	Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
	Serving the Campus Sustainability Community

About AASHE | Membership | Programs & Projects | Staff | Governance

About AASHE

AASHE is an association of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada working to create a sustainable future. It was founded in 2006 with a mission to promote sustainability in all sectors of higher education - from governance and operations to curriculum and outreach - through education, communication, research and professional development. Businesses, NGO's, and government agencies can participate as AASHE partner members.

AASHE aims to advance the efforts of the entire campus sustainability community by uniting diverse initiatives and connecting practitioners to resources and professional development opportunities. The association also provides a professional home for campus sustainability coordinators and directors.

AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations.

AASHE is a member-driven, independent 501(c)(3). Membership in AASHE covers every individual at an institution.

What We Do

AASHE convenes and works with all sectors of campus and community. We also strive to model sustainable practices in our own operations and activities. Services include:

Biennial North American conference
Professional development, including workshops and trainings
Free weekly e-bulletin with top campus sustainability news stories
Resource center with specialized online resources and directories
Interest groups and topical discussion lists
Partnership projects with other associations and organizations

Our activities are designed to:

Make sustainable practices mainstream within higher education
Facilitate member efforts to integrate sustainability into teaching, research, and operations.
Disseminate knowledge and best practices and promote resource sharing.
Support all sectors of campus in shaping sustainability initiatives.
Increase collaboration among individuals, institutions, and external partners to speed the adoption of sustainability practices.
Influence local, state, and national education policy so that sustainability is a focus.

Our Vision

Our vision is to see higher education take a leadership role in preparing students and employees to achieve a just and sustainable society. The campus itself would serve as a model of sustainability, with curriculum and operations reflecting an integrative approach to learning and practice. The process of education would emphasize active, experiential, inquiry based learning and real-world problem solving.

On the model campus all sectors would work collaboratively to advance sustainability, and the content and context of learning would reflect a focus on systemic, interdisciplinary thinking with respect to human health, ethics, future generations, and planetary stewardship.

History

In 2005, AASHE's predecessor organization, the Consortium for Environmental Education in Medicine (CEEM), expanded its mission and absorbed the Education for Sustainability Western Network (EFS West) to form AASHE.

EFS West until then had been a program of Second Nature. It was established in 2001 with funding from the Compton Foundation, and focused on campuses in the western US and Canada (14 states and 2 provinces). EFS West became a membership organization in 2003, and in 2004 held the very successful North American Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education, hosted at U. Portland in Oregon. Its popular e-newsletter, EFS-News, continues as AASHE Bulletin, as do several other services.

CEEM, launched in 1994 through a partnership that included Second Nature, focused on the education of medical students and professionals. It had been a program of Second Nature since 1999, but was largely inactive.

CEEM and EFS West leaders created AASHE to help coordinate and strengthen campus sustainability efforts at regional and national levels, and to serve as the first North American professional association for those interested in advancing campus sustainability.

Today AASHE continues to build on the accomplishments of CEEM, EFS West, and Second Nature in orienting higher education around sustainability.

Member Spotlight

Luther College (Decorah, IA) is our current spotlight campus! In 2007, Luther completed a series of energy efficiency projects that saves the College 4.4 million kWh of electricity annually. Sustainability is included in the College's strategic plan and the College is a charter signatory to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. Learn more

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