Campus Sustainability: Our Future is Now.
Our school colors may be red and black, but Huskies believe in being green.
Solar panels. EV chargers. Solar benches. Giant ice tanks.
It seems like everywhere you look on campus, workers are adding new improvements to campus facilities. That’s because NIU is taking visible steps every day toward a more sustainable future.
NIU is committed to being carbon neutral by 2050 and we’re taking significant steps to make it happen. Our Sustainability and Climate Action Plan outlines the many efforts currently underway and lays out future plans that will continue making us an eco-friendly campus and environmentally conscious citizens.
Students in several of our academic programs are conducting research and learning with our dedicated faculty who study sustainability, clean energy, water quality, ecosystem preservation, prairie restoration and more. These programs will soon be housed together in a new state-of-the-art facility—the Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability. We’re excited about the opportunity to expand existing and to create new, innovative ways for Huskies to be environmentally focused.
One innovative program currently underway is our Edible Campus initiative that consists of several gardens located throughout campus. These gardens provide Huskies with fresh fruits and vegetables through Campus Dining Services and at the Huskie Food Pantry. Volunteering with our Edible Campus program lets you get your hands dirty while keeping our environment clean and our community healthy. It’s one of many ways you can get involved, give back and learn by doing.
As a student you can participate in all the innovative things mentioned above and more. We also have environmental student organizations, beautiful campus spaces and sustainable practices that will make you proud to wear Red and Black while being green.
Easy Things To Do To Be Green
- Bring a reusable water bottle to campus and access our water filling station in the Holmes Student Center.
- Recycle plastic, glass, metal, paper and other common products. Learn more about recycling at NIU.
- Check out Carpool Connections to find other Huskies you can commute to campus with.
- Take advantage of public transportation and use the Huskie Bus Line to get around campus and the DeKalb community.
Huskie Spotlight
"My favorite spot is the lagoon on campus. Currently, we are working on the lagoon as a restoration project. I enjoy working with aquatic and riparian systems the most. I enjoy the environment and I work with it every week."