When we think about our mission at the University of Kentucky—to improve the lives of Kentuckians and beyond—environmental stewardship and sustainability are core parts of our legacy. We believe in creating a campus—and a world—that is healthy, fair, and built to last. We're committed to integrating sustainability into our curriculum, research, outreach, and daily operations, so that our students and community are prepared to lead toward a more sustainable future.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 13, 2025) —The Thrifty Cat, UK’s new ‘campus free store’, started as the independent project of Olivia Smith, a UK Recycling intern through the Sustainability Internship Program.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 3, 2025) — What began as a small dye garden at the University of Kentucky Arboretum has grown into a hands-on summer internship and cross-listed course that immerses students in the sustainable production and use of natural dyes. The project was sparked several years ago when horticulturist Shari Dutton received the book “A Dyer’s Garden” as a Christmas gift.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2025) — Urban trees do so much more than make our campus look beautiful. They filter the air, cool the ground, and improve our mental well-being. But many of the trees at the University of Kentucky are under attack from an invasive pest.
Vincent Stanley, co-author with Yvon Chouinard of The Future of the Responsible Company, has been with Patagonia on and off since its beginning in 1973, for many of those years in key roles as head of sales or marketing.
Join the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment and supporting partners for the first annual Careers in the Environment career fair, designed to connect talented students and recent graduates eager to make a meaningful impact with employers across the environmental sectors.