Brian Croft, director of sustainability and Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center and SIU, in the SIU sustainability office surrounded by boxes for the campus toner recycling program. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
October 31, 2025
Sustainability, Touch of Nature unification at SIU enhances commitment and mission
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Bringing Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s sustainability efforts under the umbrella of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center perfectly meshes with the school’s mission of education and outreach, officials said. As the integration moves forward, officials are seeking campus and public input on what the future of sustainability at SIU should look like.
“Sustainability is one of the five pillars of our Imagine 2030 strategic plan,” said Jeffery T. Burgin Jr., vice chancellor for student affairs. “Our decades of leadership in sustainability fit perfectly with Touch of Nature. This partnership is a win-win for students and the community.”
As SIU officials formulate plans, they will examine available resources, gather input from students and the community, and investigate how other universities address sustainability, said Brian Croft, executive director of sustainability and Touch of Nature.
He noted that people tend to view the concept of sustainability through the lens of their experiences and personal knowledge.
“We want to expand their views,” he said. “We see a lot of potential here. At SIU, our sustainability efforts have traditionally lived within Student Affairs, which means our focus has always been rooted in engagement, education and outreach. By bringing sustainability under the Touch of Nature umbrella, we have an incredible opportunity to expand that mission. Touch of Nature’s campus and community programs, workshops and camps already serve as powerful leaning laboratories. Aligning these efforts allows us not only to complement our existing sustainability initiatives, but to grow them in meaningful ways. We are committed to approaching sustainability holistically, from environmental stewardship to the human and social factors that strengthen our communities. Together, we will build a more sustainable future for SIU and Southern Illinois.
A shared presence
The sustainability office will remain open on the south end of the Student Center’s second floor and continue to serve as the hub for campus sustainability initiatives and headquarters for the Green Fund Committee. It will also become a satellite office of Touch of Nature, providing an easily accessible way for students and the SIU community to engage with the center.
SIU’s long history of sustainability includes being the first school in Illinois to sign the Talloires Declaration in 1999 and the Second Nature Climate Commitment. The university has many accolades, including Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating (STARS) recognition from the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Touch of Nature likewise has a rich history, dating to 1950 when the SIU Board of Trustees approved plans for an outdoor education center and purchased 150 acres adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest. Touch of Nature earned the National Environmental Education Landmark from the National Park Service in 1972, the first entity of its kind and one of just 11 sites nationwide at the time to earn this recognition.
Planning ahead
“We want to lean into SIU’s strengths,” Croft said. “It is one of the most beautiful university campuses in the country, and this gives us such a wonderful opportunity to highlight what makes our campus special. We are literally immersed in Southern Illinois beauty, and our goal is to identify the functions of sustainability and TON that best serve our mission, our students and the community at large.”
He noted that the merged office will continue its strong partnership with the SIU Sustainability Council. The council, comprised of students, faculty and staff, manages the Green Fund, which has awarded about $2.454 million in grants to about 235 diverse campus sustainability projects since established in 2009 as the result of a student-led initiative.
“We envision being able to provide more experiential learning for students and more programs for the community. I see a future where students can perhaps get hands-on learning and even academic credit for getting involved, and with their help, we could expand sustainability and Touch of Nature programming. But we want to start by finding out what students, SIU and the community want and then create plans to make that happen.”
Toward that end, Croft wants to hear from interested parties and learn about their visions and dreams. He welcomes suggestions via email at bcroft@siu.edu.