Environmental Studies Program

“Colby College is committed to nurturing environmental awareness through its academic program as well as through its activities on campus and beyond. As a local and global environmental citizen, the College adheres to the core values of respect for the environment and sustainable living. Colby seeks to lead by example and fosters morally responsible environmental stewardship. Environmentally safe practices inform and guide campus strategic planning, decision making, and daily operations. We urge community members to recognize personal and institutional responsibilities for reducing impact on the local and global environment. Finally, we recognize that achieving environmental sustainability will be an ongoing challenge that evolves as we become more aware and educated as a community.”

The Environmental Advisory Group (EAG) was formed in 2000 to advise the president and College community on issues related to the environmental stewardship of the campus and region. EAG hopes to use this site as an information resource to raise awareness about ongoing environmental initiatives, to promote environmental consciousness, and to show on- and off-campus audiences that Colby is actively addressing environmental concerns.

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Mission

The Environmental Advisory Group will advise the president and the community on issues related to the environmental stewardship of the campus and region. In support of sustainable campus greening efforts, the EAG will: 

1. Encourage teaching and learning about a broad range of environmental issues;

2. Gather and help disseminate to the community information regarding environmental issues;

3. Promote conservation of resources, energy efficiency, waste reduction, pollution prevention, and other sustainability issues on campus and with outside contractors with whom the College does business;

4. Help preserve and enhance the beauty and integrity of the College’s outdoor environment;

5. Identify, investigate, and formulate recommendations regarding campus environmental issues and, when appropriate, issues beyond the campus, being sure to consider any social justice implications;

6. Cooperate with faculty who wish to include a campus environmental component in their courses or sponsored independent projects;

7. Identify and recommend prioritization of projects that the College might undertake to reduce its environmental impact;

8. Identify and use quantitative assessment methods for each initiative undertaken to the extent possible;

9. Encourage members of the community to take personal responsibility for reducing their impact on the local and global environment.

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Members