UMass Amherst has a commitment to sustainability and emphasizes green transportation, renewable power generation and resource use, and support for local economies.
Sustainability
With the leadership of the Chancellor’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, and through research/academics, buildings, food systems, energy, and water usage, UMass Amherst prides itself on its sustainability practices.
UMass Dining, an national award-winning dining service, is committed to the Real Food Challenge, which requires 20% of university food purchases to be “real food” – locally sourced, fair, ecologically sound and human food sources.
In addition to a robust network of local CSAs, the UMass farm sources food for an on-campus student farmers market.
UMass reclaimed water programs use reclaimed water in irrigation, heating, and cooling systems.
In 2017, UMass installed 15,000+ solar panels in an expansion of significant extant solar energy generation on campus.
UMass Amherst as a growing number of green buildings, including those certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Green Transportation
A network of rails-to-trails offers paved bike trails connecting UMass, Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Belchertown, Easthampton, Florence, and Leeds.
A campus bike share program provides free bicycles to students, faculty, and staff for 24-hour loans.
UMass Alternative Transportation provides for convenient, accessible, and green commuting choices.
UMass offers electric vehicle charging stations on campus parking lots.
Mass Transit
Area Buses: Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority (PVTA) operates a network of local buses and special transit between the five colleges and surrounding communities.
Trains: Amtrak runs trains from Northampton and Springfield, to Boston, New York, and beyond.
Regional Bus: Peter Pan offers long distance buses throughout New England and beyond.
Airports: Bradley International Airport is 45 miles from UMass, with nonstop flights to major US cities, and international destinations including Dublin, Edinburgh, Cancun, Montreal, San Juan, and Toronto.
Boston Logan International Airport is 95 miles from UMass, with frequent flights to many national and international destinations.
