The University of Mary Washington: A Commitment to Sustainability
What is Sustainability?
Definition according to EPA
Our Mission:
At the University of Mary Washington, we are dedicated to sustainable practices in all our endeavors.
Every decision we make regarding our mission and management impacts not only the present but also our future. We aim to manage resources, plan for growth, and foster relationships locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in a manner that meets current social, economic and environmental needs without compromising the ability to meet future needs for the University, the Commonwealth of Virginia and Mother Earth.
Join us on the journey!
Sustainability Office Goals, Broader Mission & Strategic Framework.
- Elevate Environmental Performance: Implement and oversee the Sustainability & Climate Action Plan at UMW, continually updating and monitoring goals and benchmarks. (Next update: Spring 2025.)
- Embed Sustainability Across Campus: Actively incorporate sustainability principles into the daily responsibilities of faculty, students, and staff.
- Infuse Sustainability into Academics: Create a dynamic learning environment where operations, teaching, and research intersect, allowing students to apply sustainability concepts in practical settings.
- Cultivate Inclusive Sustainability: Advance diverse cultural perspectives on environmental stewardship, champion social justice and anti-racism, and enhance multicultural inclusion in sustainability efforts across campus.
- Centralize Communication and Highlight Achievements: Establish a central hub for coordinating campus sustainability activities, educational initiatives, significant achievements, reporting, and national rankings.
Specific Actionable Goals.
- Achieve Campus Decarbonization: Work towards a sustainable, accessible, and fossil-free future.
- Foster Climate-Resilient Communities: Build communities that are prepared and resilient in the face of climate change.
- Manage Land and Water Resources: Ensure the responsible stewardship of land and water to support healthy ecosystems, balancing these needs with infrastructure development.
- Promote a Circular Economy: Encourage sustainable consumption practices and reduce waste through innovative solutions.
Our Team
Name: Holly Chichester-Morby,
Title: Director, Landscape and Grounds
Email: hchiches@umw.edu
Contact: (540) 654-2088
UMW Sustainability Interns
UMW Sustainability interns work hard to make UMW a more sustainable campus, implement new projects, encourage student involvement and more. Interested in becoming an intern? Positions open up on a yearly basis, so check out Handshake or email us at sustainability@umw.edu
Picture yourself here!
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| Sustainability Programs Intern |
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Sustainability Outreach Intern
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Gardens & Grounds Intern |
EcoReps:
The UMW Eco-Reps are student volunteers within the UMW Office of Sustainability who help make out mission to become a more sustainable school in action! They solicit change through education and awareness at events, supporting research with our intern initiatives and more. EcoReps and the rest of the Office of Sustainability have a meeting once a month to catch up on events coming up and group projects. Click HERE to learn more! HERE is all the info on initiatives going on on campus & leader contacts [NOTE: this initiative list is constantly changing so keep checking in our come to out monthly meetings].