Our environmental initiatives reach beyond the purely ecological into
social and economic realms. Every project we undertake considers our
place in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut and our commitment to a
public purpose. Whether sourcing biomass from our bioregion, connecting
with local farmers to purchase food for our dining hall and learn their
techniques for our own farm, or actively working to clean the lakes and
streams we share with the local community, we focus on sustainability in
the broadest sense of the word.
The Biomass Facility
The facility was built with a public purpose in mind. Many local and regional groups have visited in recent months, from fifth graders at Salisbury Central School to prospective families who gathered at the plant for a reception.
Read more.
The Salisbury Forum
By hosting events and providing expert speakers, Hotchkiss plays a role in Salisbury Forum activities. See the Salisbury Forum website for some of the recent contributions the School has made to this regional, national, and global forum of ideas.
Lake Keeper Program
Since 1969 when biology teacher Ted Davis began testing lake water, Hotchkiss has assisted in analyzing the health of Lake Wononscopomuc. The School provides use of its 20-foot Boston Whaler and many of the instruments needed to obtain the data on the lake's health. Today, teachers and students continue to participate in the Lake Keeper program, which is funded, in equal parts, by the Lake Wononscopomuc Association, The Hotchkiss School and the Town of Salisbury. Read more about the Lake Wononscopomuc Association.
Public Access to our Trails
Hotchkiss welcomes visitors to use the trails on our 827-acre campus. The Fairfield Farm Ecosystem and Adventure Team (FFEAT) built and maintains the trail system.
View the map here.
The Summer Internship Program at Fairfield Farm
Each summer, current students and alumni return to campus to work at Fairfield Farm -- planting, weeding, tending chickens, and myriad other tasks. Read about the experiences of Kurt '08 and Maren '14, who spent summers on the farm. Kurt, now the farm manager, guides the work of our current interns.
Food Donations from the Farm
Just prior to long holidays, the Dining Hall donates food to Owl's Kitchen, the local area food bank. In December 2011,
about 200 pounds of food -- primarily fresh produce -- was given to the food bank.
ISEEN
Hotchkiss hosted the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN) annual institute in January 2012, welcoming more than 80 participants to Lakeville. Read about the organization. In June 2013, Hotchkiss will host the NAIS Summit on Environmental Sustainability in Independent Schools.