There’s lots to get excited about when it comes to being green in Kansas.
Kansas’ sustainability efforts are highlighted and celebrated annually by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). Over the last decade MARC has championed the success of 79 different initiates that now serve as models for sustainability in green building practices, sustainable agriculture and waste management.
MARC most recently celebrated the creation of the BVN Prairie at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, a unique native prairie ecosystem that serves to educate and inspire students about native landscapes and the Kansas ecosystem.
Another big name in sustainability to garner MARC’s attention is the Bridging the Gap initiative, which operates a number of programs throughout the greater Kansas City metro area, including the Heartland Tree Alliance, the Kansas City WildLands, and Milkweed for Monarchs. These aggressive green efforts have resulted in thousands of new trees and native plants throughout the metro area, which have helped to reduce urban flooding and restore remnant prairies on public lands.
Become part of Kansas’ sustainability efforts by advancing your education and skills and you’ll be able to take advantage of the abundant professional opportunities in this field while fulfilling your passion for the green movement.
Sustainability Jobs Available in Kansas with the Right Degree
You and the right degree will be right at home in Kansas, thanks to this state’s fantastic organizations and agencies that put environmental sustainability front and center.
For example, the preservation of natural resources and Kansas’ delicate ecosystem is on full display at the Baker Wetlands in Lawrence. More than six miles of walking trails and one of the most diverse habitats in northeastern Kansas make this site a model of sustainability.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a grassroots nonprofit that enlist and trains volunteers to help advance policies that address climate change. And Friends of the Kaw is a big name in preservation in Kansas, with members of this organization working to protect the Kansas River and advocate for the rehabilitation of its environment.
Just Food is committed to the citizens of Lawrence through a reliable supply of donated food to local good pantries. This group also educates citizens on hunger needs, both domestically and globally.
BLS statistics from 2018 show that sustainability jobs in Kansas pay some pretty sweet salaries. For example, the average salary for environmental engineers was $85,400, while civil engineers in the state earned $82,340 on average. Environmental scientists here earned slightly less, with an average salary of $76,730, as did urban planners at $67,370.
Master’s in Sustainability Available Through Schools in Kansas
Master’s degrees provide practicing and aspiring sustainability professionals with focused courses of study in specific areas of sustainability.
Agriculture
Kansas State University’s MS in Horticulture with an emphasis in Urban Food Systems provides an innovative, in-depth study of urban food systems and their effects on community building and economic development. Areas of study within this program include sustainable agriculture, project management, urban food production, and grant writing.
Architecture
Kansas State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning offers a number of unique graduate programs that allow students to dive deep into design and planning. Students here choose from exciting programs in landscape architecture, regional & community planning, and community development, all of which are offered at the new Seaton/Regnier Complex, a world-class facility that features state-of-the-art workspaces, studios, and fabrication facilities.
Sustainable Development
Kansas State University’s Global Campus offers the online MS in Community Development, which is part of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Appliance consortium, a multi-university partnership that brings together educators and researchers from several institutions.
Policy
The University of Kansas’ Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Assessment, available at the university’s Edwards campus, is an exciting course of graduate study that draws on the disciplines of communication, project management, and physical science to produce a program that aims to identify the environmental effects of any type of project or initiative.
Sustainability Bachelor Degree Programs in Kansas
If you’re new to the field of sustainability, Kansas has you covered, thanks to its nice selection of bachelor’s degrees in this field. Bachelor’s degrees in sustainability are the ideal foundation for entering the field or for graduate school preparation.
For example, Southwestern College in Winfield offers a minor in Sustainability & Environmental Studies, the University of Kansas offers a BS in Environmental Studies, and Pittsburg State University offers a Bachelor of Integrated Studies in Sustainability, Society, and Resource Management.