WASHINGTON, D.C. — New legislation from U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) is essential to helping colleges and universities not only become more sustainable, but also support the next generation of champions for conservation. The Higher Education Sustainability Act would create a competitive grant program that could award institutions of higher education $200,000 to $500,000 grants to establish sustainability programs for their campus and sustainability programs for students.

“America’s colleges and universities will play a leading role in addressing the climate crisis,” said Kevin Coyle, vice president for education and training at the National Wildlife Federation. “Senator Whitehouse’s legislation furthers this basic idea by helping institutions of higher learning become stronger leaders in sustainable practices and by preparing future generations of conservation champions. The Senate should swiftly take up this common-sense proposal.”