Northland College cares about the air, land, water, and people of the region. Our goal is to prepare you for an environmentally friendly life and career.
There’s a reason why Northland ranks first in the nation for sustainability curriculum—it infuses everything we do. And as part of your liberal arts core, you’ll have at least five classes with an environmental focus. We give you tools to excel in a greening world. How we do it»
If you have big questions—like, how to solve the world’s plastic problem—you’ll likely be able to research the answers. Northland is one of the best schools for research experiences due our location, committed faculty, and our wide breadth of national, state, and regional partners. How we do it»
We care about food—where it comes from, how it’s raised, and the socio- and environmental impacts. Just by eating in our dining hall, you’re creating change. Beyond that, you can minor in sustainable agriculture and get involved with our gardens, compost crew, or the Food Recovery Network. How we do it»
Climate change issues weave through many of our courses, and for a deeper dive, you can major in climate science or tack on a minor in climate change studies. We’ve taken a stand by divesting from fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy, and looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. How we do it»
Resilient and just communities are key to addressing the challenges of the future. It’s important that we incorporate themes of social justice throughout our coursework. Northland’s faculty is passionate about community, place, and equity. Expect lively discourse in all corners of campus. How we do it»
The health and usage of freshwater resources is one of our greatest global challenges. In addition to our water science major, Northland’s Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation conducts research and does policy work. They offer a research tract that grows with your skills. How we do it»
Do you dream of projects you’d like to make happen–like creating rain gardens or installing bike racks? Northland’s REFund program doles out $45,000 each year for student-initiated sustainability projects on campus. Learn more»
For a more civic-minded option, consider running for a position that lets you discuss environmental issues at the campus, community, national, and global level. A great way to participate in local activism. Learn more»
We’re a bike-friendly campus, big on alternative transportation. The bike shop loans out bikes on a semester basis and provides basic bike maintenance and repair. Consider leaving your car at home! Learn more»
Our student-run thrift store lets you pick up clothing, household items, books, and other goods at no charge. It’s also a great place to make donations of things you no longer use. Learn more»
Be a part of this nationwide, student-led movement that packages leftover cafeteria food for distribution to those in need. It’s a beautiful combination of preventing food waste and promoting social justice. Learn more»
If you like coming up with fun ways to encourage all of us to make small changes towards sustainable living, this is the group for you. Think unplugged nites around the bonfire and eco-lympics. Learn more»
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education ranks Northland #1 in the nation for curriculum related to sustainability. We’re setting the standard with over 40 areas of study including sustainable community development, climate science, sustainable business, sociology and social justice, sustainable agriculture, climate change studies, and two first-year student tracks focused on food and Lake Superior. Read more»
Emma Holtan is a water science major interested in mental and physical health. Funded by a Northland program to allow students to travel and pursue opportunities, she traveled to the Reciprocal Healing Confluence. Read more»
Students and researchers are working with the National Park Service, as well as state and tribal agencies, maintaining camera traps and collecting scat in the park to document the elusive and endangered American marten. Read more»
We’ve signed on to the Real Food Challenge to achieve 20 percent “real food” by 2020. To complement this goal, Northland students manage several campus gardens–growing, harvesting, and distributing organic food to campus and beyond. These living green spaces teach ecological and regionally appropriate food systems and provide an outdoor laboratory for discovery. Read more»
Northland business students teamed up with our on-campus food lab to create and market value-aded hazelnut products—a local crop that is gaining momentum as a sustainable farming solution. The American Hazelnut Company heard pitches for original creations like vegan ice cream, protein energy balls, and gluten-free cookie dough. Read more»
Our sustainable agriculture minor gets you out into the field, working with local farmers and community food-based partners. Learn about production and distribution of food through field trips, working in the campus gardens, and experimenting in our incredible food lab. For a well rounded approach, we look at issues from the humanities, social science, and natural science perspectives. Read more»
Northland students voted to invest in solar shares that will help power our science center and greenhouse. The $32,000 price tag was taken care of by Northland’s Renewable Energy Fund (REFund), a student-administered grant program that has funded a long list of projects designed to enhance sustainability and increase energy efficiency on campus. Read more»
We don’t just talk about climate change–we work to remediate it every way we can. Here are 17 ways we’re doing our part. Read more»
For students who want to dive deep into the science of climate change—including policy, economics, climate models, and mitigation—consider Northland’s climate science major or climate change studies minor. Read more»
Recognizing that rural communities often struggle with social and economic challenges, Northland’s Center for Rural Communities applies research based solutions to these challenges and promotes the long-term health and vitality of communities. As a student, you’ll find work and research opportunities that get you out into communities doing groundwork that matters. Read more»
As an outdoor education student, you can help show area middle school kids the importance of connecting with nature through the Apostle Islands School. Kids put away their electronic devices for a wilderness camping trip and engage in exploratory learning with Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. Programming is student-led in partnership with the National Park Service and Friends of the Apostle Islands.
To help preserve our world’s water resources, Northland’s Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation combines education, research, and outreach programs to give you experience in water science and policy. Help develop solutions to water resource problems and bring experts together to implement change. Read more»
In 2018, Northland adopted a Zero Stormwater Discharge policy, which means we’re committed to managing all rainfall runoff on campus. This initiative drives all of our construction projects—including our new stadium—and provides incentives like installing rain gardens that help capture stormwater. Read more»
Northland’s water science major gives you the skills to understand the chemistry, biology, and movement of water in the environment. You’ll also gain a deep appreciation for how we are connected to each other and the Earth through water. You’ll study geologic, hydrologic, and atmospheric processes and learn the role people play in water quality. Read more»
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This weekend I picked up environmental journalist Amanda Little’s new book, The…
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