Sustainable Westmont

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a place where a passion for environmental stewardship meets a foundation of Christian faith and values.

Launched with a commitment to nurturing our campus, community, and planet, Sustainable Westmont integrates efforts in biodiversity conservation, sustainable food practices, and waste management that reflects a theology of care for the Environment.

Through a combination of campus wide initiatives and educational outreach, Westmont College embraces a campus culture that honors both our world and faith, creating a sustainable future rooted in community and responsibility. Join us!

Interested in the Environmental Studies major?

Sustainable Westmont

Our Commitment

As a Christian college, we are deeply committed to sustainable practices that honor our call to care for God’s creation, human and non-human. Guided by our faith, we strive to steward the Earth with respect, integrity, and purpose, recognizing our responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for future generations. Through education and action, we dedicate ourselves to practices that reflect our love for creation and our commitment to a sustainable world.

What We’re Doing

Move Out Mindfully

Moving out? Don’t toss it—donate it! As part of Westmont’s sustainability efforts, our Move Out Mindfully program makes it easy to give your gently used items a second life. In partnership with Alpha Thrift, donation stations pop up in every residence hall during move-out season. From clothes and books to mini-fridges and mugs, your reusable items stay out of the Tajiguas Landfill and go on to support our local community. Clean out, give back, and leave your dorm a little greener!

Westmont Garden Farm Stand

The Westmont Garden Farmstand brings Westmont Garden's fresh, organically grown produce to the campus community once a month. Each farmstand features a rotating selection of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs harvested right from the garden using sustainable, chemical-free practices. The farmstand is free for Westmont students, faculty, and staff. Check your Westmont email each month for the date and location of the next farmstand, and enjoy fresh, hyper-local food while supporting the college's commitment to sustainability, community, and ecological stewardship.

Oak Woodland Restoration

Our coast live oaks are making a comeback! Westmont is teaming up with UCSB, Montecito Fire, RWMP, Kitson, and the SB County Conservation Blueprint to restore a native oak woodland on campus. After removing invasive eucalyptus between the baseball field and Las Barrancas, we’re replanting the live oak forest that once thrived there. With a 94% survival rate and major growth already, our student-led monitoring is showing great success—and the area may soon serve as a site for ecological research! Come get your hands dirty and help grow a forest for the future!

Living Prayer Labyrinth

Set beside the Westmont Garden, the Prayer Labyrinth invites students into a quiet space to pray, reflect, and meditate on God’s Word. Surrounded by native plants that support our campus ecosystem, the labyrinth is both a spiritual and ecological sanctuary. Rooted in Christian tradition, this path helps guide hearts toward God. As Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “You show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” Walk with intention. Rest in His presence. Find joy in the journey.

OUR INITIATIVES

Campus Compost

We're composting food waste from the Dining Commons and Global Leadership Dorm Kitchens in our own garden! The fresh soil is added to our rows to grow veggies for the campus community.

To get involved, join the Garden Club, apply for an internship in the garden, or take the PEA class Active Gardening for credit!

OUR INITIATIVES

Supporting Student Projects

Students provide a wealth of ideas and enthusiasm for sustainability at Westmont! Recent projects include adding a sustainability layer to the Westmont campus map, launching a free little (mug!) library near Ritchie’s, and increasing our recycling efforts for hard-to-recycle items.

If you’re a Westmont student with a campus sustainability idea, reach out to Prof. Seibert!

OUR INITIATIVES

Careers in ENV Studies lecture series

To support students interested in sustainability across all majors, we host a lecture series highlighting various career paths available. So far, we’ve hosted Uber’s Head of Electrification, a UCSB researcher working on environmental toxin exposure, and a community organizer.

We hope you join us at the next lecture!

Amanda Sparkman, Ph.D.

Director of Environmental Studies

Christine Seibert

Assistant Director of Environmental Studies

Learn More

Piper Ristow

Garden Intern

Jenna Leslie

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action Fellow

Photo by Dan Hadley: https://www.pexels.com/photo/old-friend-stopping-by-15510934/

Westmont

Biodiversity

The Westmont Biodiversity initiative is based in the Biology department at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, but is very much a collaborative endeavor of faculty, staff, students and neighbors.

Visit The Biodiversity Website

Related Programs

Environmental Studies Major

Westmont College offers an environmental studies program and courses that empower students to become environmental leaders. From environmental sociology to ecological studies, the curriculum is designed to instill a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between humans and the environment.

Learn More