Distinctions
UW-River Falls is proud of our efforts to reduce carbon emissions, increase recycling, reduce overall waste generated, promote responsible water usage and the many more efforts it takes to create a sustainable world. We are thankful for our campus community in helping us receive several accolades!
STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System)
STARS Gold
2024 STARS Report Executive Summary
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework for comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academic, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
The UWRF STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.
Bee Campus USA and Tree Campus Higher Education
UWRF is proud to be a part of Bee Campus USA and Tree Campus Higher Education. As an affiliate of Bee Campus USA, UWRF recognizes, supports and encourages pollinator conservation on campus. As a designated Tree Campus, recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation, UWRF aims to improve, maintain and celebrate forestry on campus.
Bee Campus USA Commitments
As a Bee Campus USA affiliate, UWRF is committed to the following:
- Creating and enhancing the pollinator habitat on campus by increasing the abundance of native plants and providing nest sites.
- Reducing the use of pesticides.
- Offering courses and/or continuing education opportunities that incorporate pollinator conservation.
- Offering service-learning projects to enhance pollinator habitat.
- Displaying signage focused on pollinator conservation.
- Maintaining an online presence for our Bee Campus USA activities.
Tree Campus Higher Education Commitments
As a designated Tree Campus, recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation, UWRF is committed to environmental leadership, urban forestry, and community resilience. We demonstrate these commitments through the Bee and Tree Campus Committee, Tree Care Plan, investment through time and funding, our annual Arbor Day Celebration and engagement with students.
Bee and Tree Campus Committee
Our Bee and Tree Campus Committee advocates for pollinators and forestry at UWRF.
- Kevin Juneau, Chair
- Faculty, Plant and Earth Science
- David Zlesak
- Faculty, Plant and Earth Science
- Tovah Flygare
- Staff, Sustainability Office
- Darren Johnson
- Staff, Grounds Department
- Autumn Frederick
- Student, Bee Club Representative
- Poe Broskoff
- Student, Bee Club Representative
- Levi Myers
- City of River Falls
- Brooks Ostendorf
- City of River Falls
Bee Club
A group of students interested in learning and educating the community about the important impact that bees have on the environment. Club activities and events focus on raising awareness, helping pollinators, and finding ways to counter the global decrease of bees.
Accomplishments
- Designated Tree Campus as of spring 2025
- Bee Hotel installation in fall 2022
- Affiliate of Bee Campus USA as of summer 2021
Fair Trade Designation
UWRF is committed to being a socially, economically and environmentally responsible university. Our fair-trade campaign aims to make fair choices when buying food and clothing for students, staff and visitors. The food and goods we purchase have an impact on the environment. Our designation holds us accountable to our commitments to our Fair Trade Campaign. UWRF completed our Fair Trade Campaign in June of 2023!
Higher Education Kit Challenge
Each year UWRF participates in the Higher Education Kit Challenge sponsored by Focus on Energy. This challenge gives students the opportunity to order a free kit of energy saving supplies. The school with the most student and staff orders wins a $5,000 prize that is used toward an energy saving project on campus. UWRF won this challenge in 2023 and 2025!
