Off-Campus Engagement

Campus Sustainability
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Off-Campus Engagement

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ways to get involved with the local community as we collectively work towards truly sustainable living.

Sustainable Transportation Options Learn how to travel around the Northfield area and beyond

Faculty & Staff Rideshare Initiative Reduce your carbon emissions – carpool to campus!

The city of Northfield is committed to forward-thinking goals of continuous sustainable development and adaptive climate change policies. Their latest Climate Action Plan can be found here. General information about Northfield sustainability can be found here on the city government website.

The Clean River Partners community organization works to conserve the natural resources of the Cannon River Watershed, leading initiatives to improve water quality and soil health within the region. Learn More

Northfield Shares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on promoting volunteerism and philanthropy within the Northfield community. They have a number of funds sponsoring community improvement projects and individual grants. One such fund is the Environmental Sustainability Fund, where community members can donate money to “support local projects that help address climate issues and reduce greenhouse gasses”. The fund began in October of 2021 and grants will begin to be distributed in fall 2024. Learn More

The Greater Northfield Sustainability Collaborative is a gathering of participants from St. Olaf College, Carleton College, and members of various local organizations, who coordinate sustainability efforts around the Northfield area. These people are enacting the initiatives that are necessary for Northfield to achieve its Climate Action Plan goals. Learn More

Community Supported Agriculture programs are subscriptions you can sign up for to receive fresh produce grown by a farmer near you. These programs help you get great fresh food, support local farmers’ financial stability, decrease food transportation and preservation needs, and encourage a personal connection to the food that you eat. Cannon Valley Grown is a cooperative of many local farmers who offer CSAs, and the Local Harvest Website provides a list of nearby farms that participate in CSA programs.

During your time on the Hill you can choose to take ENVST 237: Integration and Application of Environmental Studies. This Academic Civic Engagement (ACE) course covers many aspects of practical environmental conservation and sustainable development, culminating in a final project that often involves the local community beyond campus. Previous students have worked with Prairie Creek Community K-5 School, the Northfield Zero Waste Committee, and others. Learn more about the Academic and Civic Engagement program here.

Designed in the Fall of 2020 by students in one of the college’s ACE courses, this interactive map of Northfield guides you through sustainable buildings and their stories, waste management sites and their purposes, sustainable transportation options, energy sources, and more.

The Green Booklet is an educational resource put together for Northfield residents to help individuals make sustainable and environmentally-friendly choices. St. Olaf students participated in its creation. Find the Green Booklet here.