USDA NIFA Sustainable Systems at FDLTCC

Our new Sustainable Systems track in Environmental Science is a three-pronged approach that includes implementing a Sustainable Systems Certificate, increasing growing capacity on campus, and supporting farmer training. The curriculum is place-based, with a foundation in Anishinaabe perspectives and values to teach a holistic approach to cultivating, growing and harvesting food as well as sustainability practices for climate change mitigation. Our approach is unique because it is focused not just on sustainability as practice but also on the traditional methods and perspectives that are important to our community.

Environmental Sustainability Certificate

  • Ground students in Sustainability through hands on demonstrations
  • Increase student led research in our demonstration garden and agricultural learning spaces at FDLTCC
  • Students will learn about starting a farm focused business
  • Provide internships to FDLTCC students to pursue sustainability and agriculturally based programs
  • Support regional and Fond du Lac community members in their pursuit to become sustainable agricultural producers Provide alternative and Indigenous perspectives to the field of sustainability

Learn more about the Environmental Sustainability Certificate

 

Partners
  • USDA NIFA
  • American Indian College Fund
  • Fond du Lac Resource Management
  • Fond du Lac Gitigaan Community Program
  • St. Scholastica
  • WINHEC

Vista Partnerships

Americorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) funded by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) currently serve at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Annual Events
  • Bee Symposium: Our bee symposium brings people from across the region to learn about pollinators, bees and native bees.
  • Earth Week: Focuses on promoting conservation practices through demonstrations, tabling, and videos
  • Sustainability Week: Builds on our Earth Week to incorporate and raise awareness in the field of sustainability
  • Research Symposium: features regional research experts and give students more outlook on research pathways creating larger networks.
Campus Sustainability
  • Gardening: FDLTCC boasts 4 Hugel mounds, several raised beds, a greenhouse, and rain catchment system. Pollinator Habitat: FDLTCC has installed a bee yard and increased campus pollinator habitat for native bees and butterflies.
  • Medicine Garden: Students have designed and built a medicine garden on campus that places that four sacred medicines in its center and native pollinator species in the surrounding areas
  • Recycling: The Environmental Institute work study students maintain and uphold proper recycling procedures around and on campus
Testimonials
I chose FDLTCC because of its size and the curriculum. When I first came here in 2019, I was just looking for what I needed to volunteer, perhaps in a crisis shelter. I met with Don Jarvinen, and the rest is history.
My favorite thing about FDLTCC is the people. I’ve met fantastic students, faculty and staff who go above and beyond what I expected.
It is awesome here at the FDLTCC Education Program because it is like a family here, if you need help or are struggling with anything, you have quite a few people who will help you out.