The students, staff, and faculty of Bard College work together to engage in initiatives—both on and off campus—that reflect the College’s sustainability mission. From the hamlet of Annandale-on-Hudson, in the Town of Red Hook, we connect with the nearby villages of Red Hook, Rhinebeck, and Tivoli, the City of Kingston, and the greater Hudson Valley. Our view of sustainability looks not only toward green initiatives but also to a larger view of the health and wellness of our community. Visit the Wellness Calendar.
Engagement Initiatives
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Campus EngagementEngaging in sustainability issues through cocurricular activities allows students to deepen and apply their understandings of sustainability principles. College-sponsored cocurricular sustainability offerings, often coordinated by the Dean of Student Affairs Office (and partners), help integrate sustainability into the campus culture.
Faculty and staff members’ daily decisions impact an institution’s sustainability performance. Equipping faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability is an essential activity of a sustainable campus.Campus Engagement
Engaging in sustainability issues through cocurricular activities allows students to deepen and apply their understandings of sustainability principles. College-sponsored cocurricular sustainability offerings, often coordinated by the Dean of Student Affairs Office (and partners), help integrate sustainability into the campus culture.
Faculty and staff members’ daily decisions impact an institution’s sustainability performance. Equipping faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability is an essential activity of a sustainable campus.
Faculty and staff members’ daily decisions impact an institution’s sustainability performance. Equipping faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability is an essential activity of a sustainable campus.
Cocurricular programs and initiatives:- Student Clubs (Outdoors Club and more)
- Bard Farm, BardEATS
- SRIC, Sustainability Council
- Race2ZeroWaste and the EcoChallenge/ Drawdown EcoChallenge are celebrated annually
- Student orientation includes a Sustainability Resource Fair and opportunity to become BardE3 Certified
- Programs through which students learn sustainable life skills
- Bard CDO has sustainability-focused student employment opportunities through Handshake
- The Class of 2020 took the first Sustainability Graduation Pledge: "As I graduate from Bard College, I recognize the imperative for the public and private sectors to bolster climate change mitigation efforts. To that end I pledge to weigh the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider. I will endeavor to make mitigation of climate change and a healthier global environment a priority in my work and civic life."
Partners:- EcoChallenge
- Saw Kill Watershed Community
- Ascienzo Foundation
- EcoChallenge
- CURC (formerly the College & University Recycling Coalition)
- AASHE (Association for the Advancement of of Sustainability in Higher Education)
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Public EngagementEngagement in community problem-solving is fundamental to sustainability. By engaging with community members and organizations in the government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, institutions can help meet sustainability challenges. Community engagement can help students develop leadership skills while deepening their understanding of real-world problems and the process of crafting solutions.Public Engagement
Engagement in community problem-solving is fundamental to sustainability. By engaging with community members and organizations in the government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, institutions can help meet sustainability challenges. Community engagement can help students develop leadership skills while deepening their understanding of real-world problems and the process of crafting solutions. Bardians can take meaningful climate action during 2025 by joining the 100 Days Climate Group; email [email protected] for more information.
Bard partners through faculty, staff and student connections with entities, events and campaigns. Partner s include:- Bard CEP and its public programs
- Municipal (Village of Red Hook and Tivoli, Town of Red Hook, Dutchess and Ulster County, City of Kingston)
- Partners: Red Hook Together
- Campaigns: Red Hook Sustainable Community Program
Engagement Spotlight
Helping Amphibians Cross the Road
How did the amphibian cross the road? With help from local volunteers! Our roads run through salamander and frog habitats here in the Hudson Valley, so volunteers from Bard College, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, and other neighboring towns help migrating amphibians cross safely. Volunteers receive training in how to identify and move these amphibians as they make their way to woodland pools to breed on rainy spring nights. Email [email protected] to join the team.