O’Dowd has been celebrated for its multi-faceted commitment to sustainability. Inspired by Laudato Si (an environmental encyclical by Pope Francis) and The Canticle of California (a response to Laudato Si by the California Catholic Bishops), and conscious of increasing climate disruption, this commitment to sustainability is being renewed and re-fashioned more explicitly through the lens of Kinship with Creation.
The Living Lab is a 4-acre certified wildlife habitat and outdoor classroom committed to reconnecting students with the natural world and developing a deeper sense of Kinship with Creation. The Center for Environmental Studies (CES) is O’Dowds LEED Platinum Certified educational facility, dedicated to cultivating the next generation of environmental and sustainability leaders. Read More »
O’Dowd’s campus sustainability initiatives offer concrete examples of large and small sustainability projects that have reduced our ecological footprint, saved money, and created lasting social change. Each campus sustainability initiative allows us to practice and live sustainability principles each day. Read More »
1. SERVICE: Check out our Living Lab Beyond the Classroom page for details on all the service opportunities available in the Living Lab, such as After School Service, Saturday Work Days, and Green Dragons Flex.
2. ECO CLUB: If you are interested in connecting with other students passionate about the environment and advocating for sustainability on campus you can join Eco Club! Join the Eco Club Schoology group to stay updated on club events and meeting times.
3. ECO LEADERS: If you want to grow your leadership skills and fight for the environment you may consider applying to the Eco Leadership Team. Eco Leaders is a Senior level Advanced Leadership Team and class that students may apply to Spring semester of their Junior year.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Many volunteer opportunities are currently on hold due to COVID-19, and volunteer communications will likely be less frequent in the Fall 2020 Semester. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to livinglab@bishopodowd.org.
Sustainability efforts are led by our Creation Care Team, one of many such teams around the world helping to inspire ecological conversion in Catholic institutions.
Isabel Rodriguez-Vega, Sustainability Programs Manager
Devra Laner, Eco-Agriculturalist and Garden Educator
Anton Brammer, Living Lab Project Manager and Science Teacher
Annie Prutzman, Ecologist, Naturalist and Native and Cultural Plant Specialist
Otis Johnson, Lead Ecological Gardener
Patrick Cody, Ecological Gardener
Michael Downs, Director of Justice and Kinship
For all sustainability inquiries, email livinglab@bishopodowd.org.
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