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 has ranked among the top colleges in the nation for sustainability curriculum—it’s infused in everything we do. And as part of our liberal arts core, students have at least five classes with an environmental focus. We give our graduates 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 to 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 get involved with our gardens, compost crew, or the Food Recovery Network. How we do it»
Climate change issues are woven through many of our courses, and for a deeper dive, you can choose to study in our climate science program. 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 program, Northland’s Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation conducts research and does policy work. They’ve offered a research track that grows with our student researchers’ 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. It’s 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. Over the years, we’ve been able to divert things people don’t need from the landfill and help others put them to good 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 toward sustainable living, this is the group for you. Think unplugged nights around the bonfire and eco-lympics. Learn more»
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education has ranked Northland #1 in the nation for curriculum related to sustainability. It’s no surprise—we made history as the first college in the country to fully integrate an environmental focus with its liberal arts curriculum. We’ve set the standard with our academic programs. Read more»
Emma Holtan ’20 was a water science student 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»
We’re committed to serving real food and value humane treatment of animals, organic, fair labor standards, and local as metrics for evaluating the food we purchase. 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 ecologically- 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»
Northland’s sustainable community development major is one of the first of its kind in the nation. We look at the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, and economic) and combine the concepts of community organizing, urban planning, economic development, and ecological restoration.
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.
Students and researchers have worked 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»
Northland students voted to invest in solar shares to 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 seventeen ways we’ve done 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 program. Read more»
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 stadium—and provides incentives like installing rain gardens that help capture stormwater. Read more»
Northland’s water science program 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»
East Boston is situated on the front line of climate change. Made up of five islands joined by landfill, East Boston is a peninsula that…
Matthew Toavs ’98 has played many roles at Whole Foods Market since he got his first position in 2001 as a bulk buyer for the…
Abby Rose Weglarz ’08 will be the first to tell you that the fashion industry is the second most destructive industry in the world, next…
Aaron Schreiber-Stainthorp ’05 has helped twenty-plus wineries implement water conservation and zero waste programs, improve winery energy efficiency, and he led the Francis Ford Coppola…
This weekend I picked up environmental journalist Amanda Little’s new book, The Fate of Food: What We’ll Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World. She…
As an environmental and social justice solutions strategist in Vermont, Jenn Wood ’00 is focused on energy conservation and supporting low-income communities that will be…
After college, Audra (Jung) Willing ‘ 05 moved to Seattle to work for the National Outdoor Leadership School as a wilderness field instructor and later…
Carl Sack ’06 has always loved maps. As a teenager, he got into orienteering, which uses detailed topographic maps, and he was hooked for life…
Alex Alvarez ’85 majored in sociology and outdoor education at Northland College and went on to pursue sociology at the University of New Hampshire. He…
