshSTARTs through our food recovery program, providing meals for their up-and-coming fREsh-taurant; a community kitchen. fREshSTARTs, like us, hopes to support its community and plant the seeds for a bigger and brighter future, all while saving waste. This is a mission we at SCSUs Office of Sustainability can proudly stand behind. To learn more about Newhallville fREshSTARTs, check out some recent news coverage by Patch News and the New Haven Independent

A group of four people

New Haven Independent Covers the Beaver Brook Clean-up

Our first Beaver Brook Clean-Up on January 26 went phenomenally and received the attention of the New Haven Independent! The Office of Sustainability, Friends of Beaver Pond Park, West River Watershed Coalition, and of course our wonderful SCSU student volunteers spent the afternoon de-vining the forests and ridding the area of litter, all in the name of helping sustain our wonderful brookside landscape. Thank you to all who came and all those to come in our subsequent events on February 2 and 9 from 11-1.


Beaver Brook Clean-Up

SCSU's Office of Sustainability, Friends of Beaver Pond Park, and West River Watershed Coalition will be hosting multiple Friday work sessions throughout the spring. Join us to help improve public access to this park and maintain a nearby green space with native plants. We will remove litter, remove invasive plants, and create a pathway to the water. With the help of the City, we can play a role in maintaining and improving this park right across the street from our campus.

  • Friday January 26 from 11:00 am - 1:00pm (Week of Welcome)
  • Friday February 2 from 11:00 am - 1:00pm
  • Friday February 9 from 11:00am - 1:00pm

View Flyer

Look for our crew at the intersection of Crescent Street and Fitch Street or wait in front of Schwartz Hall.

A map of the location of Beaver Brook pond in New Haven

News and Updates for Fall 2023


Fall Work Party at Massaro Community Farms

Join us every Friday for a visit to our neighbors at Massaro Community Farms! We will help the crew wrap up the end of the season: harvesting fall produce, winterizing rows and beds, and touring the farm to learn more about organic farming methods. If you are interested, connect with our office to coordinate carpool options: sustainability@southernct.edu

We will be outdoors, so dress in warm clothing with closed toe shoes and expect to leave with some soil on clothes and shoes. Tranportation is not guaranteed, but please reach out and we can discuss any carpool plans. *Poor weather will affect these sessions; please confirm with us if inclement weather is forecasted. OwlConnect link

Where: 41 Ford Road, Woodrbidge, CT 06525

When: 

  • Friday, November 3 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
  • Friday, November 10 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
  • Friday, November 17 from 10:00am to 12:00pm"
Students and faculty working in a garden

Fall Harvest Festival

Our end of the season celebration on October 26th was a success! It was great to see so many old and new faces enjoying the garden, pumpkin carving/painting, getting their face painted, learning about other organizations, and of course enjoying the food. We are grateful for the donations we received for the food pantry. See you again next year!

Fall festival themed baked goods

Faculty Development Update

We had an amazing turnout for the last three faculty development events this spring--sailing on the Argia in Mystic, restoring endangered species habitat on Falkners Island, and tagging horseshoe crabs at Audubon's Milford Point location. These events are open to all faculty and staff, and typically feature an awesome partner like US Fish and Wildlife or our friends at Project Limulus. I

nterested in joining next time? Interested in future trips? Look for updates on our webpage, social media, OwlConnect, or email our office at sustainability@southernct.edu.

A collage of faculty and staff at a shore

Make Your Mark Event!

Thank you all for your submissions and participation in our paint-by-number event! Did you miss the submission deadline? Let us know and we can add your ideas to the next event! 

A group of students working to paint a mural

The Swap Shop has Moved

clipart of an owl

The Swap Shop reopened last semester! The Office of Sustainability collects donated office supplies and makes these items available to staff and faculty for free. Our student interns and volunteers help manage this inventory to reduce campus waste, and to reduce emissions from deliveries and trips to retail locations. We don’t have everything, but we have a lot (especially toner)! Check out the shelves at our new location in TE8 room 106 before your next purchase and please consider donating some items when you upgrade or move office locations. 

The Swap Shop open house events stop during the summer and will resume in the fall semester. Please contact our office with requests or questions.

View in University Calendar

 


Head Outdoors for Spring Faculty Development!

interested in outdoor place-based teaching and learning?

Spending time together outdoors is important for community resilience, fostering wellbeing, and can improve teaching and learning outcomes. This series was open to all faculty, sponsored by a faculty development grant and the Office of Sustainability. Each event featured SCSU faculty and a local community partner. Are you a new or recently hired faculty member? Welcome to SCSU and we hope you join us exploring some local outdoor treasures. Interested in sharing research, creative activity or curriculum that connects to one of the previous events? Contact us! 

Suzie Huminski, Sustainability Coordinator huminskis1@southernct.edu