The Patrick '61 and Marcelle Leahy Institute for the Environment

Developing environmentally conscious citizens as leaders, advocates, scientists, artists, humanitarians, thinkers & business people.

Our Mission

Through research, contemplation, and action, the Institute for the Environment strives to...

Prepare students to think and act critically and creatively by combining their intellectual pursuits with immersive experiences to tackle the world’s most complex issues as environmental leaders - locally and globally.

Evolve the culture of sustainability on campus and in our community to have a social impact and leave a legacy for future generations.

Foster connection between students and career experts to create career exposure and structure learning experiences such that students leave with essential workforce skills, career preparedness, and purpose.

We Teach, Learn, and Steward

We envision the Institute as a hub. A place to engage. A place to grow. A place to find purpose and make an impact.

Environmental Education

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A man waters a tree at the Farm at Saint Michael's College.

Ecological Restoration

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Sustainability

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Farm & Food

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St. Michael’s College promotional photos. 
Photo By Bear Cieri

Environmental Analysis

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About Us

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In Our Living Laboratories

Across six classrooms to impact the greater SMC and VT communities. Exploration of these areas happen in the traditional classrooms and our campus-wide living laboratory.

Stories of Teaching & Learning

After collecting the cameras, students head back up a snowy hill in the Natural Area on Feb. 13.

The Natural Area

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Mark Lubkowitz, left, and Valerie Bang-Jensen, in the Teaching Gardens earlier in their years of collaboration back in 2013. The top image behind the headline shows Mark researching corn with a collaborator a few years ago.

The Teaching, Pollinator, and Tree Nursery Gardens

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The Farm

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Student Opportunities

Connections with the greater community expand students’ access to an immersive learning experiences.

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A decade of growth and transformative experiences: Farm reaches milestone

April 29, 2025

A decade of growth and transformative experiences: Farm reaches milestone

A decade ago, the 1.7 acres of empty land behind the Saint Michael’s College observatory began a transformation into what has become a resilient farm…

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Water For All! graphic logo for 2025 event.

April 1, 2025

Water For All! event inspires two campuses to combine efforts to make clean water accessible

What cause is so significant it has united the three Saint Michael’s College Institutes – environment, global engagement, and equity & justice – plus the College’s…

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