The Symposium on Sustainability is an annual event held each February dedicated to the celebration and showcasing of ISU student, faculty and staff sustainability commitment, initiatives and accomplishments.
Initiated in 2009, the Symposium on Sustainability features a keynote speaker highlighting excellence nationally and/or internationally in environmental, economic or social sustainability. A poster and tabling reception kicks off each year’s event, showcasing campus and community dedication to and engagement in sustainability, as well as offering opportunities for dialogue and connections. Accompanying the Symposium is the annual Sustainapalooza event. Spearheaded by The Green Umbrella student organization, Sustainapalooza offers interactive GIY "Green-It-Yourself" Centers, opportunities to explore and pledge individual sustainability commitment, sustainably-minded giveaways, as well as local food and food ingredient refreshments. Each year’s event also features additional opportunities for education, engagement and empowerment either through panel discussions, documentary screenings or dialogue sessions.
Live Green! Events
Symposium on Sustainability
2026 Symposium on Sustainability
Stay tuned for details.
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 2026 Symposium on Sustainability will celebrate the diversity of 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
Stay tuned for details.
Sustainability Tabling and Artwork / Research Exhibit
A sustainability research, artwork and poster reception provides an excellent venue to discuss and exchange sustainability interests and initiatives. Sustainability-connected displays and sustainability-inspired artworks from campus activities and projects including research, administration, operations and student organizations that support and further sustainability and the Live Green Initiative.
The deadline for all applications will be announced soon!
Posters are invited and encouraged from the following areas:
- Alternative/Renewable Energy Sources
- Arts and Culture
- Biodiversity
- Energy Efficiency & Resource Conservation
- Food Systems
- Green Design & Products
- Green Transportation
- Social Engineering/Behavioral Change
- Sustainable Community Planning
- Sustainable Materials
- Toxic Reductions
- Waste Management, Diversion, and Reduction
- Water Quality/Flood Management
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.
The deadline for nominations will be announced soon!