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School of Environmental Sustainability
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Student Organizations

Loyola University Chicago is home to several student organizations dedicated to sustainability and the environment. Many School of Environmental Sustainability students are active members and leaders of these organizations, and students from other programs—both undergraduate and graduate—are also welcome to get involved. Learn about sustainability-focused groups below, or find more student organizations on the LUC Community website.  

Food Recovery Network

Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a national, student-led organization that tackles food waste on and off campus. Members of the Loyola chapter recover extra food from numerous partners, including campus dining halls and cafes, as well as Chicago farmers' markets. Students donate the food they collect to local food pantries, including the group’s primary partner, A Just Harvest. Students also have opportunities to volunteer directly with the food pantry, often serving the food the group recovered and donated directly to pantry clients. Food Recovery Network has volunteer shifts throughout the week and year-round, including during the summer. All enrolled Loyola students are welcome to join the group.

Learn more and get involved:

Net Impact

Through more than 400 chapters worldwide, Net Impact inspires and equips emerging leaders to build a more just and sustainable world. At Loyola, the group’s goal is to build a bridge between the School of Environmental Sustainability and the Quinlan School of Business, allowing students to explore the intersection of business and sustainability in real-world ways. Net Impact typically organizes three to four events per semester to provide students with opportunities to practice networking and other professional development skills. Many events feature speaker panels with sustainability professionals and provide access to the group’s alumni network. Net Impact events are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Learn more and get involved:

Restoration Club

Restoration Club hosts restoration workdays at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC) in Woodstock, Illinois. LUREC originally contained a wetland variety known as a calcareous fen and an oak-hickory savannah, but invasive plants and altered hydrology have degraded these ecosystems. Restoration Club members remove invasive species, plant natives, and occasionally perform prescribed burns to help restore the nearly 100-acre property. Workdays take place every two weeks during the semester. Transportation and lunch are provided for those who sign up the week before. The group sends out the signup form and a waitlist through GroupMe and an email list. Additionally, Restoration Club holds events on the Lake Shore Campus every two weeks where participants learn about restoration ecology, enjoy sustainable arts and crafts, and play fun games. The club welcomes undergraduates and graduates from any major. 

Learn more and get involved:

Student Environmental Alliance 

The Student Environmental Alliance (SEA) was founded in 1987. Since then, the group has been a leading force for sustainable change on Loyola’s campus. Their student-driven campaigns resulted in the adoption of the 2015 Climate Action Plan and the 2021 Sustainable Investment Policy. Members are working to shape the future of environmental action on campus, joining Campus Climate Network as a member organization in 2026. Further, SEA has announced Leaflet, a student-led sustainability publication dedicated to harnessing student perspectives to address the ecological crisis. SEA activities are planned primarily for Loyola undergraduate students, but they are open to the University community, including graduate students. 

Learn more and get involved:

Food Recovery Network

Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a national, student-led organization that tackles food waste on and off campus. Members of the Loyola chapter recover extra food from numerous partners, including campus dining halls and cafes, as well as Chicago farmers' markets. Students donate the food they collect to local food pantries, including the group’s primary partner, A Just Harvest. Students also have opportunities to volunteer directly with the food pantry, often serving the food the group recovered and donated directly to pantry clients. Food Recovery Network has volunteer shifts throughout the week and year-round, including during the summer. All enrolled Loyola students are welcome to join the group.

Learn more and get involved:

Net Impact

Through more than 400 chapters worldwide, Net Impact inspires and equips emerging leaders to build a more just and sustainable world. At Loyola, the group’s goal is to build a bridge between the School of Environmental Sustainability and the Quinlan School of Business, allowing students to explore the intersection of business and sustainability in real-world ways. Net Impact typically organizes three to four events per semester to provide students with opportunities to practice networking and other professional development skills. Many events feature speaker panels with sustainability professionals and provide access to the group’s alumni network. Net Impact events are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Learn more and get involved:

Restoration Club

Restoration Club hosts restoration workdays at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC) in Woodstock, Illinois. LUREC originally contained a wetland variety known as a calcareous fen and an oak-hickory savannah, but invasive plants and altered hydrology have degraded these ecosystems. Restoration Club members remove invasive species, plant natives, and occasionally perform prescribed burns to help restore the nearly 100-acre property. Workdays take place every two weeks during the semester. Transportation and lunch are provided for those who sign up the week before. The group sends out the signup form and a waitlist through GroupMe and an email list. Additionally, Restoration Club holds events on the Lake Shore Campus every two weeks where participants learn about restoration ecology, enjoy sustainable arts and crafts, and play fun games. The club welcomes undergraduates and graduates from any major. 

Learn more and get involved:

Student Environmental Alliance 

The Student Environmental Alliance (SEA) was founded in 1987. Since then, the group has been a leading force for sustainable change on Loyola’s campus. Their student-driven campaigns resulted in the adoption of the 2015 Climate Action Plan and the 2021 Sustainable Investment Policy. Members are working to shape the future of environmental action on campus, joining Campus Climate Network as a member organization in 2026. Further, SEA has announced Leaflet, a student-led sustainability publication dedicated to harnessing student perspectives to address the ecological crisis. SEA activities are planned primarily for Loyola undergraduate students, but they are open to the University community, including graduate students. 

Learn more and get involved: