Sarah Gardner

Sarah Gardner is a Lecturer in Environmental Studies and Deputy Director of Co-curricular Programs and Community Engagement at Williams College, where she has taught since January 2002. Her work focuses on state and local environmental issues with strong connections to regional governmental, non-profit, and advocacy organizations.

Dr. Gardner holds a B.A. from Smith College, M.P.A. from Columbia University, and Ph.D. from the City University of New York. Her academic expertise spans environmental planning, city & town planning, rural development, community development, state and local environmental politics and policy, renewable energy, climate policy, farm and food systems planning, conservation and land protection, and agricultural practice and policy.

Her research interests center on sustainable agriculture, food systems, environmental planning, and community engagement. She has led numerous Winter Study travel courses to locations including the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and California, focusing on sustainable agriculture, marine conservation, and food systems. Her documentary film work explores themes of rural America, dairy farming, and community resilience, with recent projects including 'Hear Me' (2022), 'Farms for the Future' (2021), and 'Finding Hope in Farmland' (2020).

Dr. Gardner manages several programs including Log Lunch, Career Conversations, and the Summer Grants Program, while serving as faculty sponsor for student organizations like the Purple Bike Coalition, Garden Club, and Williams Environmental Council. She serves on the Environmental Studies Advisory Committee and Hopkins Forest Users Committee.

• B.A. Smith College
• M.P.A. Columbia University
• Ph.D. City University of New York

She has advised numerous senior theses on topics ranging from environmental justice to sustainable agriculture and marine conservation. Her professional service includes roles with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (2025-present), Dairy Sustainability Task Force (2021-present), Berkshire Grown (Board President since 2025), and Williamstown Agricultural Commission (Chair since 2018).