About

Our Mission

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Williams College is a STARS Gold rated institution. Click the icon above to access our full STARS report.

The Zilkha Center for the Environment’s mission is to catalyze and support inquiry and action toward a sustainable future at Williams and beyond by preparing the next generation of environmental stewards. 

Our Approach:

  • We provide internships, research and extracurricular learning opportunities for students to foster their understanding of humanity’s role within complex environmental systems.
  • We work with students, faculty, staff, alumni and peer institutions to integrate sustainability in college operations, implement solutions and share our expertise with others.
  • We facilitate research and education in Hopkins Memorial Forest, while preserving and monitoring forest resources.
  • We are a resource for and collaborate with environmental organizations and advocates in the Berkshire region and beyond to address environmental problems, including the climate crisis, toxic pollution and legacies of environmental injustice.
  • We share a commitment to lifelong learning, community outreach and empowerment.
  • We center collaborative problem-solving, prioritize hands-on experiences, and emphasize the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion, values that are foundational to promoting a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally just society.