The JMU Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World builds an environmentally literate community through teaching, research, engagement and operations.
Taking action for the environment
Since 2011, the ISNW has adopted Environmental Stewardship Actions Plans with our stakeholders. Additionally, goals and objectives for environmental sustainability are included in the University Strategic Plan, Campus Master Plan, Facilities Management Sustainability Plan, Okanagan Charter and others.
Gaining national recognition
JMU receives national and statewide recognition for our sustainability achievements. The university has a Gold rating in STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, which measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. Additionally, JMU has been included in every edition of the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges since it was started in 2010 and maintains status as a Bee Campus, Tree Campus, and Bicycle Friendly University.
Creating campus culture
Our mission is to create an institutional culture of sustainability, and many of our initiatives are collaborations with campus partners. Check out Dukes Ride, a movement to shift student commuting behaviors from driving to riding the bus.
Preparing every student
The university fosters interdisciplinary education, literacy and research in sustainability. Environmental minors and concentrations, sustainability-focused courses, and experiential learning through study abroad, community service and civic engagement programs prepare any student to tackle environmental challenges.
7
Environmental
MINORS
7
Environmental
CONCENTRATIONS
80+
Environmental
COURSES
Addressing campus environmental impact
Many JMU departments work together to address our campus impact on the environment, from energy and water to dining, transportation, recycling and landscaping.
Measuring our progress
Every three years, the ISNW collects information about the university's performance in the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability and assembles a submission to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System - an external, transparent self reporting tool. In addition to receiving recognition for report accuracy, JMU has twice received a Gold rating.
For over a decade, we have assessed JMU students' environmental behaviors; environmental perceptions, beliefts and values; and environmental knowledge and reasoning skills. The assessment findings inform planning and programming at JMU to support student achievement of the university's environmental stewardship learning outcomes for all undergraduate students.
