Eco Reps

Eco Reps are compensated part-time student leaders that implement sustainability programs at UT Dallas. Their mission is to make life at UT Dallas more sustainable by educating the campus about sustainability principles and managing programs that make being sustainable easier and more accessible.

Program History

An Eco Rep demonstrating proper transplanting at the UT Dallas Eco Hub.

The Eco Reps program at UT Dallas was launched in 2017. UT Dallas Eco Reps have historically assisted with operational sustainability projects, but now assist with both operational sustainability and sustainability engagement on campus. The first Eco Reps program was started at Tufts University in 2001. Similar programs have spread across the country and now take many forms. Some Eco Reps around the country are stationed in housing operations, some are volunteers. At UT Dallas, the term “Eco Rep” is used to refer to the paid student employees in the Office of Sustainability.

The Eco Rep Role

An Eco Rep introducing onlookers to the UTD honey bees.

Eco Reps contribute to a variety of initiatives on campus, including but not limited to:

• UTD Apiary and Pollinator Outreach
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Sustainability Stewardship
• Waste Efficiency