Signature Programs
The UW-Whitewater Sustainability Office has focused our programs primarily on direct engagement with students engaging in hands-on sustainability actions. This is accomplished through our community service activities managing certain aspects of our campus operations.
Our signature programs generally have a food- or plant-based theme, which is a natural extension of our office operations based in Upham Greenhouse. Our management of the greenhouse coincided with our establishment of the Campus Garden, which has received recognition from the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents for our work addressing community food insecurity. This work also includes ongoing logistical support for the Warhawk Pantry, which has been staffed and managed in partnership with the University Center since 2018. Our plant theme also extends to our local ecosystem as we manage key restoration projects in the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve, a 100-acre area that makes up 25% of our main campus footprint.
While the Sustainability Office is probably best known for its houseplant giveaways at different campus events, there are many other programs happening in these spaces that students can get involved in. Community service events are typically serving one of these programs and each area is managed by our interns. Student organizations also use the meeting space in Upham Greenhouse to host various hands-on activities for the campus community. Stop by and visit any of these spaces too!
