Sustainability

This guide is designed to support interdisciplinary research in sustainability.

Library Research Guide

Sustainability Communities

ATHENAS
"We are apparel and textile (AT) educators, responsible for preparing the next generation of industry professionals. We strive to be forward-thinking, recognizing challenges and opportunities facing our industry and seeking solutions and approaches for inclusion in educational programs to meet the needs of a changing industry. The sustainability challenge provides opportunities to rethink our curriculum, enhancing science knowledge and problem-solving capabilities of our students."
Sustainable Energy
The mission of the Center for Sustainable Energy is that "through research and educational efforts, [the Center] seeks to provide sustainable, renewable energy while maintaining the environment and providing an adequate food supply."
Center for Transportation Research & Training
This website includes information about the Center's projects and research on roundabouts, bicycling, and other transportation issues in Kansas and surrounding states.
Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership
The partnership has been a combination of scholars at Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln as well as additional partners interested in how climate variability and climate change will impact agriculture and rural communities, including the K-State Office of Sustainability.
K-State Research & Extension
Check out the program areas for research specific to agriculture, natural resources, health and wellness, and supporting communities.

Consortium for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
CESAS is network of representatives from partner organizations that initiates and supports sustainability across the disciplines.
K-State 2015 Visionary Plan: Sustainability Planning
Sustainability principles touch all areas of the university mission, including research, curriculum, student life, operations, and engagement.
K-State Office of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability consists of the Director of Sustainability and several student assistants and student interns. The Office of Sustainability strives to increase sustainability initiatives and support sustainability across campus.
K-State Recycling
The recycling program is coordinated through the Division of Facilities. The K-State Recycling Committee seeks to help expand recycling efforts across the campus and by doing so, create a more environmentally friendly campus, minimize the waste stream and decrease waste management costs.
Students for Environmental Action
SEA is a student and community nonprofit organization that acts as a voice for the ecological improvement on environmental issues. Meetings are open to all on Tuesdays at 7:30pm in the Leadership Studies Building.

Kansas Forest Service
"The Agency serves rural landowners, communities, rural fire districts, forest and arboriculture industries, and citizens of the state through its Conservation Tree and Shrub Planting, Fire Management, Community Forestry, Rural Forestry, Marketing and Utilization, and Forest Health programs."
Kansas Land Trust
"Kansas Land Trust partners with landowners, communities and other conservation organizations to protect our State’s most precious resources by conserving lands of ecological, agricultural, scenic, historical and cultural significance in Kansas."
Kansas Natural Resource Council
Founded in 1981, KNRC was the first environmental organization to focus exclusively on Kansas issues. A board of directors from across the state oversees KNRC policy.
Kansas Rural Center
The tagline for the Kansas Rural Center is, "Promoting the health of the land and its people."
Kansas Water Office
The Kansas Water Office is the water planning, policy, coordination and marketing agency for the state.

Earth Day Network
"Earth Day Network’s mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment, address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations."
National Park Service
"The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations."
National Wildlife Federation
"National Wildlife Federation is a voice for wildlife, dedicated to protecting wildlife and habitat and inspiring the future generation of conservationists."
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
"The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to transforming the way our buildings are designed, constructed and operated through LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] — the top third-party verification system for sustainable structures around the world."

Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC)
AgNIC is the Agriculture Network Information Center – a voluntary alliance and partnership of nearly 60 member institutions and organizations working to offer quick and reliable access to quality agricultural information and sources.
Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment
KCARE was established to coordinate and enhance research, extension and teaching activities pertaining to environmental issues related to agriculture.
Kansas Farmers Union
Kansas Farmers Union is billed as the state’s oldest, active general farm organization.
Kansas Grown Farmer's Market
Kansas Grown Farmer's Market seeks to provide area Kansas producers a means of marketing Kansas grown or produced products; and provide an opportunity for consumers to purchase quality products produced and grown in Kansas.
Willow Lake Farm
Willow Lake Farm, also known as the K-State Student Farm, has two acres in production and is managed and worked by K-State graduate students, undergraduate students and volunteers. The farm grows many different species and varieties of fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms.

Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification
Activities are focused on four core areas: to sustainably increase the production of nutritious food and encourage dietary diversity of smallholder and women farmers, to increase the involvement and empowerment of women in agricultural production and processing, to increase food production through improved crop-production technologies while minimizing environmental impact, and the prevention of food loss and waste and improving food safety.
Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops
The Center works with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, environmental groups and producer organizations to assist family farmers and ranchers to boost farm profitability, protect natural resources, and enhance rural communities.
North Central Sustainable Agricultural Research & Extension
The North Central SARE's tagline is, "Grants and education to advance innovations in sustainable agriculture."
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)
"SARE's mission is to advance—to the whole of American agriculture—innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education."

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
"The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization that empowers higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation."
Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC)
"HEASC is a network of higher education associations with a commitment to advancing sustainability within their constituencies and within the entire system of higher education."
Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE)
KACEE is a statewide non-profit association of many public and private agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals.
National Environmental Education Foundation
"The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 established the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, operating as the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), as an independent non-profit organization complementary to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), extending its ability to foster environmental education for all ages and in all segments of the American public.?
Second Nature
"Second Nature strives to help build a sustainable and positive global future through leadership networks in higher education."

Kansas Wildflowers & Grasses
"This site contains information and more than 6814 identification photos for 893 species of forbs, grasses, sedges, rushes, trees, and other woody plants found growing in Kansas. All photographs were taken by Mike Haddock unless otherwise noted."
Konza Prairie Biological Station
KPBS is operated as a field research station by the KSU Division of Biology. The station is dedicated to a three-fold mission of long-term ecological research, education, and prairie conservation.
Prairie Studies Initiative
The Prairie Studies Initiative is a collaborative community of K-State faculty, staff, students and the broader public to explore the cultural and ecological dimensions of the prairie, challenges to sustaining grassland ecosystems, and envisioning new futures for these unique and important landscapes.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
From the National Park Service, "The preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie and its cultural resources."

AASHE News

The Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is a premiere resource for campus sustainability initiatives around world. Kansas State University is a member of AASHE.

EPA News

The United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an abundant information source for sustainability-related policies, legislation, research, and initiatives.

National Wildlife Federation News

National Wildlife Federation works closely with those who span the social and political spectrum, but who are connected by a common commitment to conservation.