Links to the Environmental Community
A special feature of the Environmental Policy and Culture program is the set of connections that the program is nurturing with other environmental programs and institutions. These links provide a wealth of opportunities for Northwestern University students to augment their educational efforts in both formal and informal ways. The EPC program is creating a set of field research, internship, and independent study options for Northwestern students.
On Campus
ECO (Environmental Campus Outreach at Hillel) http://www.nuhillel.org/art.php?t=hillel_Students&id=4 is a group committed to teaching Jews and non-Jews alike about the importance of caring for our earth. They help other Hillel communities to hold events that educate about consuming less, using less electricity and producing less waste.
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW-USA) http://msgroups.tech.northwestern.edu/esw/ is a student group that focuses on the challenges of long-term, sustainable development by seeking lasting solutions for reducing poverty, and by working to improve environmental, social, and economic sustainability worldwide.
GREEN House (Group Residence for Environmental Engagement at Northwestern) http://www.northwestern.edu/magazine/winter2008/studentlife/GREEN.html
opened this fall as an environmentally themed living community whose mission is to act in ways that will protect and sustain our planet. Last summer, dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and faucets, compact fluorescent light bulbs and motion sensors on lights in the bathrooms and laundry room were installed. Proposals for solar paneling on the roof and composting are being considered. The current residents, which total around forty, are setting examples for the rest of the student body by educating and inspiring them to think more about the environment.
ISEN (Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern University) http://www.isen.northwestern.edu/ was established in 2008 by President Henry Bienen as an umbrella organization for supporting and enhancing NU’s research, teaching and outreach activities in the areas of energy and sustainability. ISEN's mission is to create, advance and communicate new science, technology, and policy for sustainability and energy. Its particular focus is on sustainable energy supply, demand and use.
SEED (Students for Ecological and Environmental Development) http://groups.northwestern.edu/seed/ SEED's history goes back to before the first Earth Day. In fact the basic kick-off for the first Earth Day was a major event held on our campus, sponsored and organized by SEED. SEED's mission is to inspire and lead environmental stewardship and advocacy. The students from SEED are responsible for advocating for the creation of the Environmental Policy and Culture Program, and for GREEN House
SWaG (Northwestern University Sustainability Working Group) is composed of Northwestern student groups, faculty, and administrative departments that seek to increase communication, support, and collaboration regarding sustainability and environmental issues on campus.
Local Organizations
An important link of EPC to the community is through the organization known as Chicago Wilderness (http://www.chicagowilderness.org).
The Chicago Wilderness coalition consists of public and private groups
and institutions dedicated to study, protect and maintain the rich
biological diversity of the Chicago region. Northwestern University is a member of the coalition. While the title to the organization may seem
like an oxymoron, the basic premise is that the Chicago region has a
richer ecosystem than almost any area in the American Midwest.
Two of the larger and richer components of this Chicago Wilderness
are the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (http://www.fs.fed.us/mntp/)
and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (http://www.nps.gov/indu/). The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is the former Joliet Arsenal land, being restored to native habitat. While the U.S. Forest Service manages the Prairie, the success of this undertaking is dependent on volunteered
efforts of many groups, including Northwestern students. The area encompassed by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is where the science
of ecology had important beginnings. Northwestern students have opportunities with the national park itself, and also with the U.S.
Geological Survey ecology research group located at the Dunes.
EPC is also in close contact with other local organizations including:
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (http://www.cnt.org/) is
a national leader in promoting urban sustainability. CNT is a creative
think-and-do tank that combines rigorous research with effective
solutions. CNT works across disciplines and issues, including
transportation and community development, energy, natural resources,
and climate change.
The Chicago Botanic Gardens (http://www.chicago-botanic.org/) is also a research institution with a global reach. With the new Chicago Botanic Garden-Northwestern University joint degree program in Plant Biology and Conservation, there are going to be increased opportunities for Northwestern students with the Botanic Gardens.
The US Forest Service has a research station located on campus, in the Industrial Park. The North Central Research Station (http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/4902/) is a social science research group primarily devoted to research on natural environments for urban populations. Researchers from the Station are adjunct faculty in WCAS and teach courses in EPC.
Other important environmental organizations and resources in the area include:
Argonne National Laboratory (http://www.anl.gov) is a great research center. It is one of the premier DOE national laboratories. While it is primarily known for energy research, Argonne is also a center for critical environmental research.
Brookfield Zoo (http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/) is a research zoo, which plays a major role in global efforts for species survival and wildlife recovery, as well as having excellent programs of environmental education.
The Chicago Audubon Society (http://www.audubon.org/local/chicago/ and http://www.chicagoaudubon.org/) plays a very important role in environmental protection. Many Northwestern students have been involved in the North Branch prairie restoration efforts led by Audubon Chicago Region.
The recently reconstructed Evanston Ecology Center (http://www.laddarboretum.org/whoweare.htm), along the canal, concentrates many environmental efforts within Evanston. This center has excellent environmental education programs.
The Field Museum (http://www.fieldmuseum.org/) is a major research institution, in addition to being a repository for natural history and culture. It is involved in research and restoration efforts around the globe, from New Guinea to lowland Peru. There are many existing connections between Northwestern and the Field Museum, with the potential for more.
The Lake Michigan Federation (http://www.lakemichigan.org/) and the Open Lands Project (http://www.openlands.org/) are advocacy organizations, which are directly or indirectly responsible for successes in preserving important parts of the Chicago wilderness. These citizen organizations are pioneering environmental groups.
The Lincoln Park Zoo (http://www.lpzoo.org/) is one of the largest zoo-based conservation and science programs in the country. They conduct innovative research on wildlife management and conservation. The Lincoln Park Zoo also serves to educate the public about the importance of protecting our earth’s biodiversity.
