We look at three aspects of sustainability: economical, ecological, and social.

As the world becomes increasingly aware of environmental issues, businesses look for ways to make their operations more sustainable. Tom Hammett, professor of forest products marketing, teaches a business course in the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products on maintaining sustainability. The course examines what it means to be “green” or “sustainable” by focusing on decisions related to sustainability, developing green business strategies and action plans, and product certification, eco-labeling, and chain-of-custody programs.

Open to all majors, Sustainable Nature-Based Enterprises draws students from within the college as well as from other disciplines across campus and encourages them to focus on issues of resource sustainability. “We want to discuss what’s feasible and what’s practical,” Hammett said. “We look at three aspects of sustainability: economical, ecological, and social.”

Students get hands-on experience in the fields of business and sustainability by completing a service-learning project. “The students write a green business plan for a nonprofit, government, or private organization,” explained Hammett. “Last fall, we had groups of students who worked with a green building company, the Matthews State Forest, Virginia Tech Dining Services to help incorporate more local foods into the dining halls, and even a local bed and breakfast interested in working on its sustainability,” Hammett added. “These projects offer plenty of opportunities to not just learn these techniques but also to practice them.”

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