Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.40
Liaison Dayna Cook
Submission Date Nov. 6, 2023

STARS v2.2

Northern Arizona University
EN-11: Inter-Campus Collaboration

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 Dayna McKay
Data Analyst
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Is the institution currently a member of a national or international higher education sustainability network?:
Yes

The name of the national or international sustainability network(s):

NAU is actively involved in various national sustainability organizations and initiatives, showcasing our commitment to environmental responsibility:

AASHE: As an active member of AASHE, we collaborate with other institutions and participate in events, such as the annual STARS cohort, conferences, bulletin boards, and peer-to-peer mentorship programs, to advance sustainability efforts at a national level.

Bicycle-Friendly University: NAU has been recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University, emphasizing our dedication to promoting cycling and sustainable transportation options on campus.
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFU_Award_List_2022_ALL_BY_STATE.pdf

Second Nature: NAU signed the Second Nature Carbon Commitment in 2007, regularly reporting our emissions and sustainability progress through this national platform.
https://secondnature.org/climate-action-guidance/network/

Tree Campus USA: We hold the designation of Tree Campus USA, demonstrating our commitment to campus forestry and environmental stewardship at a national level.
https://www.arborday.org/programs/tree-campus-higher-education/#recognizedSection


Does the institution actively participate in a regional, state/provincial, or local higher education sustainability network?:
Yes

The name of the regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s):

Tri-U Summit: At the state level, NAU actively participates in the Tri-U Summit, an annual meeting for Arizona Higher Education institutions focused on sustainability and environmental efforts, involving staff and students in sustainable practices.
https://visit.asu.edu/tri-university

Through our involvement in state initiatives, NAU remains committed to fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly campus community while contributing to broader sustainability efforts on both local and national scales.


Has the institution presented at a higher education sustainability conference during the previous year?:
Yes

A list or brief description of the conference(s) and presentation(s):

NAU has been actively engaged in sharing our sustainability initiatives and expertise at various higher education sustainability conferences and events, making meaningful contributions to the broader sustainability community. Here are some recent presentations:

1. Second Nature Climate Leadership Conference:
At the Second Nature Climate Leadership Conference, Avi Henn, Manager of Sustainability at NAU, delivered a presentation titled "Accelerating Climate Action Decision Making." This talk focused on innovative strategies to expedite decision-making processes related to climate action. The conference took place in Miami, FL, on February 7, 2023, from 11 AM to 12 PM.
https://whova.com/web/DElfIl1GWzWfJtskl8F6C5i1cRcVYmMiFxSNHIFkl%404%3D/Agenda/

2. Climate Teach-in:
NAU's Chief Sustainability Officer, Erik Neilsen, and Manager of Sustainability, Avi Henn, participated in a panel discussion during the Climate Teach-in. Their expertise and insights contributed to the broader conversation about climate education and sustainability. This event provided an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and best practices among higher education institutions.
https://www.nazcca.org/flagstaff-events/2023/3/29/the-climate-amp-justice-teach-in

3. Tri-U Summit:
NAU's Green Fund co-chairs had the privilege of presenting at the Tri-U Summit, an annual sustainability meeting for staff and students within Arizona's higher education institutions. Their insights inspired attendees to consider implementing a variety of different initiatives at their institutions, fostering a culture of sustainability within the state.
https://visit.asu.edu/tri-university

By actively participating in these conferences and panels, NAU continues to lead by example in sustainability and environmental stewardship, sharing our knowledge, experiences, and best practices with the higher education community and beyond.


Has the institution submitted a case study during the previous year to an external higher education sustainability resource center or awards program?:
No

A list or brief description of the sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s):
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Has the institution had employees or students serving on a board or committee of a sustainability network or conference during the previous three years?:
Yes

A list or brief description of the board or committee appointment(s):

Arizona Forward's NORTHERN ARIZONA REGIONAL COUNCIL
The Northern Arizona Regional Council is made up of 12 appointed Arizona Forward members who work in and around Coconino County and is chaired by NAU's Andrew Iacona (2023-2025).
https://arizonaforward.org/take-action/regional-councils/northern-regional-council/

Board of Directors for Willow Bend Center: https://willowbendcenter.org/board-of-directors/
Michele James, Vice President / Research Coordinator, Part-time Faculty NAU

NAU student Sophia Swainson served as a key member, heading the NAU side of the Tri-U planning committee, actively contributing to sustainability network and conference initiatives.


Does the institution have an ongoing mentoring relationship with another institution through which it assists the institution with its sustainability reporting and/or the development of its sustainability program?:
No

A brief description of the mentoring relationship and activities:
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Has the institution had employees or students serving as peer reviewers of another institution’s sustainability data and/or STARS submission during the previous three years?:
No

A brief description of the peer review activities:
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A brief description of other inter-campus collaborative efforts around sustainability during the previous year :

Parnell, R. and Gangwish, A. 2023. Effective Collaborative Decision-making Includes Stakeholder Analysis and Communication. In press. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.

Brundiers, K., King, J., Parnell, R., & Hiser, K. (2023). A GCSE proposal statement on key competencies in sustainability: Guidance on the accreditation of sustainability and sustainability-related programs in higher education. Global Council for Science and the Environment


Website URL where information about the institution’s inter-campus collaborations is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.