Author Archives: John Byrne

Seeking Staff Members for Environmental Council

The Environmental Council is seeking 2 to 3 more staff members for 2017-2018.

The Environmental Council is comprised of students, faculty and staff (total of about 24 people – roughly two-thirds students and one third staff and faculty). The primary role of the EC is to advise the President on policy and practices related to environmental stewardship and sustainability. The EC also conducts projects or campaigns to address issues that are not otherwise being addressed. It is co-chaired by the director of the Office of Sustainability Integration and a faculty member.

The EC meets once a month at 4:30 pm on Mondays (usually at the Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest). It does its work through committees which meet as needed in between the monthly meetings. The focus for the coming year will be on engaging the college community in a discussion of putting a price on carbon emissions and what the college’s long term goals should be regarding renewable energy sourcing and carbon emissions. Other topics may also be added.

For more information about the EC contact Jack Byrne at 802 443 5043, jmbyrne@middlebury.edu.

Environmental Council and Grantees Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, MAY 14TH, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
The Orchard, Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest
Stop by for ice cream and hear from the Environmental Council and its grantees about what they’ve been working on this year including:

• Earth Yoga

• Energy conservation messaging

• Socially responsible investing
• Divestment

• Real Food

• Wildlife corridors

• Greening Kunming’s school abroad

• Bike fixit stations

• Growing the growers

• Vermont student climate coalition

• Electric vehicle charging stations

• Biomethane and carbon neutrality

• Indoor plant propagation

Environmental Council Seeks Input re: Electric Car Charging Stations

The Environmental Council is evaluating the possibility of installing electric vehicle charging stations on campus. We would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations regarding this exciting initiative.

Please email acook@middlebury.edu if you drive an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid, are considering purchasing one, or have any insights you would like to add to the discussion.

Questions:

1) Do you currently drive an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid?

2) Would you be more likely to purchase one if Middlebury College installed electric vehicle charging stations?

3) Which locations on campus are most conducive to charging stations?

4) Any other comments?

Request for Grant Proposals – Deadline Extended

NOTE: deadline extended to October 25, 2013

Apply for an Environmental Council Grant. Receive $25 -$2,500 in funding. Available to students, faculty and staff. Advance sustainability on or off campus.

Apply and learn more at GO/EC. Proposals due Friday, October 25th.

We have found that the most successful funded projects are collaborative, creative, and sustainable- bringing together groups and individuals from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, providing a new solution to a difficult problem, and having continuity beyond the initial funding phase.

 

Environmental Council Grants – Request for Proposals

Apply for an Environmental Council Grant. Receive $25 -$2500 in funding. Available to student, faculty and staff. Advance sustainability on or off campus.

Apply and learn more at GO/EC. Proposals due Friday, October 18th.

We have found that the most successful funded projects are collaborative, creative, and sustainable- bringing together groups and individuals from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, providing a new solution to a difficult problem, and having continuity beyond the initial funding phase.

Composting perfection – a few bins away

Middlebury College is a world class composting powerhouse. We are higher ed champions of turning food waste into rich compost that nourishes the soil of the campus landscape. Most of what would be landfilled and wasted is used – except for a few locations around campus. And now, a nearly perfect composting system is within our reach.

You can make the difference simply by requesting a small compost bucket designed for use in your work space, kitchenette, or recycling area. Join your colleagues in 85 other locations around campus who have piloted a test program for the past several years with grant support from the Environmental Council and help from the Campus Sustainability Coordinators. 

At your request, Facilities will deliver a green compost bin and custodial staff will empty it regularly with their recycling and waste pickups. It’s simple and convenient and it’s working. Just email recycling@middlebury.edu with the location where you’d like to have a compost bin. Thanks!

Give Your Car a Break

 
 
May 13-17 is Way to Go Week, an annual event where organizations across the state compete to see who can reduce the most carbon pollution in one week.
 
Middlebury College is up for the challenge and we encourage you to participate by taking the bus, riding a bike, walking or carpooling at least one day more than normal during Way to Go Week.
 
 
For help planning your route from home to work check out Middlebury’s transportation page or Way to Go’s site:
 
Motor vehicles are the single greatest contributor to air pollution in Vermont. By reducing the amount of cars driving to campus daily we can significantly reduce the amount of pollutants caused by transportation. It’s also a great way to meet a new friend or enjoy the spring weather (the forecast looks good next week). We hope you’ll join us and have some fun!