Sustainability Program

The University of Dayton has several local sustainability, energy, and the environment community partners that you can get involved with off-campus.

• Five Rivers Metro Parks: This area park system is dedicated to protecting Greater Dayton's natural heritage and to providing outdoor recreation and education experiences that inspire a lasting personal connection with nature.
• The Mission of Mary Cooperative: Mission of Mary Cooperative is an urban farming non-profit organization that works in east Dayton. They focus on the issues of food and economic social justice especially the issues of healthy food affordability and access. The work done at Mission of Mary aims to provide tangible benefits for the people of the community as well as the vacant and forgotten land of the neighborhood.
• Dayton Regional Green 3: Dayton Regional Green 3 is a leadership collaborative committed to enhancing the quality of life and environmental assets of the Dayton region by growing our economy, protecting a healthy environment, and promoting social responsibility.
• UpDayton: UpDayton seeks to spur economic growth in the Dayton region by attracting and retaining young creative talent. UpDayton wants to show young adults that the Gem City is a great place to live, work and play. And if top-notch creative young professionals want to live in our community, then top-notch entrepreneurs, businesses and investors want to be here, too.
• Energy Visitor Center: Located at the Dull Farm, the Energy Visitor Center provides information on conserving energy and demonstrates many working alternative renewable energies.
• Metroparks: Community Gardening: Since 1986, our Community Gardening program has been helping urban residents in Montgomery County develop and maintain community gardens and green projects, transforming vacant lots into productive open spaces. Community gardens are managed, maintained and owned by neighborhood residents and organizations. Community gardeners cultivate vegetable gardens, care for community-managed parks and beautify their neighborhoods with flowers and trees. The gardens provide many benefits: reduced crime rates, improved mental and physical health, and a greater sense of community.
• PNC Second Street Market: This marketplace strives to promote sustainable, local food systems in order to shrink the ecological footprint of Montgomery County. Over 40 vendors: local growers, bakers, culinary specialists, and artisans fill the charming historic freight house.
• Precious Planet Ministry: Called by our Catholic faith, Precious Planet Ministry seeks to engage the members of St. Francis of Assisi in a dialogue about environmental issues and to encourage parishioners to be thoughtful steward's of God's creation. St. Francis of Assisi Church, Centerville.
• Smaller Footprint Farm: This farm grows produce, flowers, herbs and chickens for a 45 member CSA and local farmers' market using natural and sustainable methods. Now accepting applications for summer apprentices.

The Dean's Summer Fellowship program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students in the University of Dayton College of Arts and Sciences to conduct research during the summer in any academic discipline under the guidance of a full-time College faculty mentor.

University of Dayton students enjoy one-on-one mentorship opportunities to work with faculty on sustainability-related research projects. The Hanley Sustainability Institute and its sustainability program offer internship and student-leader programs that allow students to create their own pathways to career success.

Since 1990, the University of Dayton has sponsored the annual Brother Joseph W. Stander Symposium to recognize, showcase and celebrate mentored academic and artistic accomplishments in undergraduate and graduate education.