The Rutgers Office of Climate Action was honored to host the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC) 2026 Summit at the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus from June 3–5.
NECSC is a collaborative network that brings together sustainability practitioners in higher education from Maine to Maryland. The consortium fosters professional growth, meaningful connections, and shared learning around advancing sustainable systems on college and university campuses.
Over three inspiring days, participants engaged in insightful sessions, workshops, and tours exploring topics ranging from student engagement to funding infrastructure upgrades to the new Carnegie Sustainability Classification.
A highlight of the summit was the keynote address by Ed Potosnak, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. He emphasized the importance of civic engagement, finding common ground across political differences, and working together toward the shared goals of reducing environmental harm and building healthier communities. He encouraged higher education sustainability professionals to “be a strong tree in the storm, with strong roots” grounded in knowledge and committed to helping communities move forward on critical climate issues.
Participants also enjoyed a sustainability tour of the Rutgers campus that offered a firsthand look at Rutgers’ sustainability initiatives in action. Key stops included the Rutgers Ecological Preserve, Harvest Café, agrivoltaic research sites, geothermal fields, and the net-zero Bruce and Phyllis Nicholas Engineering Student Project Studio building.
Aboard the R/V Rutgers, attendees explored the Raritan River, saw six eagles, and learned how the 36-foot research vessel is used for education and research on sea-level rise, biodiversity, and watershed health.
Thank you to all who attended, presented, and contributed to such a meaningful exchange of ideas and best practices. The community’s energy, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability were truly inspiring.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and gathering again at next year’s summit at Bowdoin College!
