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Hindu YUVA, Prescott College launch sustainability residency
The five-day Arizona program brought together students and young professionals to explore environmental stewardship through Hindu philosophy, outdoor learning, and sustainability practices.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 27, May 2026
- 18:48 EDT
- 41
Participants rock climbing as part of the program. / Hindu YUVA
Hindu YUVA and Prescott College partnered to host a five-day sustainability residency program for Hindu students and young professionals, combining outdoor learning with Dharmic philosophy and environmental education.
The program, titled Dharma and the Experience of Sustainability, was held in northern Arizona from May 21 to 25 and focused on connecting Hindu teachings with contemporary discussions around sustainability, climate responsibility, and ecological stewardship.
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According to a press release, participants took part in activities including rock climbing, stargazing, local service projects, and nature-based learning experiences while also studying concepts such as the Five Koshas, Pranayama, the Chakra System, and cultural ecology.
Organizers said the residency was designed to move beyond a traditional classroom environment and encourage participants to develop a deeper relationship with nature through a Dharmic lens.
Faculty members and sustainability leaders guiding the program included Prescott faculty Galeet Farrow and Laura Bebee, along with prominent Indian American community leader Bhavini Patel, who serves as Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, a nonprofit committed to building the knowledge, perspective, and ability needed to create a better tomorrow for residents.
“The Hindu YUVA cohort that gathered in Prescott was nothing short of remarkable,” said Farrow, who served as one of the instructors for the residency. “Participants engaged with Dharma not as a concept but as living reality.”
"From rock climbing and native plant identification to composting and garden-to-table initiatives, every activity became a doorway into the understanding that nature worship and ecological practice are one and the same. Participants left with renewed motivation to explore the extraordinary depth of their heritage and what Hinduism has to offer a world in profound need of this wisdom," Farrow added.
Program organizers said the initiative aimed to help Hindu American youth understand sustainability, service, and environmental responsibility as values deeply rooted in Dharmic teachings.
Likhitha Yettela, who led the first cohort, said the residency also helped create a network of young Hindu Americans interested in climate action and sustainability initiatives within their communities and campuses. "We left inspired to create change within our local communities, and the program helped establish a strong support system to assist us in achieving our goals. Attendees came together to brainstorm potential sustainability workshops, initiatives, and events that embody Hindu YUVA’s mission on campuses.”
The program reflects a growing effort among Hindu American organizations to connect ancient Hindu philosophical frameworks with contemporary global challenges such as climate change, environmental justice, and sustainable living.
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