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National and International Programs and Organizations for Advancing Campus Sustainability (U.S. and Canadian-based)

General

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
AASHE is a professional, membership-based association of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada whose mission is to promote sustainability in all sectors of higher education - from governance and operations to curriculum and outreach - through education, communication, research and professional development. Businesses, NGO's, and government agencies serve as AASHE partners. The association provides a professional home for campus sustainability coordinators and other practitioners. Founded in 2005, AASHE's goal is to to leverage the efforts of the growing campus sustainability community in North America, uniting diverse initiatives and connecting practitioners to resources and professional development opportunities, including workshops, trainings and conferences.

Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF)
ULSF works to strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities to make sustainability and environmental literacy a major focus of teaching, research, service, and operations. ULSF is the secretariat for signatories of the Talloires Declaration. Founded in 1992, ULSF pursues its mission through research, resource development, assessment, membership support, and international partnerships to advance education for sustainability. It is housed in the Center for Respect of Life & Environment, which is an affiliate of the Humane Society of America.

Campus Ecology Program of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
Campus Ecology supports and promotes positive and practical conservation projects on campus and beyond to protect wildlife by restoring habitat and slowing global warming. Since its founding in 1989, Campus Ecology has been helping transform the nation's college and university campuses into living models of an ecologically sustainable society, and training a new generation of environmental leaders.

College and University Recycling Council (CURC) of the National Recycling Coalition
CURC is a network of campus-based recycling professionals who face similar challenges and opportunities in managing college and university programs. It was formed in 1992 and became a technical council of the National Recycling Coalition in 1995. It's mission is to organize and support environmental program leaders at institutions of higher education in managing resource, recycling, and waste issues.

Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability (DANS)
The Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability (DANS) is an informal network of professional associations. Among other activities, they are working on professional development around sustainability as well as changing curricula, standards, and tenure requirements to reflect sustainability. DANS members are committed to supporting sustainability within the disciplines, across the disciplines, and beyond the academy. Educating the public and promoting sustainability-related legislation are among their goals.

Higher Education Associations for Sustainability Consortium (HEASC)
HEASC is an informal network of higher education associations with a commitment to advancing education for a sustainable future, both within their constituencies and within the system of higher education itself. HEASC was formed in 2006 with the purpose of creating a forum for member HEA's to support each other's sustainability programming by meeting on a regular basis to share information and exchange ideas, and engaging in joint projects as appropriate to each organization's mission. Second Nature coordinates the network, and the National Association for College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) serves as fiscal agent.

Second Nature (SN)
Since 1993, Second Nature (SN) has worked with over 4,000 faculty and administrators at more than 500 colleges and universities to help make the principles of sustainability the foundation of all learning, practice, and collaboration with local communities. Led by SN's founder and President, Dr. Anthony Cortese, SN has conducted hundreds of consultations on various aspects of education for sustainability, as well as over fifty workshops on topics such as institutionalizing sustainability education and practice, faculty and curriculum development, sustainable planning, operations, and design, and sustainable purchasing. In addition to advisory services, SN initiates, advises, and supports select high-leverage national and regional education for sustainability (EFS) activities for which there is a clear need and committed support.

Higher Education Sector Team of the US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (USPDESD)
The US Partnership consists of individuals, organizations and institutions in the United States dedicated to education for sustainable development. The partnership was formed to support implementation of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development in the United States. The primary goal of the Partnership is to bring about a new cultural norm in which Americans are more "literate" about sustainability challenges and have both the skills and attitudes to participate in solutions. The Higher Education Sector Team has engaged over 14 U.S. higher education associations - including some of the largest and most prominent - in formal partnerships, project collaborations, and national initiatives to promote education for sustainable development.

Environmental Education Focus

North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)
NAAEE is a network of professionals, students, and volunteers working in the field of environmental education throughout North America. Since 1971, the Association has promoted environmental education and supported the work of environmental educators. NAAEE has a Higher Education Commission for people people working on environmental education at colleges and universities.

The Eco League
The Eco League is college consortium dedicated to environmental learning and the active pursuit of environmental studies. It is comprised of six liberal arts colleges with a commitment to environmental studies programs, located in diverse bioregions. The Eco League was officially founded in early 2003, when member schools signed a formal agreement that provided for cooperative exchanges of faculty and students, as well as program research and experiential opportunities. Many of the participating schools were original members of the now-defunct North American Alliance for Green Education (NAAGE).

University Affiliate Program of the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE)
NCSE has been working since 1990 to improve the scientific basis for environmental decision-making. Through its University Affiliate Program, NCSE provides services to enhance environmental education, research, and outreach activities of over one hundred member institutions. Affiliates have unique opportunities to network and collaborate through topical workshops, specific projects, and other activities. The Council helps Affiliates address such issues as building and maintaining successful environmental programs, interdisciplinary curricula and core competencies, student recruitment and careers, and faculty advancement. In 2001, NCSE launched the Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD), a professional organization for environmental leaders of American campuses that seeks to transform environmental higher education in the 21st century. CEDD gives academic environmental leaders a structure for communication and cooperation to improve the quality and relevance of their programs.

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