Natural Resource Management

This isn't really anything new but it is certainly exciting. The Office of Campus Sustainability participates every year in the Experiential Learning program. In the past we have worked with Eric Crighton's first year environmental issues class. Each year these students help conduct recycling surveys on campus that ultimately end up being used to improve the campus recycling system.

This year we have been working with Renate Sander-Regier, the prof for the third year natural resource management class. The concept is simple - the students of the course have to assess the natural resources of the campus and make recommendations about how to use them all sustainably.

Please allow this brief interjection. I like the ELS program because it does 3 things. First, students get to do some real work and learn some practical skills, not that theoretical stuff that sometimes leaves you feeling empty sometimes. Two, a community group gets the benefit of some much needed work / info / help... whatever is needed. Three, we can use the recommendations from these reports to improve the campus.

Now I have been cooped up in my house for the last 3 weeks marking papers and making comments, and all I have to say is... wow! I have to say a lot of this stuff is gold! So I have decided that for the next couple of posts I am going to reveal some of the awesome campus sustainability ideas that the students generated. Stay tuned.
-jon