sustainability

This month, Wesleyan is celebrating its progress toward a sustainable campus and is about to embark on an exciting new project – the creation of a solar farm that will supply 1.2 million kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy each year and expand the university’s use of solar energy by six-fold. “The solar farm will be a highly visible sign of our progress, but our commitment to sustainability is embedded in everything we do,” said Jennifer Kleindienst, sustainability director at Wesleyan. Energy use has the greatest impact on Wesleyan’s carbon footprint, and efficiency and conservation programs, as well as expansion…

During Earth Month Wesleyan is celebrating its progress toward a sustainable campus. “From planning to composting, from university-wide utilities to low-flow showerheads, we are reducing our carbon footprint and creating a culture of sustainability," said Jennifer Kleindienst, sustainability director at Wesleyan. With leadership from Kleindienst, Wesleyan has developed a Sustainability Action Plan – a broad commitment to sustainability that is the result of more than a year of effort from over 130 students, faculty and staff. The plan is intended to guide the university’s efforts in this area over the next five years. “Wesleyan as a whole can contribute to…

As soon as the last winter storm smelted away, students involved with Wesleyan's Long Lane Farm were already planting seeds, weeding, tilling fields, staking plots and harvesting winter-hardy herbs, wild garlic and fresh chicken eggs. The student-run organic farm is devoted to allowing students a place to experiment and learn about sustainable agriculture. In addition to weekly meetings, students run public work days every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which are open to Wesleyan students and community members. The produce grown on Long Lane is sold at the Holden Farmer’s Market, donated to Amazing Grace Food Pantry, or served to students in Usdan.…

During the academic year, Wesleyan's Green Team is researching, communicating and implementing effective strategies that increase sustainability within their own departments and the university. Since 2014, the team has started sharing a "Green Minute" at Administrative Assistant meetings; purchased utensils to distribute to staff at annual meetings; installed a water cooler in Woodhead Lounge; encourages staff to bring their own cup or mug to meetings; received funding to install cabinets to house dishes in Woodhead Lounge to be used for key events; and encouraged the placement of houseplants in office spaces. They're currently focusing their efforts on managing waste sustainability, making sustainable purchases, reducing energy in their departments…

“There is no single ‘right way’ to be an environmentalist.” This is the philosophy of the Wesleyan Green Fund, which since 2010 has provided financial support to a wide range of sustainability projects on campus. Overseen by six to eight students, and advised by Sustainability Director Jennifer Kleindienst, the Green Fund has received 50 proposals for grants from over 30 organizations and individuals this year alone, and distributed close to $100,000 in funding. The money distributed by the Green Fund comes from a $15 per semester opt-out fee paid by students along with tuition. About 90 percent of students participate,…

In a story about the spread of microgrids in Connecticut, The Hartford Courant points to Wesleyan as a leader. Wesleyan's microgrid was the first project to come online under the inaugural round of Connecticut's first-in-the-nation statewide microgrid pilot program. According to the Courant, the $23 million state program to create a network of mini power generation plants across Connecticut was prompted by Tropical Storm Irene and Hurricane Sandy, which caused widespread power outages, flooding and other problems. In the case of a widespread power outage, microgrids can continue providing power to water treatment plants, emergency shelters, hospitals, police and fire stations. The Courant interviewed Alan Rubacha, director of Wesleyan's…

On April 12, the Purchasing Office organized a Green Vendor Show to showcase ecologically-minded businesses and promote new sustainable products and services awareness. Representatives visited from WB Mason, 3M, Proshred Security, Gateway Limo, Ricoh, Sun Services, Raymour & Flanigan, Polar Beverages, KIND Snack Bars and more. "Members of the Wesleyan community were welcome to stop by and learn about new products and services and ways they might save money for their departments," said organizer Olga Bookas, director of purchasing. Participants left with many free samples and raffle prizes. (more…)

More than 60 students gathered in Beckham Hall for the College for East Asian Studies Student Conference, “Environment in Asia,” co-sponsored with the Center for Global Studies and the Center for Pedagogical Innovation on March 25. Professor of Government Mary Alice Haddad, Associate Professor of Music Su Zheng, and Associate Professor of Film Studies Lisa Dombrowski offered their discipline as a lens through which to view environmental concerns in the region— from using political action to regulate pollution, to music videos that call attention to smog concerns, to films that highlight the surreal aspects of man-made structures that change the landscape. Following…

Sustainability Director Jennifer Kleindienst spoke in January at the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition conference about Wesleyan's experience with composting (also called organics recycling). Wesleyan's composting efforts began intermittently in 2010 through student initiative. Beginning in 2012-13, Kleindienst, her interns, Physical Plant staff, and Bon Appetit led regular residential and dining pre- and post-consumer collection. The vast majority of composed material comes from Usdan, but other participants include approximately150 wood frame, program houses, and apartment residences, seven of nine dorms, and a handful of offices. Finished compost is sent to Long Lane Farm. Wesleyan's trash, recycling and composting data can be seen below: Kleindienst announced that…

Wesleyan's Green Team, currently comprised of six administrative assistants, is researching, communicating and implementing effective strategies that increase sustainability within their own departments and the university. They're currently focusing their efforts on managing waste sustainability, making sustainable purchases, reducing energy in their departments, encouraging colleagues and working to shift the culture of their areas to be sustainable. The Green Team is always open to new members. For more information on the Green Team, e-mail Anika Dane or Blanche Meslin. Also, visit the Green Team's Green Tips page for ideas on how to make your office more sustainable!

#THISISWHY For the second consecutive year, Wesleyan recently was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its work diverting food waste. It is the only educational institution in Connecticut to receive a "Regional Food Recovery Achievement Certificate." Wesleyan joined the EPA's Food Recovery Challenge in 2013. Through this program, organizations pledge to improve their sustainable food management practices and report results. Organizations are encouraged to follow the EPA's Food Recovery Hierarchy to prioritize their actions to prevent and divert food waste. The hierarchy suggests a range of options, from reducing the volume of surplus food generated and donating extra food…

Several students are celebrating the fall season at Wesleyan's Long Lane Farm. Farm interns are still harvesting pumpkins, peppers, beets, tomatoes, fresh flowers, thyme and other herbs this October. The student-run organic farm is devoted to allowing students a place to experiment and learn about sustainable agriculture. Long Lane students also seek to foster good relationships with local farmers. On Oct. 17, the College of the Environment hosted its annual Pumpkin Fest at the farm. Participants received farm tours, free veggie burgers, craft opportunities, face paintings and live music performances. Pumpkins, along with other produce, were sold at the festival. View photos of Pumpkin…

New Solar Farm, Panels Help Generate Electricity on Campus

Wesleyan Launches Sustainability Action Plan during Earth Month

Garden Season Starts Early at Long Lane Organic Farm

Wesleyan’s Green Team Raises Awareness of Sustainability Efforts on Campus

Wesleyan Green Fund Financially Supports Campus Sustainability Projects

Wesleyan Leading the Way in Connecticut With Its Microgrid

Green Vendor Show Showcases Sustainable Products, Services

CEAS Hosts “Environment in East Asia” Student Conference

Kleindienst Speaks on Wesleyan’s Composting Efforts at CT Recyclers Coalition

Green Team Encourages Campus to Better Manage Waste Sustainability

Wesleyan Recognized for Efforts Diverting Food Waste

Students Celebrate Fall with Pumpkin Fest, Long Lane Farm Harvest