Office of Sustainability and the Environment

Students looking at insects through a microscope

Solving Grand Challenges

Balancing human and environmental wellbeing.

Welcome to the Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OSE)

The OSE serves as a central resource for integrating sustainability into the University of Iowa’s operations, academics, research, and community engagement. Through collaborative partnerships, innovative initiatives, and educational opportunities, the OSE connects the campus community and empowers Hawkeyes to make informed decisions that drive meaningful, lasting impact.

Students observing water samples from a creek

Find Sustainability Degrees and Research Programs

Search sustainability-related majors, minors, certificates, and research centers

Students tossing graduation caps on Pentacrest at sunset

Add a Sustainability Certificate to Any Major

Give your resume a competitive edge with practical, future-focused skills employees are looking for

Take a Sustainability focused Course

Find a Class

Explore Sustainability Initiatives at UI

Students help sort waste at President's Block Party

See Waste Information

Bee campus sign in front of pollinator garden at Catlett/Chemistry

Explore Outdoor Spaces

Student holding earth everyday sign on Pentacrest

Find Jobs and Internships

Office of Sustainability staff give away plants at UI Library patio

Sustainable Living Tips

News

Tree sapling growing in the Miyawaki Forest

UI to plant second Miyawaki Forest on Arbor Day

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Tony Senio standing in from of the Prairie Restoration sign with the dormant prairie in the background

Grounds manager blends passion for the environment with a career in Athletics

Friday, March 27, 2026

K-12 students standing outside looking at worksheets and flood model

Iowa Flood Center Offers New Classroom Resources

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Events

Levitt Lecture | Sandra Sawatzky

Thursday, April 16, 2026 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Stanley Museum of Art

Canadian artist, filmmaker, and environmentalist Sandra Sawatzky will be in Iowa City to speak about her monumental 220-foot, hand-embroidered narrative, The Black Gold Tapestry, currently on view at the Stanley Museum of Art.

Sawatzky will share details of the nine-year process behind the creation this intricate masterpiece that traces the global history of oil. UI faculty members, Hope Tucker (Associate Professor, Cinematic Arts) and R. Tyler Priest (Associate Professor, History) will join...

Earth Day Performance: Jim Swim & Daniel Xavier & Co.

Thursday, April 16, 2026 7:30pm to 10:00pm

Trumpet Blossom Cafe

SCOPE: Earth Day Show with Jim Swim and Daniel.Xavier & Co.

Sustainability Case Competition

Friday, April 17 to Saturday, April 18, 2026 (all day)

Pappajohn Business Building

The Tippie Sustainability Case Competition will challenge teams of UI undergraduate students to integrate knowledge from business and sustainability disciplines to solve a real sustainability challenge facing organizations today.

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