What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is defined as “the human ability to ensure that the current development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

~ The Brundtland Report and Sustainable Development [1987]

Sustainability affects everything!

• Economy
• Environment
• Equity
• Politics
• Human Rights
• Education

Who We Are

The current SAVE team is comprised of people from various backgrounds, interests, and skill sets. We are a group of people who are passionate about the environment and want to facilitate a sustainable and green movement at LSU Vet Med!

Adding new members to the SAVE team will ensure a greater diversity of ideas and perspectives!

Our Goals

As veterinarians, our role in conservation and sustainability is particularly essential in that we serve as the bridge between human and animal species, as well as the voice for all animals’ rights and welfare. One of the tenets of our oath is that we swear to use our knowledge for the benefit of society through conservation of animal resources. To that end, we seek to accomplish the following:

1. Increase student participation at LSU Vet Med
2. Provide opportunities to practice sustainable activities
3. Incorporate community involvement
4. Reduce LSU Vet Med's carbon footprint
5. Bridge connections between animal health, human health, and environmental health

We plan to accomplish these goals through the utilization of working groups.

1. Honey Bees: Working with Southern Italian Honey Bees near the LSU Vet Med campus to incorporate bee husbandry, medicine, and care into the curriculum
2. Recycling: Collecting various forms of plastics and having appropriate locations for making
3. Recycling/reusing more accessible for LSU Vet Med (not limited to just plastic but also includes all aspects of reduce, reuse, recycle (e.g., thrifting, paper, etc.).
4. Food Waste: Reducing food waste at LSU Vet Med by utilizing a composting program with Fluker Farms and by collaborating with 3 Little Pigs, LSU Vet Med's dining hall
5. Outreach and Advocacy: Working with SAVE in efforts to involve the community in educating about sustainability through social media, lectures, and events

Sustainable Development Goals

UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

One Health and Veterinary Curriculum

The changing nature of our climate and the impact it has on our environment and animals is a growing area of concern for veterinarians and those interested in One Health. How will our current and future veterinary professionals deal with a changing environment and all the challenges that present themselves as a result? In higher education settings, case studies have emerged that address the impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of a wide array of animals. Statements of purpose and policy addressing climate change have been passed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Columbia School of Public Health's Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) and changes in veterinary curricula in higher education have been proposed. The veterinary profession is poised to meet these sustainability challenges head on. 

There are many resources on this topic:

• Boyd, S., Rhind, S., Batiste, S. (April 2020). Making SPACES for sustainability in the veterinary medicine curriculum. The University of Edinburgh's Teaching Matters blog. 
• Kiran, D., Sander, W. E., & Duncan, C. (March 2022). Empowering Veterinarians to Be Planetary Health Stewards Through Policy and Practice. Frontiers in veterinary science, 9, 775411.
• Pappaioanou, M., & Kane, T. R. (Nov 2023). Addressing the urgent health challenges of climate change and ecosystem degradation from a One Health perspective: what can veterinarians contribute? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 261(1), 49-55. Retrieved Oct 2, 2023.
• Vaughan, D. (Oct 2022). Veterinarians on the forefront of climate change impact. Veterinary Practice News, Vol 34.

Dean's Approval and Support

Dean Garden shows full support of the S.A.V.E. committee and will oversee all activity.

Dean Garden recently joined a national task force on climate change. The dean's commitment and support of the SAVE mission will help ensure that the sustainability goals of our committee and of the School of Veterinary Medicine are aligned.

Activities Timeline

Contact Us

CONTACT SAVE

Important Websites

Honey Bee ConsortiumCapital Area Beekeepers AssociationAVMA Honeybees and VeterinariansGuide for Veterinarians and HoneYbeesAVMA Veterinary Feed Directive BasicsHoneybee CE Credit with Dr. Christopher CrippsUSDA-Accredited Veterinarians Honeybee ModulesFederal Rule: FDA Guidelines 152 Appendix AFederal Definition for a VCPR and VFDVCPR Requirements by StateVFD at 21 CFR § 558.6Veterinary Feed DirectivesVFD RegulationsHoneybee VaccineHoneybee Medicine is Catching OnTelehealth and the VCPR

Honey Bees: A Guide for Veterinarians

Honey Bees: A Guide for Veterinarians

Main Bee Diseases

Main Bee Disease