Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability

Welcome!

The Center for Human & Environmental Sustainability is a hub for students, faculty, staff, and community members working toward a more sustainable and resilient future for our campus and surrounding region.

The Center supports students and faculty as they incorporate Sweet Briar’s 2,840 acres of fields, forests, and waterways into their learning, teaching, research, and community engagement activities. As Sweet Briar engages in more production agriculture, the Center is a conduit for linking the vineyard, apiary, greenhouse, and other farm activities to the College’s curriculum.

2022 Willits Fellow Nikki Adams '23 works in the community garden. 2022 Willits Fellow Nikki Adams '23 works in the community garden.

Our Working Mission

The Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability facilitates curriculum, research, and community engagement activities that support improved environmental outcomes, economic development, equity, and quality of life. As part of this, the Center facilitates integration between academic activities and the campus landscape and agricultural operations.

 

Agriculture and Sustainability Events:

Join sustainability club for our monthly plarn party! At these parties, you will learn to crochet and put those new skills to use. We will be making matts out of recycled plastic bags for the unhoused community. This is a Fall into Sustainability event.

Fall into Sustainability by going on a thrift trip with the Sustainability Club! Sustainably shop for your winter essentials at Episcopal Thrift Store in Amherst and Goodwill in Madison Heights. We will meet in the post office before heading out for an afternoon of secondhand shopping.

Come join the Sustainability Club and carve a pumpkin for the Halloween season! These pumpkins will be going to hungry pigs after Halloween!