Nov. 18:
Greener Virginia-CommonHealth workshop, USB 102, 1-3pm

Earth Portal

The Earth Portal is a comprehensive resource for timely, objective, science-based information about the environment.

The university will be an environmentally literate community whose members think critically and act, individually and collectively, as model stewards of the natural world. – A JMU Defining Characteristic

About the Institute

Overview

The role of the ISNW is to facilitate sustainability by coordinating environmental stewardship efforts across campus, advocating for priorities, and challenging all members of the James Madison community to think critically about their role in achieving the long-term stewardship of Earth. The ISNW serves as an internal and external point of contact for university-wide environmental stewardship activities. In fall 2008, an ISNW office was established in Maury Hall with an executive director, assistant, and student staff. Cross-divisional committees have been formed to recommend environmental stewardship actions in critical areas: awareness, education & research, operations, campus accessibility, and policies & practices.

ISNW Committee Work

History

JMU has a long history of contribution to environmental stewardship, including its signature of the Talloires Declaration and adoption of biodiesel fuel. 2007 marked a milestone year for JMU's environmental stewardship efforts as President Rose committed the campus as a whole to environmental stewardship. In April 2007, Dr. Rose elevated Provost Brown's Campus Sustainability Working Group to the President's Commission on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability. The President's Commission on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability issued a report later that year charting a course forward for the university, and President Rose signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). An administrative organization for campus environmental stewardship, the Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World was created. In 2009, a campus emissions inventory was completed and a JMU defining characteristic was adopted: "The university will be an environmentally literate community whose members think critically and act, individually and collectively, as model stewards of the natural world."

We invite you to learn more about these important milestones:

Talloires Declaration

President's Commission Charge
1. Evaluating JMU's current policies and practices as they affect sustainability.
2. Exploring opportunities and options to make JMU a "green" university.
3. Proposing a path forward to institutionalize sustainability efforts on campus.

Commission Members

President's Commission Final Report

President's Climate Commitment

JMU Emissions Inventory

JMU environmental stewardship defining characteristics, vision, and goal

RecycleMania at JMU 2009, Third in State - Waste Minimization

No Drive Day 2008

Campus Sustainability Day 2008: Trash Sort and Sustainable Business Competition Announcement