Over the last decade, researchers have been documenting what many of us know intuitively - that nature is good for our health and well-being. Regularly spending time outdoors can reduce stress and boost immunity, energy levels, and creativity. 

Challenge yourself to spend at least 30 minutes outdoors in nature each day for all 30 days of April. Eat your lunch outside, go for a walk, or enjoy a local park! 

Tag us on Instagram (@pennsustainability), Twitter (@greenpenn), or Facebook (@PennSustainability) and use the hashtags #Penn30x30Challenge and #NatureRxPenn in your post to share your pictures of spending time outside. 

Check back in March for the link to register for the challenge here and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed of any updates.

Penn supports the greening of urban areas, and especially in the greater Philadelphia region, by providing free trees to staff and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital System. 

The University partners with TreePhilly, a program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, for the Creating Canopy tree giveaway. 

Since the first Creating Canopy event in 2011, Penn has distributed nearly 2,500 trees.

Green Living Certification provides recognition for the individual decisions you make on a daily basis to live in a sustainable way, even if seemingly small. Everyone has a critical role to play in the University’s sustainability initiatives, and in moving towards a more resilient future. 

Certification is open to all currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students living on and off campus. Instructions on how to apply are detailed below.

All certified students receive a Green Living Certified sticker, and are entered into raffles throughout the year for fun, reusable prizes. 

Offices represent a significant portion of Penn’s energy and material use and waste production. The Penn Sustainability Office recognizes the efforts of staff and faculty to green their daily activities by offering four levels of Green Office certification.

Certified offices report on existing activities, and implement new activities, across 7 categories: Waste, Purchasing, Energy, Water, Indoor Air Quality and Human Health, Transportation and Involvement. The more actions you implement, the higher certification level you can achieve. 

Since inception of the program, 156 offices across Penn have been Green Office Certified.

PennGreen is a Pre-Orientation Program for new, incoming students. Participants learn about and engage in the culture of sustainability at Penn and throughout Philadelphia, all while meeting new peers with a shared interest in environmentalism.

The 5-day program changes years to year, but always centers on environmental and sustainability focused experiences. Participants may visit local green spaces, learn about local food systems, explore sustainable features across campus and Philadelphia, and/or go on an overnight camping trip among many other fun, sustainable activities! 

PennGreen is led and facilitated by upper class students who have participated in the program before, or who are leaders of sustainability organizations on campus. They excitedly await each new student's arrival on campus!

This community orchard aims to educate and create access to local food through a partnership with Philadelphia Orchard Project.

To connect current and past Penn students, staff and faculty with an interest in sustainability.

The climate emergency is everyone's business. Join Climate Week at Penn to find your place in the climate movement.