Keep Eckerd green with our sustainability programs
Our campus teaches and inspires us every day. It’s only natural for us to nurture it through conservation efforts like:
- the first enacted “Break Free from Plastics” pledge signed by a college president,
- a federal grant to reduce single-use plastics,
- a one-acre sustainable farm and food forest,
- two bike share programs for on- and off-campus use.
In our cafeterias, seasonal ingredients come from local, owner-operated farms and ranches. Meat and dairy from animals raised with artificial hormones or routine antibiotics are avoided.
Our Green College ranking also factors how we build:
- The Center for Visual Arts is oriented to minimize heat load created by intense sunlight.
- We cool the James Center with wastewater rather than toxic coolants; it holds a coveted LEED Platinum certification.
- The Environmental Science building is powered by a solar array.
- Iota residence hall is LEED-certified.
What You Can Do
- Take a shift collecting campus recycling
- Help promote the Environmental Film Festival
- Submit a story to Planet Forward
- Take the plastic reduction pledge
- Minor in Sustainability
- Join a club below to foster sustainable behavior
Campus Groups
Fostering sustainable behavior at Eckerd College
COMMUNITY FARM
Contributing to the well-being of students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding ecosystem.
ECO-REPS
Working towards solving environmental problems on campus through the Office of Sustainability.
GARDEN CLUB
Running an organic vegetable garden with environmental principles to connect us to our food.
MARINE LIFE ADVENTURE SOCIETY
Experiencing marine life environments and facilities with short adventure trips around Florida.
ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
An Audubon Campus Chapter to introduce students to birding. Eckerd has the highest number of bird species recorded per acre of any college in the U.S.!
REDUCE SINGLE-USE PROJECT
Raising awareness, conducting science and taking action to reduce single-use plastic consumption on campus.
SAVE OUR SEABIRDS
Protecting and understanding our local seabirds and other wildlife through rescue and education.
SCUBI JEW: EC ENVIROMENTAL DIVERS
Educating students and actively doing our part to repair the damage done to our oceans, rivers and lakes, and the creatures that live in them.
Initiatives
Waste
Eckerd College promotes waste reduction with recycling and composting programs, water bottle filling stations, reusable Eco-Clamshells at the cafeteria, fishing line recycling containers and an annual Trash to Treasure project.
Energy
In 2007, our president signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. In 2013, solar panels were installed as part of the 50 kilowatt solar photovoltaic array on top of our Environmental Studies building.
Sustainability news at Eckerd
- Plan to prepare for climate change earns prestigious honor at Future of the Region Awards - May 17, 2023
- Free single-use plastics tracking app created by Eckerd College professors launches - May 16, 2023
- National Wildlife Federation certifies nine wildlife habitats on Eckerd College campus - April 19, 2023
- One way to celebrate Reunion Weekend at Eckerd College: plant 500 trees - March 6, 2023
- Shhhhh … great horned owls have returned to Eckerd College campus - February 22, 2023
Green Campus
Our campus is home to over 1,200 trees, of which over 90% are native, providing countless benefits to campus residents—including humans, pets and wildlife! Many have tags which you can look up for identification in this map.
Green Campus
Our campus is home to over 1,200 trees, of which over 90% are native, providing countless benefits to campus residents—including humans, pets and wildlife! Many have tags which you can look up for identification in this map.
In their own words
“Eckerd solidified my direction. Since graduating, I’ve worked at Egmont Key alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and at the Florida DEP as a Bio-technician Intern and Park Manager Assistant. After earning my Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, I served as the Sustainability Assistant for the City of Oldsmar, Florida. For the City of St. Petersburg, I co-led a project which secured $130,000 for a 42 kW parking lot solar installation and worked on policy development, solar power economics and energy efficiency programs that launched a successful solar co-op. Currently I serve on the Suncoast Sierra Club Executive Committee.”
—Peter Killeen ’11
Sustainability & conservation management professional, Two Trails Inc.
Sustainability news at Eckerd
- Plan to prepare for climate change earns prestigious honor at Future of the Region Awards - May 17, 2023
- Free single-use plastics tracking app created by Eckerd College professors launches - May 16, 2023
- National Wildlife Federation certifies nine wildlife habitats on Eckerd College campus - April 19, 2023
More Sustainability at Eckerd
- Reducing single-use plastic consumption at Eckerd
- Questions? Contact our Director of Sustainability, Evan Bollier ’11, at bollieea@eckerd.edu or 727.864.8908
