Buffalo State University's sustainability committee has guided the campus to improve conservation and social equity initiatives since 2021. Since that time, Buffalo State has shown its commitment to sustainability by becoming a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE, an international association to promote the United Nations 17 goals of sustainability. Soon Buffalo State will begin to enter data into AASHE's Sustainability, Tracking Assessment and Rating System, or STARS to see where Buffalo State compares its sustainability efforts to other universities and colleges worldwide.
Buffalo State's Sustainability Committee is a committee of faculty, staff and United Student Government (USG) representation, which is charged with exploring ways that Buffalo State can be more environmental and socially responsible. These recommendations are then presented to the committee's executive board which will write these recommendations into Buffalo State's conservation and social equity policy. The committee's mission statement is: Sustainability = Conservation + Social Equity. The committee sponsors educational forums on relevant topics and events such as Earth Day and Arbor Day and other events geared toward conservation and social equity. For more information, please contact the Campus Planning office.
The Buffalo State Civic and Community Engagement Office coordinates student, faculty and staff participation in the local community through volunteer and academic service-learning activities. Volunteer events including Buffalo State Community Service Day and Alternative Break have involved participants in tree plantings, urban farm and garden work, and community clean-up events. Service-learning is course-based community work that connects course curriculum to identified community needs. Activities related to sustainabilty have included community gardening and science education.
The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) is New York State's largest student-directed research and advocacy organization. Environmental protection is among its major concerns. NYPIRG is a not-for-profit group established to effect reform while training students and other New Yorkers to be advocates. Buffalo State's NYPIRG chapter is one of 20 in the state.
Wilderness Adventure Club encourages Buffalo State students to experience and enjoy nature, providing opportunities for camping, hiking, white water rafting, rock climbing, skiing and other outdoor activities.
