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.

Take a Sustainability focused Course

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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
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Office of Sustainability staff give away plants at UI Library patio
Sustainable Living Tips

Events

Summer Bird Banding promotional image

Summer Bird Banding

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 7:30am to 9:30am
Macbride Nature Recreation Area - Iowa Raptor Project Parking Area
Summer Bird Banding
Archaeology at Iowa Project AWARE: The Turkey River Winnebago Subagency promotional image

Archaeology at Iowa Project AWARE: The Turkey River Winnebago Subagency

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 7:30pm
Elkader City Park
On Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30pm, Cindy Peterson from the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist will present Archaeology of the Turkey River Winnebago Subagency at Elkader City Park.
Grandparents University®: Discover Your Watershed promotional image

Grandparents University®: Discover Your Watershed

Thursday, July 16, 2026 8:00am to 4:30pm
Hydraulics Wind Tunnel Annex

Hawkeye grandparents and grandchildren, ages 8-14 years old, can experience student life together while taking part in educational, fun, and unique activities.

Explore extreme weather events, particularly flooding, as well as water-quality challenges in Iowa. Design your own watershed systems, experimenting with different materials to discover how to reduce flood impacts and agricultural runoff to protect clean water. By the end, you will better understand how land-use practices impact flooding...

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Volunteers planting Miyawaki Forest