NSS
3rd Annual
Conference
Attend the Conference
Registration opens April 16th
Our theme for 2026:
Courage, Credibility,
and Collective Action
in Sustainability
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. University-based centers and institutes are not eligible.
Professional: All other participants, regardless of sector.
Early Registration: Registration before April 22nd
Late Registration (for participants who are not session speakers): Registration after June 8th
** Presenter Registration Deadline: June 8th
Workshops: To be announced in April. Open until filled.
Hardship Fund: The NSS has a small fund for participants facing financial constraints that support attendees facing limited institutional funding or personal financial hurdles. Priority for registrants from LMICs and students. The application will open April 7th
Looking for session sponsorship opportunities? Find them here and email us at info@thenss.org with your ideas!
Registration Rates
Registration | Current Member Rate | Rate + Annual Membership |
|---|---|---|
Student | $150 | $175 |
Student, Early (before June 8) | $99 | $125 |
Student volunteer (limited spots) | $0 | $0 |
Professional | $450 | $550 |
Professional - Early (before April 22) | $400 | $500 |
Professional - Late (after June 8, non presenters only) | $500 | $600 |
Community-based NGO | $300 | $400 |
Optional Add-on: Workshops | $60.00 (each) | $60.00 (each) |
Optional Add-on: Fieldtrips | TBD | TBD |
Optional Add-on: Guest Reception ticket | $40.00 | $40.00 |
Field Trips (Monday, August 17th)
Denver Botanic Gardens - Chatfield Farms, managed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is a 700-acre native plant refuge and working farm located along the banks of Deer Creek in southern Jefferson County. During your visit you'll attend a guided tour through the site, and then have some free time to explore. Guidelines: It will be hot, so bring a water bottle, hat, and sunglasses. The Farm recommends wearing light weight pants to protect your legs from prickly plants and biting insects. Travel time: 40 min each way Pickup: 8:30 am Tour the agrovoltaics farm, etc.: 9:15-10:15 Bus ride back to the welcome center & free time: 10:15-11:30 Bus ride back to hotels: 11:30-12:15 Cost: TBD
The city of Boulder’s open space system is widely recognized as the largest per capita municipal open space system in the United States. This field trip, led by landscape ecologist Dr. Susan Collinge, will include a relatively flat hike on one of the 155 miles of trails near Boulder. We’ll discuss the history of open space acquisition, the management demands of conservation, recreation, and agriculture, and sustainable visitation by 6.2 million visitors per year. Guidelines: It will be hot, so bring a water bottle, snacks, a hat, and sunglasses. Travel time: 30 min each way Hike time: 120 min *Bus will return to the hotel area first. Cost: TBD
Several campus tours will be offered (Free)
Workshops
Workshops are facilitated by YOU, the participants! Submit your proposal here: https://www.thenss.org/2026callforcontributions
Professional Development Courses
August 15-16th This two-day, in-person institute will introduce faculty and teaching staff to an experiential learning approach to incorporate social action campaigns into either a semester-long course or co-curricular workshop series. *Apply first! Register second. August 15 9;00 - 4:00 August 16 9:00 - 3:30 Cost: $40 with conference registration $100 without conference registration
Conference Agenda
The detailed conference agenda is available here
Registered participants should download the Whova app for the full conference program information and engagement experience.
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.