Past Events

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

Once a week on Fridays, The Knoll will collaborate with Anderson Freeman Center (AFC) to host Reading Hours - weekly conversations around themes of belonging, environmental justice, community wellness, systemic oppression, and more! Visit go/knollhours for more info and to sign up! 

Can we build bioregional foodways for the Northeast centered on trees? Join Elspeth Hay (‘07), author of the new book Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food and Chez Liley of Wellspring Commons for a conversation exploring how our food systems might change if we broadened our vision of farming to include the native nut trees of our forested landscape, and how that might reshape our relationships to the world around us.  

Aimed at students with an interest in sustainable agriculture, wildlands conservation, ecosystem restoration, food policy, and journalism, this discussion will delve into some of the assumptions underpinning our current food system and focus on practical ways to transform climate anxiety into action as we look to feed ourselves while regenerating and protecting our home ecosystems.

Elspeth Hay ‘07 is the creator and host of the Local Food Report, a weekly feature that has aired on the Cape and Islands National Public Radio station since 2008, and the author of the award-winning book, Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food. Deeply immersed in her own local-food system, Elspeth’s work focuses on the people, places, and ideas that feed us. Learn more at elspethhay.com.

Cherry (Chez) Liley is co-founder of Wellspring Commons, a nonprofit working to foster bioregional foodways in the Northeast, including reviving acorns as an important crop for the human diet, in ways that protect the standing forests. Learn more at wellspringcommons.org.

This new alumni-student network is all about connecting you with Midd grads working across the renewable energy space—people who’ve been in your shoes and are now building careers in a fast-growing, impact-driven field.

All April long, the newly launched MAREA (Middlebury Alumni in Renewable Energy Association), is hosting the 2026 Spring Alumni Speaker Series: Pathways to Careers in Renewable Energy. Each week features a different panel focused on a key part of the industry, so you can get a full picture of the many paths into clean energy.

St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated as the patron saint of animals and is also recognized as a symbol of pacifism and brotherhood. How then could the figure of St. Francis end up serving the Fascist political project, most tellingly by being declared the Patron Saint of (Fascist) Italy in 1939? Why, and how, would this scrawny Saint become the emblem of a nation dedicated to war?

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

Join us on Monday 20^th to create your own Earth Week themed lino prints. CAF Fellows, Josette and Meïssa will be guiding you through the art of linocut and printmaking. Linocut is a fun art form where you carve a design into a rubber-like surface and then use ink on it to make prints on fabric or paper.  
We will bring used clothes and fabrics to print on but feel free to also bring your own printable surfaces! 

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

“Climate Change Impact During the Transition to Renewable Energy in the Natural and Social Landscape in Tierra del Fuego, Southern Chile” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Gabriela Mora-Klepis, Senior Research Technician, Geography and Geosciences Department, at The University of Vermont.

This new alumni-student network is all about connecting you with Midd grads working across the renewable energy space—people who’ve been in your shoes and are now building careers in a fast-growing, impact-driven field.

All April long, the newly launched MAREA (Middlebury Alumni in Renewable Energy Association), is hosting the 2026 Spring Alumni Speaker Series: Pathways to Careers in Renewable Energy. Each week features a different panel focused on a key part of the industry, so you can get a full picture of the many paths into clean energy.

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

Once a week on Fridays, The Knoll will collaborate with Anderson Freeman Center (AFC) to host Reading Hours - weekly conversations around themes of belonging, environmental justice, community wellness, systemic oppression, and more! Visit go/knollhours for more info and to sign up! 

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

Come meet fellow Environmental Studies majors, minors, and faculty. Learn more about the major and opportunities in the program and get any questions answered prior to fall ‘26 registration. Prospective majors and minors are also encouraged to attend. Light snack and refreshments will be provided. 

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

Once a week on Fridays, The Knoll will collaborate with Anderson Freeman Center (AFC) to host Reading Hours - weekly conversations around themes of belonging, environmental justice, community wellness, systemic oppression, and more! Visit go/knollhours for more info and to sign up! 

The Scott A. Margolin ’99 Lecture in Environmental Affairs takes an interdisciplinary approach to the natural environment and human interaction with it.

In 1998, the Environmental Affairs Lecture was named in honor of Scott A. Margolin, of the Middlebury College Class of 1999. In his one year here, Scott established himself as a dedicated student of Environmental Studies, a leader in Environmental Quality and other student affairs, and an outstanding writer. He lives in our memory.

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

Environmental Studies Core Conversations: Truth in Environmentalism
Mez Baker-Medard, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies
Dan Brayton, Julian W. Abernethy Professor of Literature and member of the Environmental Studies Program
Molly Costanza-Robinson, Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Studies
Joseph Holler, Associate Professor of Geography

Want to learn more about the Climate Action Fellowship? Join us for a info session and Q&A on all things CAF.

For 23 years the Knoll has been powered by students and the Middlebury community. Come join us in the garden this spring! No experience required; please check out go/knollhours for more detailed information.

“Consilience, Ecology, and Public Education:  A Look at The Walden Project and Perennial Learning” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Matthew Schlein, M.A., M.S.W. and Founder/Director of The Willowell Foundation.

Join students, staff, faculty, and community members for a talk with Alex Barron, Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy from Smith College. Professor Barron will cover topics such as climate solutions in higher education, decarbonization and climate policy.

Want to learn more about the Climate Action Fellowship? Join us for an info session and Q&A on all things CAF.

Join in person or on zoom at this link

“Animal Farming Should Be Environmentalists’ Central Focus” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Kevin Kuruc, Assistant Professor of Economics at Middlebury College.

Animal agriculture destroys more habitat than any other human activity and ranks among the most water intensive. The industry produces enough greenhouse gases to push warming close to two degrees on its own. And it causes tremendous suffering to the farmed animals themselves. No human activity is more at odds with our shared goals and values.

Environmental Studies Conversations: Community-Engaged and Collective Action Learning Panel
Lindsey Berk, Executive Director, ACORN
Johanna Miller,Energy and Climate Program Director and VECAN Coordinator, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Amy L. Redman, Environmental Justice and Health Equity Advisor, Vermont Department of Health

Do you ever think about your socioeconomic class at Middlebury, but feel afraid to discuss it with others? What if there was a cozy and open space to chat about these things? Our workshop will provide educational materials and community building examining socioeconomic class at Middlebury. Using materials from organizations like Resource Generation and readings such as The Financial Activist Playbook, we will talk about our family backgrounds and money stories in a relaxed environment with tea and snacks. People of all class backgrounds are encouraged to attend!

“Barriers to Agricultural Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from Ethiopia” an Environmental Studies senior thesis presentation by Ben Rosmarin ‘2025.5 Environmental Policy major.

Do you ever think about your socioeconomic class at Middlebury, but feel afraid to discuss it with others? What if there was a cozy and open space to chat about these things? Our workshop will provide educational materials and community building examining socioeconomic class at Middlebury. Using materials from organizations like Resource Generation and readings such as The Financial Activist Playbook, we will talk about our family backgrounds and money stories in a relaxed environment with tea and snacks. People of all class backgrounds are encouraged to attend!

Faculty, staff, and students: Join us for lunch and discussion with Frank Sesno ‘77 to hear about how students can tap into the incredible resources of Planet Forward. This is a great chance for faculty and staff to understand how Planet Forward resources can support classroom and co-curricular work, and an inside look for students into how they can up their storytelling and publishing skills!

We’ll discuss:

Do you ever think about your socioeconomic class at Middlebury, but feel afraid to discuss it with others? What if there was a cozy and open space to chat about these things? Our workshop will provide educational materials and community building examining socioeconomic class at Middlebury. Using materials from organizations like Resource Generation and readings such as The Financial Activist Playbook, we will talk about our family backgrounds and money stories in a relaxed environment with tea and snacks. People of all class backgrounds are encouraged to attend!

We are excited to share that John Fullerton will be at Middlebury College on January 8, 2026, for a special event celebrating the launch of his new book, Regenerative Economics: Revolutionary Thinking for a World in Crisis.

He’ll be joined by Donna Ramirez-Harrington, Chair of UVM’s Department of Economics and Affiliate with the Gund Institute for the Environment, for a conversation exploring the core ideas of regenerative economics and what it means for the future of business, finance, and our global systems.

Join the Sustainability and Environmental Affairs (SEA) team to hear about upcoming on-campus paid spring and summer internship opportunities and application/hiring timelines.

Learn what it’s like to work with The Knoll, Sustainability Solutions Lab, Climate Action Fellowship, EcoReps, and Weybridge House. Find more info on the SEA website.

Do you ever think about your socioeconomic class at Middlebury, but feel afraid to discuss it with others? What if there was a cozy and open space to chat about these things? Our workshop will provide educational materials and community building examining socioeconomic class at Middlebury. Using materials from organizations like Resource Generation and readings such as The Financial Activist Playbook, we will talk about our family backgrounds and money stories in a relaxed environment with tea and snacks. People of all class backgrounds are encouraged to attend!

ENVS 0401 B Community Engaged Environmental Studies Practicum Presentations: What Next?

An Environmental Studies senior thesis presentation by Elliote Muir ‘2025.5 Environmental Writing major.

ENVS 0401 A Community Engaged Environmental Studies Practicum Presentations: Building for the Future While Navigating Uncertainty

Interested in sustainability and climate action on campus but not sure where to begin? All are welcome to drop by the EcoReps Community Circles, a space to meet new people, discover new opportunities, and connect with one another!

A different craft or activity that you can take home will be offered each circle as an easy way to connect and keep our hands busy. Bring your friends or come and meet new ones, we hope to see you there!

Join us for a special community lunch. Together, we’ll pull together the various lessons, insights, and next steps we have explored over the course of the conference.

Join us to discuss the future of climate action at Middlebury with a range of breakout topics led by students and alums.

From leading chants at COP in Montreal in 2005, to charting the launch of Step It Up and 350.org, to clarifying demands for NOXL, to emphasizing the importance of Fossil Free Media, Jamie Henn has been a driver of strategic grassroots climate action since his time at Middlebury.

In this conversation with President Ian Baucom, Henn will share his experiences of what really does work, as well as an understanding of the forces that shape climate narratives and misinformation.

Students are often the drivers of major change at Middlebury, and this panel will give us the chance to hear from several former and current student leaders about how they approached their time on campus. We’ll hear about the founding of SNEG and 350.org, Divest Midd, and current efforts. Aroneanu and Baker will also share how their time at Middlebury shaped their paths as advocates for clean and just futures.

Lunch served in the Great Hall, Panel hosted in MBH 216. Featuring Ella Powers ‘27, Isaac Baker ‘14.5, and Phil Aroneanu ‘06.5

The What Works Now Conference will be kicked off with a Thursday Night SNEG meeting! Join students and alumni for a night of community and climate action. 

“Educating for (Climate) Change” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk featuring:

Bill McKibben, Schumann Distinguished Scholar of Environmental Studies,
Jon Isham, Director of the Environmental Studies Program and Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies
Dan Suarez, C.V. Starr Fellow in International Studies and Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Minna Brown ’07, Director of the Middlebury Climate Action Program