Sustainability
Internet Links
Agriculture
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
United States Department of Agriculture library specializing in sustainable, organic, low-input, biodynamic, and regenerative methods of agriculture.
American Farmland Trust
Permanently protects American farmland by uniting farmers, environmentalists, and policymakers.
Community Supported Agriculture
Offers an explicit definition of a CSA, with informative links.
Local Harvest
Find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
National alliance of farm, rural development, and conservation groups that organized in 1988 to affect federal agriculture policy. NSAC member groups advance common positions to support small and mid-size family farms, protect natural resources, promote healthy rural communities, and provide nutritious and healthy food to consumers.
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (also known as ATTRA)
Updated news regarding sustainable agriculture and organic farming, events, and funding opportunities. Features in-depth publications on production practices, alternative crop and livestock enterprises, innovative marketing, organic certification, and highlights of local, regional, and federal activities.
Rodale Institute
Focuses on soil health, food quality, regenerative agriculture education, composting and regional, national and international community development.
Associations/Alliances
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
UMass Amherst is a member of AASHE, an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Provides resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Aims to accelerate the deployment and use of renewable energy, green buildings, and energy efficiency. Produces major events that inspire and motivate large numbers of people to get involved and make a difference. Links organized by energy, buildings, transportion.
Rocky Mountain Institute
Entrepreneurial non profit organization fostering the efficient and restorative use of resources to make the world secure, just, prosperous, and life-sustaining. They collaborate with business, civil society, and governments to design integrative solutions that create true wealth.
Trust for Public Land
National, non profit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come.
Union
Independent non profit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists. Their mission is to augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.
Plans, tools and information to do renewable energy and conservation projects. Hundreds of projects -- from changing a light bulb to building a solar home. Design information and tools for building renewable energy projects. An Experimental section for backyard inventors. Nothing For Sale here -- just free ideas, plans, and information.
Development Center for Appropriate Technology
Non profit that works to enhance the health of the planet and our communities by promoting a shift to sustainable construction and development through leadership, strategic relationships, and education.
Ecological Building Network
Non profit, international association of builders, engineers, architects, academics, and developers committed to promoting intelligent building methods and materials for a sustainable future. Includes access to articles, papers, conference proceedings, and related events.
Energy and Environmental Issues in the Building Sector
Links to Green Building Policies Network, a database for Sustainable Building Information System, and a tool for assessing and reducing energy-related impact of buildings on interior, local and global environments.
GreenSpec
Directory of more than 1,800 environmentally preferable building products with descriptions, manufacturer information, and links to resources.
Humane Metropolis
A collaboration of the Ecological Cities Project and The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The "Humane Metropolis" means urban communities at all scales - metro areas, cities, suburbs, neighborhoods, or blocks.
Sustainable Sites Initiative
Promotes sustainable land development and management practices that apply to sites with and without buildings.
U.S. Green Building Council
Credit Unions
Online directory of credit unions in the U.S. These are non profit, cooperative financial institutions which are owned and controlled by its members. They often pay higher interest rates and charge lower interest on loans.
E.F. Schumacher Society
Educational non profit organization demonstrating that social and environmental sustainability can be achieved by applying the values of human-scale communities and respect for the natural environment to economic issues. Links to events, local currencies, and land trusts.
Holistic Management International
Non profit seeking to restore deteriorating landscapes and the lives of the people dependent on them using practical, low-cost solutions.
Independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being. Aims to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues.
Permaculture Credit Union
Pools the financial resources of people who believe in the ethics of Permaculture - care of the earth, care of people, and reinvestment of surplus for the betterment of both. They then apply those resources to earth-friendly and socially responsible loans and investments.
Building Better Rural Places
Federal programs for sustainable agriculture, forestry, entrepreneurship, conservation, and community.
Ecovillage Network of the Americas
Engages the peoples of the Americas in common effort to join the global transformation towards an ecologically, economically, and culturally sustainable future.
Intentional Communities
Information for seekers of community, existing and forming communities, and other friends of community building.
Energy
Conducts in-depth technical and policy assessments, advises policymakers and program managers, works with businesses, public interest groups, and other organizations, organizes conferences and workshops, publishing books, conference proceedings, and reports, and educates consumers and businesses.
Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
Accelerates the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs by researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting highly active, on-line, renewable energy discussion groups.
Consumer Report: Greener Choices
Information on the environmental impact of various consumer products and tips on improving your own usage. Also includes information on recycling,labeling, and rebates for efficient products. Currently features a comparison of alternative fuels, and ways to save money on gas.
Massachusetts Techology Collaborative
The Commonwealth's development agency for renewable energy and the innovation economy, which is responsible for one-quarter of all jobs in the state. MTC administers the John Adams Innovation Institute and the Renewable Energy Trust.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Leader in the U.S. Department of Energy's effort to secure an energy future for the nation that is environmentally and economically sustainable.
Renewable Energy Tax Incentives
Summary of Commonwealth tax incentives designed to promote the development and use of renewable energy resources.
Government
Conservation Law Foundation
Non profit focused on water, forests, oceans, and issues of smart growth in New England.
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Describes the State Sustainability Program to help state agencies minimize their environmental impacts of operations and activities, and promote innovative sustainable practices in Massachusetts.
FedCenter
Current guidance, examples, and information resources to aid Federal facilities in developing and maintaining sustainable facilities and helping to develop and promote sustainable practices within their environmental programs or activities. Includes extensive links to related organizations, tools, and policies.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Examines sustainability and provides links to EPA programs and tools in four key areas: the Built or human-created Environment; Water, Ecosystems and Agriculture; Energy and the Environment; and Materials and Toxics. Links to the programs and tools are organized in three categories: Policies and Programs; Research, Tools and Technologies; and Assessments and Performance Measures.
Human Ecology
Heifer International
Building self reliant communities in developing countries by distributing resources fairly, improving access to education, and preserving the environment.
International Research Development Centre
Collaborates with researchers from the developing world to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.
UN Commission on Sustainable Development – Environment Program. A forum for sustainable development within the United Nations system. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit. Reviews progress on local, national, regional and international levels.
World Resources Institute
Environmental think tank providing objective information and practical proposals for policy and institutional change that will foster environmentally sound, socially equitable development.
Practical Skills/Training
Permaculture Activist
Offers a current listing of upcoming permaculture design courses and a networking directory linking students to teachers and information, homeowners to designers and consultants, and homeseekers to community.
Regenerative Design Institute
Non profit educational organization providing courses and workshops designed to effectively teach the skills necessary to live a more sustainable life on the planet. RDI has evolved out of the Permaculture Institute of Northern California (PINC) which continues to be a key project.
- Last Updated: Jun 4, 2025 11:02 AM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/sustainability
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