Sustainability on Campus
Sustainability is part of who we are. It is grounded in our history of place and purpose. The practice of sustainability flows from the College mission, which serves as our compass for responsible citizenship, and from our unique experiential model of “learning by doing.”
Taking Responsibility
Addressing one of the world’s most pressing problems, climate change, requires developing scientific research and taking personal responsibility for our actions. These requirements live at the heart of sustainability at Warren Wilson, where we have committed to sourcing local and regional food in our cafeteria to reduce food transportation pollution and where each individual is contributing to our zero waste challenge by dumping all food waste into our composting system on campus.
Our sustainability efforts have been recognized by a variety of sources, including:
Our Sustainability Commitment
We acknowledge that a complex web of economic, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental factors determine the well-being of our community. We recognize our power as individuals, and in community, to influence these complex, interdependent relationships. We strive to make responsible decisions that take into account the multiple dimensions of sustainability in order to ensure quality of life now and for generations to come. Here are just some of the many ways we strive to fulfill our commitment:
Applied Climate Studies Masters Program
In June 2025, the college welcomed the first cohort of Masters of Science in Applied Climate Studies students to campus. Warren Wilson College is furthering its commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators in the Climate Action space.
Preserving Habitat
Warren Wilson College’s central campus has been named a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, a North Carolina Native Plant Sanctuary, and a certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation through Monarch Watch.
Zero Waste Initiative
In 2017, Warren Wilson wrote a Zero Waste Initiative for the College to divert 90% of all waste from the landfill by 2032 with additional efforts to reach 100% as technology becomes available.
Solar Powered Machinery
 A fleet of 10 solar powered golf carts are used to transport people and materials across campus. They also provide power for jobs too far from existing power sources on campus.
In partnership with local solar company SolFarm, students and faculty built an off-grid charging system for the college’s two electric Solectrac tractors.
Divestment and Investment
In 2015, Warren Wilson College became one of the roughly 25 U.S. colleges to pledge to divest totally from fossil fuels. The College reached 100% divestment of our portfolio in 2020.
As we divested, new investments were made in companies that demonstrate commitment to environmental sustainability; community and economic development; and transparency and accountability in corporate governance, among other traits.