Sustainability and NOLS

Protect Wilderness Classrooms. Fight Climate Change.

Let's face it.
NOLS students travel the globe to far-flung locations. We use outdoor gear and clothing made from synthetics derived from petroleum. We hike and paddle in pristine wilderness. NOLS is making a mark and not just with the incredible education our students receive.

Since 1965 NOLS has constantly refined its environmental practices to minimize the footprint we leave, whether it's educating students in the backcountry or conducting business around the world. Organic gardens, solar, wind, and geothermal power—NOLS is investing in sustainability.

Taking First Steps.

From 2006 to 2008, NOLS teamed up with NativeEnergy™ to offset 100% of the estimated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from our travel from branches to trailheads, electric use and heating at NOLS facilities worldwide. Offsets gave us an excellent way to lessen our environmental impact before we had a comprehensive plan to reduce it. But offsets could only take us so far, and we’re ready to go further.

Up and Running.

Leave No Trace is at the core of the NOLS philosophy, and the NOLS Strategic Plan for 2013 identified Environmental Stewardship as a top priority. In response, we're putting our resources to work by reducing the amount of carbon emissions we create in the first place.

We started with a formal plan in February of 2008, when NOLS completed an audit with sustainability consultant Pure Strategies. They helped us identify strengths and weaknesses, and steps to take to reduce all aspects of our environmental footprint. Just as a start we’re expanding our recycling program, our use of alternative energies, our operational efficiency, and our sustainability curriculum. We like our success to have a degree of measurability, so we're also moving forward with a plan to track the size of our carbon footprint—we want to know that what we’re doing is making a difference.

You Can Help.
The environmental impact caused by travel to and from NOLS courses is significant and challenging to reduce. Carbon offsets offered by NativeEnergy™ can help us meet that challenge. NOLS and NativeEnergy™ are offering a carbon offset program for your personal use. Use our Travel Calculator to figure out your carbon footprint before setting out for your NOLS course or next big adventure. It's educational, it's easy and you'll be making a difference.

A portion of each carbon-offset purchase will be donated by NativeEnergy™ to support NOLS sustainability projects.