Campus remains open at this time.
2025-08-01 08:32:17
We will share updates by email as they become available. There's a link here
Power is out on FLC campus today Fri. Aug. 1. LPEA is responding.
2025-08-01 08:26:47
We will share updates by email as they become available.

Projects that serve the environment and our community

The Environmental Center is a student driven program at heart. Every year, students brainstorm, plan, implement, maintain, evaluate, and improve dozens of projects and programs that create a more environmentally and socially responsible community. 

Learn more about food and agriculture at FLC

Growing spaces

The EC manages two campus food production spaces, allowing volunteers and academic courses to practice regenerative gardening and gain hands-on experience growing food used by Campus Dining, Grub Hub, volunteers, and Environmental Center programs.

For growing spaces volunteer, academic, and work opportunities, contact Coordinator Maggie Magierski.

Students work on a row of greens in the Campus Garden

Campus Garden

The 750-square-foot annual production vegetable garden is located beyond the northeast corner of the Center of Southwest Studies parking lot. During the growing season, this garden is partially irrigated through our rain barrel, which captures water from the garden shed roof.

A view of the Food Forest Orchard, Hogsback Mountain, and the La Platas

Food Forest Orchard

The EC's Food Forest Orchard uses permaculture design principles to create a growing space that includes fruit trees (apples, pears, apricots, cherries, and plums), shrubs, berries, and other native pollinator-attractant and medicinal plants.

EC staff give a tour of the Ozone Garden, with a solar panel in the background.

Ozone Garden

The northeast corner of the Food Forest houses the Ozone Garden—a collaboration with the Engineering Department. This garden features monitoring equipment that detects atmospheric conditions, including ozone levels, and highlights native, non-native, perennial, and annual plants susceptible to ozone.

Check out live data

Dining hall initiatives

The EC is dedicated to reducing FLC’s environmental impact through food waste and sustainability initiatives. Collaborating with Campus Dining and sustainability partners, we implement programs that cut waste, promote eco-friendly dining, and raise awareness about sustainable food practices. These practices help reduce our carbon footprint and foster environmental responsibility on campus.

Dining hall staff member next to the Rocket composter.

Campus composting

Our Rocket Composter diverts over 10,000 pounds of food waste from the Dining Hall annually, turning it into compost for campus gardens and landscapes. This closed-loop system reduces waste and supports sustainable landscaping efforts. Not available to the public.

A student serves themselves a plate in the dining hall.

Weigh the Waste

The EC partners with Campus Dining on an ongoing post-consumer food waste awareness program. This program captures food waste from diners' plates to encourage them only to take what they will eat and reduce overall food waste.

Fresh produce from the EC Campus Garden

Reducing carbon impact

The EC partners with Fresh Eats to reduce food and packaging waste and shift to lower carbon menu options. These initiatives support our commitment to sustainability, ensuring that campus dining promotes environmental responsibility.

People chopping vegetables.

Plant-based meals

The Environmental Center and Campus Dining partner to offer a free, entirely plant-based meal during Earth Week in April. We also develop recipes and conduct focus groups with students to ensure their preferences are considered.

Zero waste

The EC promotes waste reduction and sustainable living through a range of programs. These initiatives provide students and staff with resources and opportunities to minimize waste, access eco-friendly transportation, and provide reuse and recycling options on campus.

Learn more about recycling, composting, and purchasing at FLC

EC students manning the EC Free Store

Free Store

The EC's Free Store offers students gently used clothing, household items, and school supplies, reducing waste through reuse. Donations can be made during regular hours.

FLC student carrying a cardboard moving box.

Move-Out/Move-In Program

EC works with Campus Housing and Grub Hub to collect unwanted, non-perishable food, clothing, and household items like microwaves and mini-fridges, reducing waste during student move-outs. At the beginning of the fall semester, these items are given away or sold at minimal cost to students.

FLC students visit the Durango Recycling Center

Recycling

We work with campus residences and academic halls to educate the FLC community on proper local recycling regulations. For information on recycling resources, check out the City of Durango's Recycling website. We accept inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges, and batteries for recycling. You can drop of items at our office during office hours. This service is available only for campus-use items from FLC students, staff, and faculty. We are unable to accept personal items from home. We do not accept lightbulbs or electronics.

E-bike loan program

The Environmental Center offers a free electric bike loan program to provide students and staff with access to environmentally friendly transportation. Applications are accepted at the beginning of each semester and are assessed based on need.

Apply for the E-bike Loan Program today!

EC students with a truck full of e-bikes.

Ecology & stewardship

Our campus is home to various initiatives to preserve local ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and encourage community engagement in conservation efforts. We work to create a sustainable campus environment that reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and supports the beauty and vitality of our surrounding region.

Learn more about open space, biodiversity, and water at FLC

A native Southwestern Colorado plant.

Ecological landscaping

We support the campus grounds crew in maintaining natural landscaping and low or no-irrigation xeriscape gardens, focusing on minimal water use and biodiversity, attracting pollinators, and supporting and restoring native ecosystems.  

EC students work together to plant a large tree sapling.

Tree Campus USA

FLC is proud to be part of Tree Campus Higher Education, planting native or climate-adapted trees that improve our campus environment by increasing shade and reducing irrigation needs.

A group of students in a mountainous landscape with trail-building tools

Trail work

Partnering with local community organizations, we host volunteer trail work events benefiting both recreationalists and commuters, helping to maintain the beauty of our region’s trails. Past and current partners include the San Juan Mountains Association and Durango Trails.