Acting Today and Impacting Tomorrow Toward a Sustainable Future

The 2026 Symposium on Sustainability was held March 2-3, 2026 in Memorial Union.

To view photos from the event visit our photo gallery.

Symposium Overview

The 2026 Symposium on Sustainability celebrated the sustainability efforts and initiatives taking place within our campus community focusing on supporting and nurturing enablement and empowerment toward a sustainable future that extends into the Ames community, as well as communities across the state and throughout the world. Features of this year’s event included a keynote speaker, sustainability tabling and art exhibits and the accompanying multi-faceted, interactive event, Sustainapalooza.

Keynote Speaker

The 2026 speaker was Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert, TV personality, speaker and author of the book No New Things.

For more information visit the ISU Lectures Program page.

Sustainability Tabling and Artwork / Research Exhibit

Thank you to all those who participated in Sustainapalooza! To view photos of the event visit our photo gallery.

Learn more about our artwork and poster presenters and participating tabling organizations!

Live Green Awards for Excellence in Sustainability

Congratulations to our Live Green Awards for Excellence in Sustainability recipients Elizabeth Smith and Tatiana Twedt.

Our Community Commitment Toward a Sustainable Future

The 16th annual Iowa State University Symposium on Sustainability was held Feb. 24-25, 2025 at Iowa State University's Memorial Union.

Iowa State University's Live Green! Initiative provides a call to action to all students, faculty and staff to be fully committed and engaged in ensuring our next sustainable decade. Through our actions and decisions regarding our campus, its operations and initiatives we can make efforts to support our next sustainable decade.

Symposium Overview

The 2025 Symposium on Sustainability celebrated the sustainability efforts and initiatives taking place within our campus community focusing on supporting and nurturing enablement and empowerment toward a sustainable future that extends into the Ames community, as well as communities across the state and throughout the world. Features of this year’s event included a keynote speaker, sustainability tabling and art exhibits and the accompanying multi-faceted, interactive event, Sustainapalooza (offering Green-It-Yourself centers, green living giveaways and a clothing swap).

Keynote Speaker

Speaker Bio

Sustainability Tabling and Artwork / Research Exhibit

A sustainability research, artwork and poster reception provided an excellent venue to discuss and exchange sustainability interests and initiatives. Sustainability-connected displays and sustainability-inspired artworks were presented from campus activities and projects including research, administration, operations and student coursework that support and further sustainability and the Live Green! Initiative.

Live Green! Awards for Excellence in Sustainability

The Live Green! Excellence Award recognizes Iowa State University students, faculty and staff who are making an impact on the campus sustainability efforts by generating awareness and interest through initiatives that focus on teaching, research, outreach and/or operations.

Past, Present and Future Commitment Toward a Sustainable Future - Celebrating 15 Years of Living Cardinal, Gold and Green!

The 15th annual Iowa State University Symposium on Sustainability was held Feb. 26-27, 2024 at Iowa State University's Memorial Union.

Iowa State University's Live Green! Initiative provides a call to action to all students, faculty and staff to be fully committed and engaged in ensuring our next sustainable decade. Through our actions and decisions regarding our campus, its operations and initiatives we can make efforts to support our next sustainable decade.

Symposium Overview

The 2024 Symposium on Sustainability celebrated the sustainability efforts and initiatives taking place within our campus community focusing on supporting and nurturing enablement and empowerment toward a sustainable future that extends into the Ames community, as well as communities across the state and throughout the world. Features of this year’s event included a keynote speaker, sustainability tabling and art exhibits and the accompanying multi-faceted, interactive event, Sustainapalooza (offering Green-It-Yourself centers, green living giveaways and a clothing swap).

Keynote Speaker

Speaker Bio

Sustainability Tabling and Artwork / Research Exhibit

A sustainability research, artwork and poster reception provided an excellent venue to discuss and exchange sustainability interests and initiatives. Sustainability-connected displays and sustainability-inspired artworks were presented from campus activities and projects including research, administration, operations and student coursework that support and further sustainability and the Live Green! Initiative. 

Live Green! Awards for Excellence in Sustainability

The Live Green! Excellence Award recognizes Iowa State University students, faculty and staff who are making an impact on the campus sustainability efforts by generating awareness and interest through initiatives that focus on teaching, research, outreach and/or operations.

Persistent Commitment Toward a Sustainable Future

The 14th annual Iowa State University Symposium on Sustainability was held Feb. 20-21, 2023 at Iowa State University's Memorial Union.

Iowa State University's Live Green! Initiative provides a call to action to all students, faculty, and staff to be fully committed and engaged in ensuring our next sustainable decade. Through our actions and decisions regarding our campus, its operations and initiatives we can make efforts to support our next sustainable decade.

Symposium Overview

The 2023 Symposium on Sustainability celebrates the sustainability efforts and initiatives taking place within our campus community focusing on supporting and nurturing enablement and empowerment toward a sustainable future that extends into the Ames community, as well as communities across the state and throughout the world. This year’s event features include an opening speaker, a keynote speaker, sustainability tabling and art exhibits and the accompanying multi-faceted, interactive event, Sustainapalooza (offering Green-It-Yourself centers, green living giveaways and a clothing swap).

Opening Speaker

Speaker Bio

Keynote Speaker

Due to weather across the country, Christine Ervin was unable to deliver her lecture on Leveraging Crisis Into Opportunity. 

Speaker Bio

Sustainability Tabling and Artworks Exhibit

Sustainability-connected tabling displays and sustainability-inspired artworks are encouraged from all campus activities and projects including research, administration, operations, student/student organizations, community and personal initiatives that support and further sustainability and the Live Green! Initiative. A Sustainability Poster session and tabling reception provide an excellent venue to discuss and exchange of scientific information.

Live Green! Awards for Excellence in Sustainability

The Live Green! Excellence Awards recognize Iowa State University students, faculty and staff who are making an impact on the campus sustainability efforts by generating awareness and interest through initiatives that focus on teaching, research, outreach and/or operations.

Collective Commitment Toward a Sustainable Future

The 13th annual Iowa State University Symposium on Sustainability will be held Feb. 21-22, 2022 at Iowa State University's Memorial Union.

Iowa State University's Live Green! Initiative provides a call to action to all students, faculty, and staff to be fully committed and engaged in ensuring our next sustainable decade. Through our actions and decisions regarding our campus, its operations and initiatives we can make efforts to support our next sustainable decade.

Symposium Overview

The 2022 Symposium on Sustainability celebrates the sustainability efforts and initiatives taking place within our campus community focusing on supporting and nurturing enablement and empowerment toward a sustainable future that extends into the Ames community, as well as communities across the state and throughout the world. Features of this year’s event include a keynote speaker, sustainability tabling and art exhibits and the accompanying multi-faceted, interactive event, Sustainapalooza.

Keynote Speaker

Chris Jordan | February 21, 2022 @ 6 p.m. via WebEx

Facing the Realities of Our World -- And Surviving to Tell About It

Artist Chris Jordan is known for his hard-hitting photographs that confront with shocking directness the dark side of our mass culture. Having explored this territory for more than 20 years, Jordan emerges now with a powerful new message that turns environmentalism upside down. 

Sustainability Tabling and Artworks Exhibit

Sustainability-connected tabling displays and sustainability-inspired artworks are encouraged from all campus activities and projects including research, administration, operations, student/student organizations, community and personal initiatives that support and further sustainability and the Live Green! Initiative.