Sustainable Smith

In 1886, Florence Merriam Bailey, a student concerned about the plight of birds, started the Smith College Audubon Society and began weaving the fabric of sustainability at Smith that can now be found across all aspects of the college—in academics, operations, research and student life. Smith prepares women through active learning and societal engagement to foster and lead sustainable, just communities and to make significant and lasting contributions to address the critical issues of the times. Like Florence, students are frequently at the heart of sustainability issues on campus. You’ll find their stories throughout these pages.

Explore Sustainability at Smith

Academics

Students engaged in sustainability coursework

Get Involved

Action and Impact

Students taking action in sustainability

For Faculty

Center for the Environment (CEEDS)

Center for the Environment, Ecological Design & Sustainability, Smith College

MacLeish Field Station

Spatial Analysis Lab

Kala'i Ellis holds Patty the Drone over an orange landing target

It’s Easy Being Green

Heather Rosenfeld

Director, Spatial Analysis Lab

Spatial Analysis Lab (SAL) director Heather Rosenfeld has a passion for maps and enacting positive change in the world. Longing for a career where they could combine the two, centering “social and environmental and multi-species justice,” they’ve found the perfect blend at Smith. Learn about some of the projects happening now at the SAL.

Heather Rosenfeld and a student working on maps.

Carbon Neutral by 2030

We are committed to acting against climate change and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality means achieving net zero carbon emissions by sequestering or offsetting the equivalent amount of carbon or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as we release. Since the early 2000’s we have been reducing our energy consumption (demand) and cleaning up our energy supply with renewable generation sources.

Learn More About Our Commitment to Carbon Neutrality

Being carbon neutral means digging deep.

In 2022, Smith began constructing a campuswide geothermal energy system, designed to reduce emissions by 90% and help the college reach carbon neutrality by 2030. The largest capital project in Smith’s history, the system has already begun heating and cooling buildings on the north side of campus.

More Reasons to Celebrate Smith