Environmental responsibility is imperative to the health and well-being of our campus, our community, and our planet.
It is achieved through collaborative actions taken across multiple areas of our university, from the buildings we work, live, and study in, to academic and research opportunities, to the food in our dining halls. St. Edward’s recognizes its responsibility in educating and empowering the university community to work together for a more sustainable hilltop.
Explore and Learn About Sustainability, Both on Campus and Around the World
Here are a few highlights we’re particularly proud of:
- Named a Tree Campus Higher Education campus in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
- Chosen among colleges and universities worldwide for The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
- Proud member of the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition, an association of local area governments and other entities to discuss policies and best practices related to local air quality.
- Proud member of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas, a non-profit organization representing business, government, academic, civic, environmental, and health interests throughout Central Texas, with a special focus on air quality.
- Proud member of the Texas Regional Association of Campus Sustainability (TRACS), including membership on student and executive boards.
- Having the Campus Garden and Food Forest as community event sites in the City of Austin's Roots & Wings Festival in 2022 and 2023.
- The beloved Sorin Oak was recognized as the Austin Tree of the Year (large tree) in 2022 and the St. Joseph HIll Twisted Oak (unique tree) was recognized in 2023.
- Proud to have students and faculty recognized by Air Central Texas as leaders in research, instruction, and student advocacy in 2022 and 2023!
A Green, Sustainable Campus
St. Edward's is committed to creating and maintaining a sustainable campus. Our green practices include eco-friendly building construction and landscaping, recycling and composting, experiential learning with our campus as a "living laboratory," and student involvement in organizations such as Students for Sustainability. We also have a student-run Campus Garden and adjacent to that, a Food Forest, where students can gather, learn and enjoy nature.
Sustainability Team
AVP of Operations & Sustainability Coordinator
Jim Morris
Morris oversees the maintenance operations for the university, including energy management, landscape services, custodial services, and the various building systems. He has input and oversight responsibilities with projects ranging from minor repairs to larger renovations. Prior to coming to St. Edward's, Morris oversaw environmental and energy management in a large public school system and had significant involvement with the development of energy conservation, renewable energy initiatives, student outreach, and sustainability.
University Arborist/Sustainability Coordinator
Roy Johnson
A certified arborist, Johnson manages the campus tree-care plan, maintains our landscapes, and serves on the Tree Campus USA committee. Johnson has kickstarted sustainability projects in his area including the Grounds for Grounds project that turns used coffee grounds from campus cafes and Jo's Coffee into compost and turning landscape waste into compost or mulch that is used right here on campus. He also was the visionary who created the campus Food Forest, a teaching space adjacent to the Campus Garden.
Sustainability Social Media Intern
Bella McClelland
Bella oversees the Office of Sustainability social media accounts, content creation, and promotional materials, and is assigned tasks each week by University AVP of Operations, Jim Morris, with the goal of increasing sustainability initiatives and awareness on the Hilltop. Bella is currently a senior, majoring in Communication and Advertising, and plans to graduate Spring 2024! Bella is currently also SEU representative and Social Media Intern for Austin Reuse Coalition, local non-profit with a mission to create a more sustainable Austin.