Environmental Quality and Land Use

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Environmental Quality and Land Use

IU Northwest is dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the air, land, and water resources of Northwest Indiana. Our urban campus faces the same challenges to surrounding communities; the urban heat island effect, degraded air and land quality, and localized flooding.

Sustainability at IU Northwest focuses on harnessing the expertise of our campus community to research issues and engage through innovative solutions and problem-solving.

IU Northwest is taking action here on campus and in surrounding communities to restore natural ecosystems, improve environmental quality, and mitigate and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

Natural Areas

Dr. Spencer Cortwright of the Department of Biology has restored an 11-acre site adjacent to IUN's campus on City of Gary property into a high-quality prairie and wetland complex. The Little Calumet River Prairie and Wetlands Nature Preserve is a living laboratory for teaching, research and creative activity, and outreach.

Tree Campus USA

The IUN Urban Forestry Project is working to develop a campus forest structure that enhances the social and environmental health of the campus community, the local community of Gary, and the natural environment and ecosystems of Northwest Indiana. IUN is Tree Campus USA certified by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Landscape

The landscape services division of IU Northwest Facilities Services strives to maintain a campus environment that is rich with native plant species. It also supports the care and maintenance of our urban forest project.

Office of Sustainability