There are many individuals and organizations, both on campus and in the Michiana area, that can assist you in developing and implementing a sustainability research project or securing an internship. If you are interested in a topic or organization that is not listed here, please send us an email.
Catholicism and Sustainability
- Center for Theology, Science, and Human Flourishing at Notre Dame
- Laudato Si', On the Care of Our Common Home, by Pope Francis
- Catholic Climate Covenant
- Catholic Rural Life
- Catholic Relief Services' I am Climate Change campaign
- Columbia River Pastoral Letter
- Holy Cross Joint Statement on Climate Change
- If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation, by Benedict XVI
- Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all Creation, by Blessed John Paul II
- Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, by USCCB, 2001 (Please scroll down)
- Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, by USCCB, 1991
Climate Adaptation
- ND-GAIN (Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative) is an important resource for information on climate adaptation and vulnerability for nations and business interests.
Climate Negotiations
- Climate Interactive provides extensive materials on its website for a Climate Change Negotiations Simulation. These include Instructor Resources and a computer program you can download and use to explore the climate impacts of various carbon commitments. You can see a Preview here.
Ecology
- Notre Dame's Environmental Research Centers (UNDERC East in the Michigan Upper Peninsula and UNDERC West in northwestern Montana) provide opportunities for students to conduct research in a variety of relatively undisturbed ecosystems.
- ND-LEEF is a constructed freshwater system that includes streams, ponds, and wetlands and can be used for controlled experiments. It is located in St. Patrick's County Park about 10 minutes north of campus.
Education for Sustainability (K-12)
- Jay Caponigro, Notre Dame's Director of Community Engagement, can advise on appropriate contacts in public and private school systems in the South Bend area.
- Project Learning Tree has extensive K-12 resources on environmental education.
Food Co-ops
- Purple Porch Co-op is located in the East Bank neighborhood in South Bend and focuses on local and organic food.
Green Infrastructure
- Gary Gilot is the Director of the South Bend Board of Public Works and founder of the Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem.
Interfaith Work on Sustainability
Invasive Species
- Notre Dame's Environmental Change Initiative includes a research program on transportation networks, climate change, and the spread of invasive species.
Policy
- Kevin Nelson ’93 of U.S. EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities can advise on policies and partnerships at the federal, state, and local level that impact land development and environmental protection.
Public Health
- The Eck Institute of Global Health is an important resource for those interested in the intersection of environmental and public health.
Renewable Energy
- Notre Dame's Center for Sustainable Energy (often known as ND Energy) is an excellent place to learn about faculty doing research in renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and strategies for addressing nuclear waste.
Sustainable Agriculture
- Bertrand Farm is an educational facility in Niles, Michigan that promotes healthy eating and land stewardship.
- Prairie Winds Nature Farm is a working educational farm in Lakeville, Indiana that includes restored wetlands and prairie. It is located about 25 minutes south of campus.
- The Center at Donaldson includes a sustainable farm sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. It is located about 45 minutes south of campus.
Sustainable Development
- Notre Dame's Institute for Global Development works on projects throughout the developing world, including many involving renewable energy, water access, and other sustainability issues.
- Let's Share the Sun, founded by Notre Dame alumni, works to bring solar energy to schools and families in Haiti and elsewhere in the developing world.
Urban Agriculture
- Unity Gardens is network of over 50 community gardens in and around South Bend dedicated to educating the community on nutrition and growing their own food and providing healthy produce to those who are disadvantaged.
- The New Orleans Food and Farms Network offers a Grower's Guide that contains information relevant to urban grower's everywhere.