Sustainable Communities


Our Vision

Be the international leader in transdisciplinary scholarship and education that makes a transformative impact on sustainable communities on a local, national and global scale.

Our Mission

We are a transdisciplinary network that collaborates to discover, create and share ideas that enhance our understanding of how communities can meet the needs of the present without sacrificing the needs of the future.


Rated #1 Top Performer in Sustainability Research by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for second consecutive year. .

Our Goals

  • The next generation will be educated in the principles and practices of sustainable communities.
  • Communities around the globe will have the skills necessary to create sustainable communities.
  • °®¶¹´«Ã½ faculty will be globally recognized as leaders in sustainable communities research.
  • The Greater °®¶¹´«Ã½ area, including °®¶¹´«Ã½, will be a sustainable community.

Signature Projects

Our projects involve research in areas like Sustainable Wetland/Floodplain Communities from a Human and Ecosystem Perspective, Sustainable Forest Communities, Local Sustainable Communities (U.S.), Sustainable Island Communities and Sustainable Energy Communities

Explore Projects

People and Initiatives

Steering Committee


The Transdisciplinary Area of Excellence in Sustainable Communities spans a broad area of disciplines and is guided by the steering committee faculty.

Seed Grant Program


Seed grants have been awarded with funding provided by the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Road Map through the Provost's Office and the Division of Research.

Master in Sustainable Communities


°®¶¹´«Ã½ offers an innovative master's program in Sustainable Communities. This program reflects vital community needs for collaborative policies, processes and relationships.