Registered Student Organizations | Sustainability | SIU

Partner Student Organizations

The Sustainability Office encourages and promotes student organizations with an interest in sustainability. If your RSO works to create a more sustainability-minded campus or community, you can be featured here. Contact us at sustainability@siu.edu to find out more about how to be featured here. 

If you are a student that would like to join one of these organizations, you should be able to contact the leadership team members of each of these organizations through the links or other information provided below. If you are not able to find the information you need, contact the Office of Student Engagement at 618.453.5714 or getinvolved@siu.edu and ask them how to get in contact with the leader of the specific organization below that you would like to join.

Leaders from the RSOs meet monthly as part of the Sustainability Collaborative. (The Sustainability Collaborative is not currently active. However, if the student groups would like to re-start this initiative, please let us know!)

SENSE (Students Embracing Nature, Sustainability, and Environmentalism)

 SIU SENSE (Students Embracing Nature, Sustainability, and Environmentalism) is a campus organization that provides a platform for collective student-led action on environmental and sustainability issues. Formed from the student group known as Eco Dawgs that led the campaign to establish the SIU Green Fee and Sustainability Council, the group has long been at the forefront of pushing for a more sustainable university. More recently, SENSE has spearheaded the SIU Fossil Free campaign, aimed at ending SIU’s longstanding ties with the fossil fuel industry and getting the university to take action on climate change. This has included ongoing efforts to get SIU to divest from fossil fuel companies and transition to 100% renewable energy, among other things. Aside from political action, SENSE engages in a wide range of other activities relating to sustainability and the environment, including volunteer work, nature outings, and environmental education. New ideas from students wanting to work together on a sustainability or environmental project are always welcome. 

Check out their facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/SIUSENSE/

Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm in Morris Library Room 174

Saluki Environmental Educators (SEE)

Saluki Environmental Educators is dedicated to advancing the mission of fostering excellence in environmental education and interpretation. This organization is committed to enhancing members' understanding of natural and cultural history while honing their communication skills. They provide opportunities, support, and activities for students interested in pursuing careers in environmental interpretation or education. Through workshops, events, and hands-on experiences, the group actively contributes to environmental education efforts both on campus and throughout the Southern Illinois region and beyond. The Saluki Environmental Educators also engage with the broader community, promoting environmental awareness and stewardship as they work to support the interpretive profession. 

If you are interested in learning more about their local natural resources or gaining experience communicating with the public about the environment, contact them at salukiheritage@gmail.com!

American Fisheries Society SIU Subunit

The American Fisheries Society SIU Subunit is the student-led chapter of the American Fisheries Society national organization at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. The organization exists to provide information, collaboration, and support to students interested in the field of fisheries. To achieve this goal, the Subunit provides resources in the form of social events among fisheries-interested students and the greater SIU scientific community, symposia demonstrating fisheries techniques, and guest lectures with fisheries professionals. 

Meetings held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 5 pm in LifeScience II Room 367.

SIU Backpacking Club

Backpacking Club is focused on providing both entry level and experienced backpackers an outlet to engage with nature in a fun and safe manner, while also creating unforgettable memories. The club hope to help those interested in backpacking become more knowledgeable and confident, and provide experienced backpackers a system of support to further themselves in the hobby.

Meetings are held on Mondays at 4:00 pm in Agricultural Building Room 187.

Geology Club

Geology Club strives to spread knowledge of Earth and the phenomena she creates to fellow students and the Carbondale community. Together members will embark on field trips, outreach opportunities, and special events with the Department of Geology in order to nurture and strengthen interest in geology and such related subjects as mineralogy, petrology, hydrology, paleontology, etc. Activities include hiking trips, fossil and mineral hunts, hosting field trips from local schools, and putting on events for annual banquets and parties.
Check out their facebook page for more information.
Meetings are held on Thursdays at 6:00 pm in Parkinson Room 103.

Plant Biology Student Organization

The Plant Biology Student Organization is for students interested in activities and organizations associated with the Plant Biology Department. It is there to provide connections and opportunities within the department as well as in groups associated with sustainability and the natural areas around SIU.

Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays at 4:00 pm in LSII 4th Conference Room.

SIU Climbing Club

In climbing club, we cater to all skill levels. We will mostly be going outside to climb and have fun! We are not limited to that, though. Other activities include, but are not limited to, movie nights, cleaning up local climbing areas, and learning new outdoors skills. We have virtual meetings every week. These meetings will be covering: Leave No Trace (LNT) policies so we can make our climbing destinations sustainable, learning new climbing techniques to be a safer and stronger climber, and going over our two big trips during Thanksgiving and spring break. During this weird weird COVID year our trips are all going to be local. Climbing Club has a history of traveling out west over Spring Break (we do not have Spring Break this year). We will be taking trips all over Southern Illinois, showing you all the best well known spots and those cool hidden climbing spots that Southern Illinois has to offer! So, join climbing club to find out all of the amazing climbing destinations that Carbondale has to offer!