Rice University has over 300 undergraduate clubs & organizations, with many being focused on environmental issues or sustainability. Below you will find a list of active Environmental based clubs & organizations. Check Owlnest for most up to date information. Many students get connected to the many environmental organizations by joining or attending Rice Sustainability Coalition meetings, as it is the coalition that unifies Rice Environmental Organizations.
Rice Sustainability Coalition -
RSC is an organization formed with the intent of unifying Rice environmental organizations. Each individual org will still operate independently, but membership with RSC will allow orgs to communicate with one another, collaborate on events, or simply learn about campus initiatives.
We’re THE water club at Rice. Affiliated with Isla Urvana, a nonprofit that addresses water scarcity by harvesting rainwater.
Rice Animal Ethics Society exists to promote and facilitate the study of animal ethics at Rice University. Our organization seeks to bring together those interested in animal ethics across disciplines.
The Rice New Energy Fund (RNEF) is the world's first student-managed investment fund focused on the energy transition. RNEF was launched in August 2021 to give students a platform to partake in active investment management while engaging with the complexities of the energy transition. This novel student initiative complements Rice’s introduction of the business major for undergrads. Given the inflection point in finance talent at Rice and the energy transition in Houston, RNEF strives to nurture the next generation of climate investors.
The mission of Rice Student Birding Club is to foster a community of students who share a passion for birds and nature. We aim to promote and provide opportunities for birdwatching, education, conservation, and research among our members and the public.
Rice Undergraduate Biosciences Society -
We are a group of students passionate about anything related to the life sciences (including but not limited to: biochemistry, bioengineering, ecology, earth science, biophysics, chemistry, neuroscience, synthetic biology, medicine, etc). Our goal is to bring together curious scientists at any stage of their journey, from Rice undergraduates (regardless of major), faculty members, graduate schools, Rice alumni, and researchers from Texas Medical Center to engage in events and activities centered around a shared interest in the natural sciences that will broaden our perspectives and further the knowledge of our community.
Rice Undergraduate Geoscience Society -
The mission of this organization is to enrich the experience of undergraduate students at Rice University studying the Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (EEPS). We believe that by providing a structured organization for engagement with Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences and those interested in the field we can strengthen the EEPS undergraduate community.
Rice University Geophysical Society -
Established in 2023, the Rice University SEG chapter enables students to participate in various SEG student programs, provides scholarship opportunities, and access to the latest seminars and research from the SEG digital library and TLE’s, and engages a global network of society industry professionals.
We, Rice Urban Agriculture, aim to foster an environment for people to learn how to garden through hands on experience. Rice Urban Agriculture members will learn how to market and manage produce, develop skills to live a healthy lifestyle, and interact with and support the greater Houston community. The purpose of this organization is to teach Rice students about sustainable agriculture and healthy cooking, to provide the Rice Housing and Dining with convenient organic produce, and to make partnerships with various other student-run organizations in order to promote healthy and environmentally sound food on campus.
Vegan or interested in the benefits of eating and buying plant-based? We are an organization dedicated to bringing together the vegan community at Rice and anyone who is interested or wanting to learn more!
Rice Wildlife Conservation Corps -
Rice Wildlife Conservation Corps spreads awareness of endangered/threatened species and works to help support local and global animal conservation programs. Club members would have the opportunity to learn more about the animal species around them and understand their place in our ecosystems. In addition, through events, fundraisers, field trips, and guest appearances; members would have the opportunity to learn about how to promote the sustainability and preservation of animal species on the brink of extinction.
Want to design and build a performant wind turbine and immerse yourselves in real-world engineering challenges? Want to organize a wind farm and learn how to make this crucial cleaner form of energy viable? Want to strengthen your communication skills and let the local and global community know about the importance of shifting our energy sources to something cleaner? We’ve got all that in addition to a tight-knit and welcoming team culture. And at the end of each year, we travel to the Collegiate Wind Competition to showcase our work!
We believe everyone should have access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy. We’re building a movement to make that happen. We’re organizing thousands of young people to win a Green New Deal that will: stop the climate crisis, create good union jobs for all, invest in racial and economic justice, and reimagine our government to be by and for the people.
Global Brigades is the largest, student-led, nonprofit global health and sustainable development organization in the world. Students help to empower communities in developing countries with sustainable solutions that improve quality of life/environment while respecting local culture. The national organization has 30,000+ volunteers from 800+ university clubs provided health development solutions to 600,000+ beneficiaries.
Is your organization missing? Reach out to the Environmental program coordinator, Ari Johnson (rj33@rice.edu).