UNH Sustainability Institute’s Post

We're hiring! The Sustainability Institute is looking for a Coordinator of Student Advising and Leadership Development to work with our incredible students and hands-on programs, including the Changemaker Fellowship (a first-year student program), Trash2Treasure (a student-powered initiative that helps UNH's waste goals), and UNH Sustainability Advocates (a residential life program). If you're looking to engage with and support students who want to make an impact in their world, please apply! Fiona Wilson Alexis Dwyer Jade Chalkley #sustainabilityeducation #sustainability #highered #highereducation

Another incredible Sustainability Fellow update from this summer's program. Congrats Olivia Audet, on making impact in the world of waste and contributing to solve a monumental issue! Our thanks to the team at Scrapp for your partnership, mentorship, and for providing transformational experiences for our Fellows! Be sure to check out Olivia's work in Scrapp's Zero-Waste Champions program at her blog below! Fiona Wilson Alexis Dwyer #sustainabilityeducation #sustainability #wastereduction

Curious about hosting a UNH Sustainability Fellow at your organization during summer 2025? Businesses, non-profits and municipalities are invited to register for next Wednesday's info-session; we'll walk you through the RFP process, highlight what sets our Fellowship apart, feature insights from recent partner Host organizations, and address your questions during Q&A.

Heartfelt congratulations from all of us at the Institute to Mexicali Blues on their recent B Corp certification! Their commitment to business as a force for good has been long-standing and clear. Topher Mallory, CEO, noted, "while I am incredibly proud of our B Corp certification, for me, it has never been about the certification itself. Mexicali Blues has been on this journey for 35 years, and in the 20 years that I’ve been part of it, our evolution has been driven by a willingness to adapt and do good, even before we knew terms like 'stakeholder capitalism.' We've always believed that doing the right thing for people and the planet should come first, and this certification is a reflection of that longstanding commitment." We were honored to partner with Mexicali Blues through our B Impact Clinic and proud that a UNH student team in the Clinic (Sam Gobeil, Caitlin Barton, Sarah Jensen, Andrew Otersen; led by business advisor Benn Marine) helped them on this journey. Chauncey Erskine, who worked with the team added, “In a sea of greenwashing and virtue signaling, B Corp certification is a way for businesses and conscious consumers to rise above and set sail towards a more sustainable future.” Be sure to give their blog about their certification a read! Fiona Wilson Alexis Dwyer #sustainability #sustainabilityeducation #bcorp

We're excited to share that the NH Food Alliance, a food-system focused community outreach program of the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire, and the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food have been tapped to develop the state’s first-ever strategic plan in support of farmers, fishermen and consumers. Spearheaded by the NH Food Alliance, in partnership with the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, UNH Cooperative Extension, the NH Agricultural Experiment Station and more than 30 other food system organizations, the strategic plan will align the food community, and those who want to strengthen it, streamlining the ability to obtain funding, pass beneficial legislation, develop programs, invest in infrastructure and build networks in support of a thriving, fair and sustainable local food system in the state. "We know we can accomplish more if we’re operating from the same playbook, ensuring that we can grow and consume more of our own food here in the Granite State,” said Nicole Cardwell, program director for the NH Food Alliance. The NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan will include 27 informational briefs that closely examine the products, markets and issues pivotal to creating a thriving food system in New Hampshire. The public is invited to get involved in the planning process by providing feedback on the product, market and issue briefs during the open comment periods, which will be staggered between September and December 2024. Read on to learn more about the strategic plan and to sign up to participate in the public comment period. Photo credit: Katie Goodall, Ink Light Creative Fiona Wilson Alexis Dwyer Nicole Tocco Cardwell Colleen Jennings UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. #sustainability #sustainablefoodsystems #sustainablefood #localfood

Congrats Victoria Drake, we're proud of your openness to take on new and challenging work, apply your knowledge, and grow in new and unexpected ways in order to contribute to sustainability projects. Thanks to our long-time partner, Prime Buchholz LLC for providing incredible hands-on learning opportunities for UNH students! Fiona Wilson Alexis Dwyer #sustainability #sustainabilityeducation #highereducation

Last year, we proudly welcomed 50 first-year Changemaker Fellows to our community. Changemaker Coaches (former Fellows) offer peer mentorship, provide exposure to a variety of opportunities to engage in sustainability on campus - including clubs, courses, hands-on programs, events - and help first-years make the most of their UNH experience. We're excited to welcome the next cohort of incoming first-year Fellows! Fiona Wilson Alexis Dwyer #sustainabilityeducation #peereducation #sustainability

Natalie Young ’25 (Equine Studies and Sustainability Dual Major) spent the summer as the Sustainability Fellow at Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership. Hurricane Island is an off-the-grid island located in coastal Maine focused on providing experimental learning opportunities to spark the next generation of STEM innovators and leaders. The island is energy independent and has agriculture, aquaculture, and research lab facilities that it uses to immerse students in hands-on learning and leadership development.    The Fellowship had been on Natalie’s bucket list since she started at UNH. “During my time on the island, I learned more about myself, my role, and my mission in life. This was a tremendous experience. I am so thankful to have been able to work and live in the wonderful community of Hurricane Island!”   We went to visit Natalie this summer on the island, where we were treated to a fascinating tour of the island led by Natalie! Read about our day and Natalie’s summer experience. Fiona Wilson Alexis Dwyer UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture #sustainabilityeducation #sustainability #highereducation