The Center for Environmental Stewardship (CES) is celebrating the first annual Campus Sustainability Month in October.
Stevenson University joined the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) this year, marking its first year participating as a collective international effort in Campus Sustainability Month by hosting a number of green events.
Campus Sustainability Month is an international celebration of sustainability in higher education. Its goal is to raise the awareness of sustainability on campus and to engage and inspire students, staff, faculty and the community to engage in sustainable efforts.
“If we want to preserve our world and keep it the way it is, we need to be making changes, and do that drastically,” said Emily Scharen, a resident director who is assisting with the event.
On October 24, CES will be kicking off the “Reduce Your Hoofprint” Challenge in the apartments. Residents can pledge to participate in the challenges and receive a recycling bin for their apartment.
Students will be able to complete weekly challenges in an effort to live a more environmentally efficient lifestyle. Those who complete more than 75 percent of the challenges will win prizes and access to the “Put the SU in SUstainability” competition.
“College students want to learn how to take more responsibility and grow personally,” said Dr. Kimberly Pause Tucker, director of the Center for Environmental Stewardship at Stevenson University. “Last year we collected and donated over 6000 pounds of household goods and over a 1000 pounds of non-perishable goods.”
Beginning on October 24 is an initiative titled “Do It In The Dark.” The event, which is taking place in Herring Run, Wakefield, and Wooded Way residence halls, aims to reduce energy usage there by promoting a decrease in energy consumption of electricity and water.
The CES is also collecting used Brita filters, pitchers, and packaging for recycling in the CES office located on the Owings Mills North campus, room N181. The CES is also selling milk weed seeds to help fund a native plant garden on campus.
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