At Calvin we understand sustainability emerges from choices that, on balance, promote economic vitality, social equity, and a flourishing natural environment both now and for generations to come.


  • students holding a net

    OPPORTUNITIES

  • people kayaking

    LIFE ON CAMPUS

  • people worshipping at chapel

    FAITH + SUSTAINABILITY

  • students wearing safety vests

    LEARN

  • Student gardening

    IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY

  • students listening to teacher talk outside

    UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

  • nature preserve

    GET OUTSIDE

  • GR at night time

    GRAND RAPIDS


KEY FACTS

Stars logo

AASHE Stars Silver recipient

Climate Commitment logo

Signatory of Presidents’ Climate Commitment

Tree campus logo

The Princeton Review Guide to Green Schools

Plaster Creek Stewards logo

Honored Tree Campus USA recipient





Decades of Dedication Towards Sustainability

Night time photo of Grand Rapids blue bridge
1970's
1972 - Dr. Jim Bosscher's student design recycling machinery.
Students walking among the buildings and city streets of Grand Rapids
1980's
1980 - Earthkeeping: Christian Stewardship of Natural Resources published.
1985 - 100+ acre Ecosystem Preserve established.
Walls and booths coverd in old-timey flair at hotdog restaurant in Grand Rapids
1990's
1990 - Student-led Environmental Stewardship Coalition established.
1997 - CEAP begins. (now Sustainability Showcase)
alt
2000's
2004 - First LEED Certified building Bunker Interpretive Center completed on campus.
2007 - Board of Trustees approves Statement on Sustainability.
2008 - Calvin Energy Recovery Fund (CERF), a green revolving fund aimed at reducing energy consumption across campus launched.
2009 - Plaster Creek Stewards formed.
alt
2010's
2010 - Greatest Green Initiative Award for faculty initiative ’Sustainability Across the Curriculum‘ gathering faculty together across disciplines to consider how to integrate sustainability issues throughout campus-wide curriculum.
2011 - Environmental Studies major established.
alt
2010's (continued)
2014 - 2nd community garden built.
2016 - Calvin receives STARS Silver Rating for the first time.
2017 - Calvin receives STARS Silver rating again.
alt
2020's
2020 - Calvin receives STARS Silver rating again.
2022 - Calvin contracts Sun FundED to plan for transition into solar energy.
2022 - President Boer signs the Climate Commitment
alt
2020's (continued)
2023 - Electric Vehicle charging stations installed.
2023 - First cohort of Sustainability Fellows welcomed to campus.
NEWS
EVENTS

No upcoming events at this time.

Top