Students, faculty and staff at the University of Michigan are invited to an open house Nov. 17 that will review initiatives, projects and programs that are supportive of the university’s 2025 sustainability goals.
The town hall will include presentations that will highlight new and expanded programs that stem from the university’s $100 million investment toward more sustainable campus operations.
Refreshments will be served and attendees will get the opportunity to ask questions and speak with sustainability representatives following the presentations.
Event information
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When: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17
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Presentations: Noon-1 p.m.
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Reception with Rufus: 1-2 p.m.
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Where: Hatcher Graduate Library Gallery
The Office of Campus Sustainability is hosting the event with support from the Planet Blue Ambassador Program.
“Many of the new expanded projects and initiatives focus on the role we can play in creating a more sustainable campus,” said Anya Dale, sustainability representative in OCS and one of the event organizers. “This event is geared toward updating the community on our efforts and providing resources and opportunities to get involved.”
The university’s sustainability efforts support goals in the areas of climate action, waste prevention, healthy environments and community awareness.
Speakers will share updates on projects including energy reduction, the zero-waste program, consistent bin signage and other sustainability culture-building efforts.
After the presentations, attendees can visit information tables for updates on the campus sustainability goals and to connect with one another to share ideas on other sustainability efforts. Rufus, the campus recycling mascot, will be there to encourage attendees to get involved.
There are a number of ways for faculty and staff to engage in U-M sustainability, including:
• The Planet Blue Ambassador program.
• Certification through the Sustainable Workplace or Sustainable Lab programs.
• Hosting a zero-waste event.
• Funding opportunities through Planet Blue Renewable Energy Demonstration Projects.
The event will include seasonal and local sustainable food provided by Michigan Dining.
The town hall is a zero-waste event and supports the university’s overall commitment to sustainability known as Planet Blue.
For more information on U-M sustainability and the 2025 campus sustainability goals, visit the Planet Blue website.
Gina Kapiloff
I am very glad to see the effort which Michigan is putting into integrating ecological sustainability in campus life.
One of the greatest challenges to achieving such sustainability is the greenhouse effect caused in part by carbon emissions. Carbon dioxide can be effectively sequestered in a number of ways. One of the most efficient means of such sequestration is simply reforestation. The best way to ensure that efforts at clearing the air by planting trees are not rendered futile by the logging industry is to plant trees with another economic benefit. I would suggest chestnut trees.
At one time, 3.5 billion chestnut trees stood in the American forests. One fourth of the forests of Maryland and Pennsylvania were chestnut trees.
Tragically, a fungal blight annihilated this once prevalent indigenous tree in the early decades of the 20th century. There is a move on by the American Chestnut Foundation and certain cooperative farmers to once more domestically produce organic, naturally gluten free chestnuts as food.
I encourage you to acquire some soon to serve in such new and old forms as
1) Spiced Paleo Yule Log
2) Marron Chestnut Pudding with Agar
I am cautiously optimistic that I may soon be able to enjoy, in additional to the usual pretzels, popcorn, and hotdogs, roasted Michigan chestnuts at the football game in Ann Arbor during parent weekend.
Another great tree is oak, and dishes made from acorns are gluten-free as well.
Michigan Mom