Time to register for courses? Consider taking sustainability courses or courses that include sustainability! The Office of Sustainability tracks these courses for the University.
Office of Sustainability
Updates
The Office of Sustainability will have variable in-person hours for the indefinite future, but is open virtually during normal business hours. Please subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates or email sustainability@ohio.edu with questions.
What is Sustainability
Ohio University defines sustainability as the capacity to simultaneously benefit people, the planet and prosperity now and in the future. Life-cycle analysis, life-cycle costing, social financial proxies, and multi-criteria decision analyses are tools that are used to evaluate sustainability. Also used at Ohio University is a popular but less actionable definition, adapted from the Bruntland definition of sustainable development: sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Mission
Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability facilitates the implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan by providing services and support to the campus community and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being.
Take the virtual College Green Tree Tour
Learn about the amazing variety of trees around Athens and discover ways to identify different species:
News and Announcements
Bobcats get ready to celebrate Thanksgivin...
December 4, 2025
Bobcats are ready for Thanksgiving break, a five-day weekend filled with rest in preparation of finals week starting Dec. 8.
While some students make the journey home to celebrate with loved ones around the dinner table, others remain in town for the holiday.
For those staying in town, Ohio University is hosting a variety of celebrations, including community dinners and themed meals. Nov. 26, the Patton College of Education is hosting a Home Away From Home Holiday Meal in Patton Hall room 120 on 100 E. Union St. from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Registration ends at noon Nov. 21.
The Home Away From Home Meal provides 150 traditional and international meals for dine-in or take-out and accommodates those with dietary restrictions. Along with traditional Thanksgiving foods, the event includes vegetarian, halal and vegan options, such as a quinoa dish and vegan chocolate brownies.
Ohio travel guideThe Sustainable Thanksgiving Dinner invites all Bobcats to enjoy a vegan and vegetarian potluck Nov. 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., hosted by the Office of Sustainability. Students are encouraged to bring a dish and share a recipe, though bringing food is not required.
Supporting sustainable transportation: OHI...
November 19, 2025
At Ohio University, bicycling is a sustainable means of commuting to and from campus and across Athens. Whether cyclists are riding in the bike lanes uptown, passing through one of the picturesque residence hall greens(opens in a new window) or pedaling down the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway(opens in a new window), using a bicycle for transportation is cheaper, better for the environment and healthier than using an automobile.
The League of American Bicyclists(opens in a new window), the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike, has honored Ohio University with a silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award(opens in a new window) in recognition of OHIO’s continued achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.
OU trees reveal historical roots, green fu...
October 29, 2025
For nine years, Ohio University has been recognized as a “Tree Campus USA,” a national recognition program by the Arbor Day Foundation that seeks to support colleges and universities in planting and celebrating trees.
This award may come as no surprise, for the cherry blossom trees along the Hocking River always bring crowds excited to take pictures of the spring blossoms.
However, the main draw for Bobcats and locals is the trees on College Green. In the winter, the barren trees lay in a stark landscape against grey, snowy skies. In the fall, they glimmer with oranges and yellows, leaving crushed brown leaves underfoot.
Upcoming Events
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Office of Sustainability Featured Programs
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Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors
The Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors program is an initiative of the Sustainable Administration Hub. The Ambassadors are an energetic and enthusiastic group of students who assist in the implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. You can find them leading the Earth Day Sustainability Parade; instructing Bobcats fans on proper disposal of game day waste; teaching in the local middle schools; labeling our storm drains with "drains to river" markers; and more!
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Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP)
The Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP) is a sustainability certification program which aims to recognize departments or offices across campus for their sustainable efforts, whether they be existing practices or new changes.
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Sustainability Project Laboratory
Students, do you need an idea for a course project or thesis? Faculty, are you looking for project ideas for a project-based course? Our Sustainability Project Laboratory may have the projects you are looking for! These projects are designed to advance goals in the Ohio University Sustainability & Climate Action Plan while providing experiential and/or community-engaged learning opportunties for students.
Sustainability Hubs
We welcome participants to our Sustainability Hubs! The dates and topics for the Hub Seminar Series can be found on the Calendar of University events. For more information, please sign up for our newsletter or visit our Hub webpages. For other sustainability events, please visit the Calendar of University events, and search using the keyword "sustainability."