Sustainability, Environmental, and Climate Resources
A targeted guide to state and federal agencies and programs serving farms, natural spaces, and urban and rural community resources.
N.C. A&T College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
Feeding a hungry planet and protecting the environment, we all share important daily challenges. At the North Carolina A&T College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), you can help meet those challenges. With cutting-edge technology and educational programs for students and North Carolina communities, we engage in practical research that enriches the lives, the land, and the economy of our state and nation and helps to meet the food challenges of a hungry planet.
Center for Environmental Farming Systems
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS is one of the nation’s most important centers for research, extension, and education in sustainable agriculture and community-based food systems. It is recognized as a national and international leader in the local foods movement and celebrated for its work in building consensus around policies, programs, and actions that facilitate a vibrant local food economy.
Center for Regeneration
The Center for Regeneration (“the Center”) is a project of Open Future Coalition (“OFC”), fiscal and philanthropic sponsors, impact investors, and participating people, groups, and projects (“Members”) developing infrastructures for personal, social, ecological, and environmental regeneration. The Center provides members with access to shared infrastructure, in-kind resources, project support and development and access to public and philanthropic sponsors, Local Impact Capital, and impact reporting and validation tools.
N.C. Division of Soil & Water Conservation
The Division of Soil and Water Conservation, housed within the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, works in cooperation with the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the 96 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to protect and improve soil and water resources throughout the state.
USDA Natural resource & Conservation Service
NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. NRCS provides funding opportunities for agricultural producers and other landowners through these programs.
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for protecting North Carolina's environmental resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health and also works to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina’s needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior concerning the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system.
N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees the state’s resources for the arts, history, libraries, and nature. We are home to the state’s 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums, Jennette's Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office, Office of State Archaeology, the African American Heritage Commission, and the Office of Land and Water Stewardship.
USDA Green Energy Programs
USDA programs offer funding to complete energy audits, provide renewable energy development assistance, make energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems. We have programs that help convert older heating sources to cleaner technologies, produce advanced biofuels, install solar panels, build biorefineries, and much more. USDA Rural Development is at the forefront of renewable energy financing, with options including grants, guaranteed loans and payments.
US Climate Resilience Toolkit
The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit is a website designed to help people find and use tools, information, and subject matter expertise to build climate resilience. The Toolkit offers information from across the U.S. federal government in one easy-to-use location. The goal is to improve people’s ability to understand and manage their climate-related risks and opportunities and to help them make their communities and businesses more resilient to extreme events. The site is managed by NOAA’s Climate Program Office and is hosted by NOAA’s Web Operation Center.
Environmental Protection Agency - Sustainability
Sustainability is a priority interest for many organizations, and this is especially true at EPA. Sustainability isn’t part of our work – it’s a guiding influence for all of our work. Learn more about what EPA is doing and what you can do.
US Forest Service - Sustainability & Climate
The Forest Service stewards many of our nation’s most treasured landscapes. Within those landscapes are resources that people need and want, such as clean air and water, recreational opportunities and forest products. Impacts from climate change, extreme weather, and other disturbances—along with changing human demands—challenge our ability to ensure that ecosystems are healthy, resilient, and more adaptable to changing conditions. The Forest Service is using the best available science to adjust behaviors and actions to ensure our forests and grasslands continue to deliver values, products, and services both now and in the future.
US Department of Interior
Since 1849, the Department of the Interior has been charged with important management and stewardship responsibilities. Despite the passage of time, the Department’s core missions remain intact: to protect and manage the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provide scientific and other information about those resources; and honor its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated island communities. The Department’s Strategic Plan for fiscal year 2022-2026 integrates equity, justice, climate, and environmental management into the breadth of activities in which the Department engages.