Institute for Sustainability Engagement - EFC Region 2

Institute for Sustainability Engagement - EFC Region 2 Home of the SU Environmental Finance Center. Advancing sustainability in EPA Region 2 & beyond.

The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center (Syracuse EFC) facilitates the development of sustainable and resilient communities throughout US EPA Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and eight tribal nations), across the US, and internationally. Located at the Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS), Syracuse EFC enhances the ad

ministrative and financial capacities of state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations, and private sectors to make change toward improved environmental infrastructure and quality of life.

How can students’ drive for meaningful sustainability work go beyond the classroom/campus? It was our pleasure to co-lea...
06/18/2026

How can students’ drive for meaningful sustainability work go beyond the classroom/campus? It was our pleasure to co-lead a session at the SUNY Sustainability Conference at Farmingdale State College to focus on how we can connect students directly to real community-identified needs.

Together with our co-presenter, the Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM), we shared how students are engaged in applied projects in recycling, composting, water infrastructure, reuse, and circular systems, not as observers, but as contributors to real solutions. Examples include our SMM Stewardship Programs in NY and PR and our SU Water Climate Challenge, where students support municipal technical assistance and community projects, and our coordinated efforts with CSMM through the Recycle Right New York campaign, which engages communities and students alike in improving recycling systems and reducing contamination.

In addition, the Long Island Organics Initiative and Stony Brook University presented on how this work can scale regionally and how campuses can plug into existing efforts.

When we work together, universities can serve as active partners in advancing sustainability beyond campus boundaries.


Presenters:

Director Melissa Young, Institute for Sustainability Engagement

Executive Director Kathryn Walker, Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY ESF

Co-Founder Marjorie Spitz, Long Island Organics Initiative

Student and EcoLeader Akshay Illiparambil, Stony Brook University

To learn more about the event, visit https://www.farmingdale.edu/events/2026/2026-06-09-suny-sustainability-conference.shtml

Last week, our team was thrilled to present at the NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions 4th Annual Meetin...
05/28/2026

Last week, our team was thrilled to present at the NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions 4th Annual Meeting led by Clarkson University and SUNY ESF.

Members from our team were proud to contribute to three sessions over the two-day event:️️️

️🏞️ Healthy Watershed Governance & Organizing Models: Our very own Tess Clark co-moderated a panel of practitioners from across NYS with Maddie Nyblade to share governance structures, partnership models, and strategies driving real progress on water quality and resilience, with a facilitated discussion on how these models could take root in watersheds like Onondaga Creek.

🎓 Preparing the Next Generation for Professional Pathways in Water: Averi Davis moderated a panel exploring how community-engaged water quality monitoring and student internship programs can strengthen both aquatic resource stewardship and workforce development across NYS. The panel featured ISE Intern Alice Kilkelly, Angel French who is the Chief Operator from the City of Watertown Pollution Control Facility, and more!

💧 VersaWater: Addressing Small Water System Challenges in NYS: Tess Clark led a collaborative learning session centered on the NSF-funded VersaWater project, tackling key questions around supporting small systems in accessing safe drinking water and bridging research, practice, and community knowledge. Huge thanks to Izumi Matsuda, Design & Partnerships Officer, Reach, Ruth Richardson, (Primary Investigator for the VersaWater project) Associate Professor, Cornell University School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Francisco E Guzman, ISE Technical Specialist, for sharing their expertise!

We're grateful for the opportunity to share our work with researchers, stakeholders, and citizens equally committed to addressing current and emerging water challenges in New York. We're already looking forward to next year's meeting!

Join us at the NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions 4th Annual Meeting! Led by Clarkson University and SU...
05/06/2026

Join us at the NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions 4th Annual Meeting! Led by Clarkson University and SUNY ESF, this event brings together researchers, stakeholders, and citizens for in-depth discussions and networking as we explore collaborative opportunities to address current and emerging water challenges in New York. There is NO COST to attend.

Staff from ISE will be sharing their insights and ideas as panelists and moderators alongside other wonderful minds in the water industry. Find us in the sessions highlighted in the slides below.

Date(s): May 19-21, 2026

Location: The Gateway Center at SUNY ESF in Syracuse, NY

To register and learn more, click here: https://healthywaters.org/annual-meeting/

💧 Interested in strengthening your septic system management in your community but unsure where to start? Join us Tuesday...
05/05/2026

💧 Interested in strengthening your septic system management in your community but unsure where to start? Join us Tuesday, June 9th from 12:30–2pm EST for “Septic System Challenges Across Scales: Collaborative Approaches to Outreach and Management,” a no-cost webinar featuring real examples from New York State where panelists will share the partnerships and management strategies that they have used to strengthen outreach, support homeowners, and address shared water quality challenges.

This webinar has been organized by our Environmental Finance Center, and will be moderated by Jenelle Booker, ISE Education Coordinator. The webinar will also feature presentations from the following panelists:

💧 Carol Borg, Director, Bradley Brook District 1, Hatch-Bradley Brook Lakes Association

💧 Mackenzie Gregg, Planner, Environmental Design & Research (EDR)

💧 Megan Webster, District Manager, Ontario County Soil & Water Conservation District

💧 Tad Gerace, Conservation District Technician, Ontario County Soil & Water Conservation District

🔗 Register Here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2993250437178732885



👥 This webinar is hosted in partnership with the Environmental Finance Center Network.

What’s going down our storm drains? ⛈️ Researchers at ISE continue to search for the answer to this question as part of ...
05/04/2026

What’s going down our storm drains? ⛈️ Researchers at ISE continue to search for the answer to this question as part of our ongoing collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology’s Community Action for Stormwater Clean-Up and Debris Elimination (CASCADE) program.

With the use of ™ technology, our team collects samples from the contents of two storm drains in the Syracuse area: one located on Marshall Street and another in front of the Museum of Science & Technology - MOST (MOST). Analyzing this storm drain debris will help us to better understand litter types & patterns, how it's transported through our combined sewer systems, and ultimately, how it potentially pollutes our water bodies (e.g., Onondaga Lake) during heavy rain events. The goal is to identify upstream solutions to prevent from occurring in the first place.

Our Project Assistant Samuel K.A Nyamekye recently tabled at the MOST to share our findings and answer community questions. Catch us at a future outreach event!

Learn more about the project here:

https://sustainabilityengagement.syracuse.edu/federal-funds-to-support-stormwater-plastic-pollution-research-and-education-in-syracuse/

https://www.rit.edu/plasticpollution/cascade

💧💸 Join us Tuesday, May 26th from 1–3pm EST for a no cost webinar to dive into the world of state and federal funding fo...
04/30/2026

💧💸 Join us Tuesday, May 26th from 1–3pm EST for a no cost webinar to dive into the world of state and federal funding for clean and safe water infrastructure and other essential community projects. In the second half of the session, attendees will participate in an interactive game set in the fictional Town of Calamity Falls, where they will work through real-world funding scenarios alongside agency representatives. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from representatives from key state and federal agencies, learn how funding programs work together, and gain practical insight into preparing for upcoming grant and financing opportunities!

This webinar has been organized by our Environmental Finance Center, and will be moderated by Averi Davis, ISE Program Manager. The webinar will also feature presentations from the following state and federal funding agency representatives:

- USDA Rural Development
- NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation
- NYSDOH - New York State Health Department
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- New York State Homes & Community Renewal

🔗Register Here: https://lnkd.in/esUeR8fN

04/29/2026

💧📢 We’re ! The Institute for Sustainability Engagement (ISE) at Syracuse University is looking for a Water Research and Engagement Associate to join our team.

This role will primarily support our Environmental Finance Center, contributing to applied research, community engagement, and technical assistance efforts focused on water infrastructure, funding and policy, and community resilience. The position works closely with local governments, utilities, and community partners to help advance clean, safe, and reliable water systems.

The Water Research and Engagement Associate will help design and deliver trainings, develop tools and resources, support grant-funded projects, and contribute to research and reporting efforts. This role also involves building partnerships, coordinating projects, and identifying new funding opportunities to support community-driven work.

We’re looking for a strong communicator who is comfortable working across multiple priorities and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate brings experience in water resources, environmental infrastructure, or community planning, along with the ability to translate technical information into clear, engaging communication materials, including public presentations. Experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis, and applying those insights to real-world projects, is also valued.

📍 Syracuse, NY (in-person, hybrid)
💼 Full-time
🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/112821

Earlier this month, our Environmental Finance Center was proud to support New York Section AWWA (NYSAWWA)’s One Water Wo...
04/28/2026

Earlier this month, our Environmental Finance Center was proud to support New York Section AWWA (NYSAWWA)’s One Water Workforce initiative by moderating a solutions-focused roundtable at New York’s 2026 Water Event.

Participants explored ways to strengthen the water workforce by engaging K-12 and college students, as well as educators, to build stronger pathways into water careers. The discussion also highlighted opportunities for regional collaboration to help New York utilities address workforce gaps and build lasting partnerships.

A big thank you to Jenny Ingrao, NYSAWWA Executive Director, and the rest of NYSAWWA for the opportunity to lead this conversation, and to all who participated. We’re already looking forward to next year!

How are young environmental leaders making a difference in their communities? Hear from our most recent NY Sustainable M...
04/21/2026

How are young environmental leaders making a difference in their communities?

Hear from our most recent NY Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Stewardship Program cohort as they present on their community projects all across NYS on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Projects span from NYC, Syracuse, Ithaca, Stony Brook, Buffalo, Brockport, Potsdam, Binghamton, Geneseo, Stone Ridge, Merrick, and Hamilton. Topics include:

🎒 Leading K-12 lessons on SMM-related topics

🚮 Facilitating litter cleanups and waste characterization

♻️ Hosting pop-up reuse events and repair clinics

🌱 Building a compost bin

🏭 Coordinating tours to local SMM facilities

And much more!

Drop-in anytime May 4-6 between 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to be inspired by these community projects, ask our stewards questions, and help them make valuable professional connections as they prepare to enter the workforce. Register using the QR code on the flyer or by following this link: https://lnkd.in/g4wbyudy

The NYS SMM Stewardship Program pays college students across NYS to learn about and implement sustainable materials management (SMM) projects in their local communities. Stewards go through trainings in the fall to learn about SMM, and then in the spring, stewards complete hands-on projects on a topic of their choosing in their areas of residence.

This program is administered in partnership with the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling (NYSAR3), with funding support provided by the Center for Sustainable Materials Management and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

We are proud to be introducing this year’s cohort of Water Climate Challenge students to careers in the water sector. He...
04/13/2026

We are proud to be introducing this year’s cohort of Water Climate Challenge students to careers in the water sector. Here’s a snapshot of what they’ve been up to this so far this semester:



💧 First, the students attended a site visit to Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Led by a senior operator of the facility, they walked through the facilities and viewed each stage of the treatment process step by step, learning about anerobic digestion, microbial indicator species, and more. Tours are open to the public, and our students highly recommend them to anyone interested in learning where our water goes and the work it takes to keep Onondaga Lake clean!



🏢 Next, the students also visited the Syracuse Center of Excellence. SyracuseCoE proudly holds a LEED Platinum certification—the highest rating for green buildings, and the first one awarded in Syracuse. The SyracuseCoE is a living lab that unites academic, industry, and community partners to advance energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality using cutting-edge, low-carbon technologies.



👷🏼‍♀️ While at the Center, the students met with the Town Engineer from the Town of Skaneateles, Miranda Robinson, who candidly spoke about her path into the water sector and the realities of working as a municipal engineer. She also gave the students valuable guidance to support their work with the City of Mount Vernon by digging into the topic of lead service lines, including the complexities of public and private side service line distinctions, and the funding and public engagement challenges associated with lead service line replacement ( ). So much gratitude and appreciation for Miranda!!



Stay tuned for what the Water Climate Challenge students get up to next!

Address

727 E Washington Street
Syracuse, NY
13244

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Institute for Sustainability Engagement - EFC Region 2 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category