2025 Conference Registration
Opens June 1, 2025
Our theme for 2025:
Transformative change for a just and sustainable future
Registration opens June 1!
- If you are current NSS member or attended last year's conference, you will receive a member discount code by email. Select the Current Member button to register >
- If you are not a current NSS member, a 12-month membership is included in your conference registration. Select the Non-member button to register >
Registration Categories
Student: Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student. The same rate is available throughout the registration period.
Community-based nonprofit organization: Must hold primary employment at a 501c3 registered community-based organization with a sustainability mission and limited resources for conference attendance
Professional: All other participants, regardless of sector.
Early Registration: Registration before June 10th, midnight PST
Late Registration (for participants who are not session speakers): Registration after July 31, midnight PST
** Presenter Registration Deadline: July 31, midnight PST **
Carbon offset costs: NSS will pay $12.50 per attendee to a verified and reputable carbon offsetting project. The selection of the project will be discussed collectively with NSS conference participants at a panel discussion session during the conference. Individual registrants have the option of paying $12.50 at registration to contribute to the fund. Please see the Conference Sustainability Policy for more details.
Workshops: A list of workshops can be found here.
Registration Rates
Registration | Current Member Rate | Rate + Annual Membership |
|---|---|---|
Student | $138.50 | $162.50 |
> Student - Early (before June 10) | $112.50 | $138.50 |
Professional | $412.50 | $512.50 |
> Professional - Early (before June 10) | $362.50 | $462.50 |
> Professional - Late (after July 30) | $482.50 | $582.50 |
Community-based NGO | $362.50 | $412.50 |
> Community-based NGO- Early (before June 10) | $312.50 | $362.50 |
> Community-based NGO- Late (after July 30) | $412.50 | $462.50 |
Optional Add-on: Workshops | $60.00 (each) | $60.00 (each) |
Optional Add-on: Fieldtrip, by bus | $10.00 (each) | $10.00 (each) |
Optional Add-on: Walking fieldtrip | Free | Free |
Optional Add-on: Guest Reception ticket | $40.00 | $40.00 |
Conference Program
The detailed conference agenda will be available in mid-August. This is the general program:
Monday October 20th:
Workshops and field trips 8am - 4pm (see below)
Welcome Reception, plenary event 4pm onward
*Possibly some parallel sessions
Tuesday October 21st:
Parallel sessions 8:30 - 5:30
Plenary events TBD
Wednesday October 22nd:
Parallel sessions 8:30 - 5:30
Plenary events TBD
Workshops
There are 12 skill or tool-based workshops to choose from on Monday, October 20th. Each workshop is $60.00.
You can choose 1 workshop from each session
- Session A 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Session B 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Session C 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
A list of workshops can be found here. Please note these are tentative. The schedule will be finalized by June 1.
Field Trips
Sign up for these opportunities on the main registration portal.
Meet-up spots for each excursion will be announced.
Rain or Shine! Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for walking and the weather.
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM (2 hrs.)
$10.00 Includes 20 min RT bus & facility tour. Capacity: 30
Get an intimate look at how Notre Dame sources its greens for Campus Dining. Nestled right here in South Bend, Pure Green Farms is an indoor hydroponic farm that grows crisp, leafy greens without pesticides and is never touched by a human hand. A Pure Greens grower will provide a tour of the facility and discuss how their operations are shaping the future of sustainable farming practices.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM (2 hrs.)
$10.00 Includes 20 min RT bus, easy hiking options. Capacity: 30
This is your chance to discover Indiana’s Continental Divide. Here you can walk the trails, visit the buffalo and check out Indiana’s native flora and fauna. We recommend exploring the Lydick Bog trail, which offers a glimpse into a world untouched by time, characterized by its ancient bogs and moss-covered landscapes. The Lydick Bog is a model of environmental preservation. Here you can find rare carnivorous plants and other flora not found anywhere else!
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (2 hrs.)
$10.00 Includes 20 min RT bus, easy hiking options. Capacity: 30
“A remnant of the land that once was, a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and a haven for renewal of the human spirit.” Rum Village natural area and nature center includes 160 acres of rolling woodlands that are home to deer, foxes, reptiles, amphibians, and numerous species of birds. Three miles of trails wind through this habitat. Many native trees and a wide selection of flowering and herbaceous plants may be found here. Join Naturalist Garry Harrington for a hands-on tour of local fauna and flora, and set off on an enjoyable woods walk.
Campus Green Tour
Various times to be announced (1 hr.)
Free campus walking tour. Capacity: 25
Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and clothes for walking. Unable to attend the tour in person? Experience it virtually.
Notre Dame Power Plant
Various times to be announced (1 hr.)
Free campus walking tour. Capacity: 15
The Notre Dame Power Plant and associated utilities infrastructure includes steam, heating hot water, chilled water, electricity, potable water, domestic hot water, storm and sanitary sewers that service a campus of nearly 12M gross square feet. The plant produces over 60% of the campus electrical energy along with 100% of the other listed services. Take a guided tour of the plant and learn more about this important energy source for the university and South Bend.