Sustainability

Bard engages in sustainability efforts on multiple fronts.

The College believes that the next generation of leaders will require unprecedented environmental expertise. To that end, we offer undergraduate, graduate, and dual-degree programs in environmental science and policy. Bard students, faculty, and staff work locally and nationally toward a greener future, from farming on campus to working on dialogues with U.S. politicians. Initiatives coordinated by the Bard Office of Sustainability—including recycling and conservation, green building, and energy efficiency—are taking the Annandale campus closer to its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.

Bard students prepare a meal at the Montgomery Place Campus for Food Days, one of a series of food sustainability events held at Bard every autumn. Photo by Sarah Wallock '19.

Bard Sustainability by the Numbers

3rd

in the nation for
sustainably sourced
campus food
20K lbs

food grown annually
on Bard Farm
500+

sustainability kits
distributed annually
7K lbs

food donated
every semester

The Bard College Farm

This student-operated organic farm on the Bard campus sells produce to the College's dining service provider, works to educate students about food systems, and connects Bard to the regional agricultural community. Worked by students, the farm, with its visibility and its accessibility, demonstrates the realities of small-scale farming and creates a community of food and farm culture.

Learn More

Bard Environmental and Urban Studies students advocating for the health of Tivoli Bays during the March for Science.

Undergraduate Programs in Sustainability

Environmental stewardship is a core element of Bard's emphasis on civic engagement and social responsibility. The College offers rigorous, interdisciplinary training in environmental studies and ensures that all undergraduate students receive science education.

Citizen Science: This January-term intensive is required of all Bard first-year students.

Environmental and Urban Studies Program: Majors receive a solid background in the sciences, humanities, economics, and policy.

Dual-Degree Programs in Sustainability

Dual-degree programs are available with the Bard Center for Environmental Policy.

Undergraduate:
4+1 B.A./M.S. in Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy: An accelerated dual-degree program.

Graduate:
M.S. and J.D. with Pace Law School
M.S. and M.A.T. with Bard’s Master of Arts in Teaching
4+1 B.A./M.S. in Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy

Photo by Pete Mauney '93 MFA '00

Graduate Programs in Sustainability

Through the Bard Center for Environmental Policy and the Bard MBA in Sustainability, the College gives students the tools to excel in green business and government.

Programs of Study:
M.S. in Environmental Policy
M.S. in Climate Science and Policy
M.Ed. in Environmental Education
M.B.A. in Sustainability
Professional Certificate Programs

Peace Corps Programs:
Master's International Program
Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Progra

Institutional, Local, and National Initiatives

Institutional
- Center for Civic Engagement: CCE involves students in green volunteer opportunities and internships.
- Bard Office of Sustainability: BOS promotes environmental sustainability at Bard and in the greater community.
Local
- Bard College Farm: This student-operated organic farm on the Bard campus sells produce to the College's dining service provider, works to educate students about food systems, and connects Bard to the regional agricultural community.
- 10% Challenge Red Hook, New York: The 10% Challenge is a call to reduce energy use in Red Hook by 10 percent.
- Bard Biodiesel Cooperative: The Bard Biodiesel Cooperative was started as a Trustee Leader Scholar (TLS) project to produce biodiesel on campus for the Bard community.
National
- Campus to Congress: C2C involves students across the nation in conversations about climate solutions with elected officials.

Energy, Facilities, and Climate

Bard has pledged to achieve climate neutrality by 2035.

By signing the ACUPCC Climate Commitment, now Carbon Commitment, in 2008, President Botstein agreed to launch an ambitious and important process to achieve carbon neutrality at the college and “actions to make climate neuttrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students.”