Southeastern Public Interest Environmental Law Conference
SPIEL
October 11-13, 2024
The University of the South at Sewanee is a private Episcopal liberal arts college in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is owned by 28 southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church.
Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
Sewanee is a college with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship . From its diverse curricular offerings in environmental study, to the beauty and biodiversity of the 12,000 acre on-campus Domain Forest, to its campus sustainability initiatives, a spirit of conservation is found throughout the University. Furthermore, as a school founded and supported by the Episcopal Church, this spirit goes beyond the school itself. In recent years, the church has formalized a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability in the Creation Care ministry program.
The Domain: Sewanee's Forest
The Sewanee Domain is located at the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau which extends down through Kentucky into Tennessee and Alabama. It is the westernmost portion of the Southern Appalachian region. The biologically rich hardwood forests of the Cumberland Plateau are considered to be among the highest conservation-value forests remaining in North America today. The 12,000 acre forest includes remnant old growth oak-hickory communities and is popular with students and the public. The Domain is used by the school’s Biology and Environmental Studies departments to conduct “outdoor classroom” and field studies.
Cross Creek Forest Dynamics Research Area/Franklin State Forest
The Cross Creek Forest Dynamics Research Area in the Franklin State Forest is right down the road from campus. As one of the oldest continuous forest dynamics study areas in the country, Cross Creek is curated by Biology Professor and SPIEL cofounder Jon Evans. For half a century, every tree and shrub in the study area has been measured and analyzed each decade, providing a rich dataset for scientists stuying long-term forest dynamics. Dr. Evans has multiple research projects ongoing with both the Sewanee Herbarium and researchers at Tennessee State ranging in topics from clonal plant networks to mychorroizal fungi networks. Click here to check out a brief video series about the work at Cross Creek.
Accommodations in the Sewanee Area
Sewanee is in rural Tennessee on Monteagle. There are several hotels and other lodging opportunities in the area. The Sewanee Inn is within walking distance nearby. Also near campus is the locally-owned Smokehouse Inn and the Quality Inn. The Edgeworth Inn is a converted old house that can handle 6-7 parties. Thirteen miles from campus is the small town of Winchester, which has a Best Western and Quality Inn. Also at the foot of the mountain are the towns of South Pitssburgh and Kimball with several hotels by the interstate.
The Sewanee area also has numerous Air B&Bs.
Sewanee Integrated Program in the Environment
Sewanee’s Integrated Program in the Environment (SIPE) brings together 40+ faculty and staff members with expertise in a wide variety of environmental disciplines to offer dozens of courses and co-curricular opportunities that support our six environmental majors, five minors, and certificate in watershed studies. Our location in a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, supported by unique karst geology, a 13,000-acre forested campus, and a historic working farm, offers extraordinary field research and experiential learning opportunities that draw students from around the world to pursue environmental study. SIPE supports dozens of environmental internships and summer research fellowships every year, as well as student travel to conferences. SIPE also partners with the offices of Civic Engagement, Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, and Global Citizenship to offer unique place-based hands-on learning opportunities on campus, in surrounding communities, and abroad. Our newest partnership with the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation brings a new collaborative focus on environmental justice. The Sewanee Environmental Institute (SEI) Pre-College Field Experience program brings 40 to 55 high school students to our 13,000-acre Domain every summer to learn about environmental research and sustainability projects. In the last 10 years, 15-20% of Sewanee graduates have earned an environmental major, minor or track, making environmental studies one of Sewanee’s greatest strengths.
