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Floor dinner from the Edible Gardens. Floor dinners are a great way to bring people together, take a break from studying, and eat good food. Better yet, take your floor on a tour of the Edible Gardens and collect ingredients along the way. The gardens behind Ylvi or in front of Valders are filled with lettuce, kale, green peppers, string beans, and tomatoes, and basil all which could be used to make a hearty spaghetti dinner or fresh salad! Read more about the Edible Gardens on the Campus and Community Gardens webpage.
Bike Rides. Riding bikes is a great way to explore the area, get some exercise and decompress from stressful academic and extracurricular obligations. While the weather is still nice., you can rent bicycles from Luther's Bike Share program, take a group on the 11-mile Trout Run Trail in Decorah, or attend a group-ride organized by SPOKES, Luther's student-run biking club. Contact Sustainable Transportation Educator Sean McKenzie with any questions or if assistance is needed in setting up an event.
Recycling Center Tour.
Ever wonder where your materials go after they get tossed in the blue bins?
Terry Buenzow, department manager at the Winneshiek County Recycling Center, gives tours of the recycling operations that Luther contracts with. Borrow a van and head down for a short tour to educate yourself and your residents about how paper, plastics and metals get recycled after they leave Luther. Contact Terry to organize a time to take the tour.
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First Year Service Projects. Over the weekend of September 10th, first year students and residence assistants participated in First Year Service Projects to fill various needs on campus and to familiarize new students with aspects of sustainability on campus. Throughout the weekend, groups cleared invasive buckthorn plants from Hickory Ridge Woods and other Luther-owned lands, completed waste audits from dumpsters on campus, and laid new compost for future cover crop planting at the Luther College Farm. The Center for Sustainable Communities would like to thank all the first years and residence assistants who volunteered over the weekend! Visit the Luther College Photoshelter site to see pictures from the activities!
Luther Solar Projects Highlighted Nationally. As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and Second Nature released three case studies highlighting higher education investment in solar energy projects, one of which featured Luther College. Luther currently hosts more solar energy than any other entity in Iowa, and it ranks third nationally among private liberal arts colleges behind Oberlin and Bowdoin. Visit the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems webpage to read the case study and learn more about Luther's renewable energy projects.
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Tips for a Greener Residence Hall
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 Next time you leave your room for the day, make sure you unplug as many electronics from the wall as possible! When you leave the computer charger, phone charger and other electronic devices plugged in when not in use, they still use and waste electricity. So, when your electronics are done charging, unplug the charger from the wall to help save energy. Giving your laptop or cellphone a break from the charger will also help prolong its battery life. Help us save energy in the residence halls by making this simple practice a habit!
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This newsletter is provided by the Center for Sustainable Communities in collaboration with the Luther College Wellness Department. The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region. We believe that physical wellness is an important component of sustainability, and advocate for the physical, mental, and emotional health of our campus and local community. For more information on initiatives at Luther and the outreach work of the Center for Sustainable Communities and Wellness Department, please visit:
www.luther.edu/sustainability and
www.luther.edu/studentlife/wellness/.
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Plant Giveaway Event
Tuesday, September 27st
9:40am-10:50am Valders Greenhouse
A Luther favorite- stop by the Valders Greenhouse to pick up a free plant from the Luther College Grounds Crew!
Learn more
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Sustainability House Open House
Saturday, October 1st
12:00-3:00pm Sustainability House
Sustainability House residents are hosting an open house for the Luther community. Stop by for food, games and great conversation!
Learn more
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Shopping Shuttle
Saturday, October 8
11:00am SOS Office
The shopping shuttle runs 2-3 times per month, and will take students downtown and to Walmart at no charge to complete their monthly shopping needs.
Learn more
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| Megan Oliver '19 |
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Megan is a sophomore from Holmen, Wisconsin. Studying Elementary Education and French, Megan is serving a new role in the Center for Sustainable Communities as a Zero Waste Educator. Throughout the year, Megan will be working with students to help them lower their individual waste while finding ways to help Luther achieve zero waste as well. Megan leads by example by trying to live a zero waste lifestyle by producing as little trash as possible. She says, "Since I am so passionate about sustainability, I hope to implement programs like this in my future classroom such as composting, education on recycling and the importance of using reusables! I want to empower my future students that they can help positively impact our earth!" If you have any questions or would like to work with Megan on decreasing Luther's waste stream, contact her at olivme01@luther.edu.
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