Sustainability News

One of the biggest factors I considered when looking for a college was its commitment to sustainability. As our environment continues to change, it is important to support institutions that recognize the need for anthropogenic change. Colleges and universities are responsible for housing, feeding, and the upkeep of facilities/land; they provide the necessities for students residing on campus. Because students rely on the university for their basic necessities, they can’t maintain as many personal sustainability practices. But luckily, they don’t need to worry because OU continues to implement eco-friendly choices. Here are five of my favorite ways OU tackles sustainable living:

Earth Day at Ohio University has become increasingly more important and is celebrated yearly. Even with the holiday falling on Palmer Fest, people still found a way to spread awareness for dear old Mother Earth. With climate change and sustainability becoming a more significant conversation topic each year, this was how students cared for trees of green and red roses, too.

Sam Crowl, associate director of sustainability at OU, is assisting OU’s Office of Sustainability in the Ohio Earth Day Celebrations held in the Walter Rotunda this Thursday, April 27, from noon to 4 p.m. During this event, there will be presentations, Earth Day-themed poetry and an Earth Day proclamation from the mayor of Athens.

Every day, students, faculty and staff work to make Ohio University a more climate-friendly place to live and learn. 

From the Office of Sustainability facilitating the OHIO Sustainability and Climate Action Plan to the many colleges leading innovative research efforts, Ohio University is home to an abundance of programs that seek to benefit people and the planet.

Read on to learn more about Ohio University’s sustainability efforts. 

Nearly eight years ago, Nicole Kirchner, senior project manager for Energy and Environmental Programs at the George Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service(opens in a new window) (GVS), 2016 GVS Research Scholar Kate Blyth, and former GVS professional staff member Elissa Welch wanted to make the OHIO campus more sustainable. The three started small: spreading the word and advertising to various organizations about changes they could make to host environmentally friendly events. 

In 2019, GVS Research Scholar Elle Dickerman took over the project with Kirchner. The two were working together on the Sugar Bush Foundation-funded, Appalachia Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI), a project with community partner, Rural Action, that provides education and resources on local waste infrastructure, waste reduction, and informing students and community members on becoming active in the mission to reduce and divert waste. Kirchner said this initial outreach by AOZWI inspired the expansion of the checklist and led them to redevelop the Green Events Guide(opens in a new window). 

When one takes a stroll through Ohio University’s Athens campus, the beautiful nature is undeniable. Part of that is thanks to the many grounds services workers, including Susan Calhoun, BS ’85.

For 35 years, Calhoun took care of OHIO’s magnificent trees and landscapes, including the iconic cherry trees, until her recent retirement as landscape coordinator. 

Calhoun started in the grounds department in 1987, but also worked as a student employee previously in the plant biology department for the greenhouse and gardens under Dr. Richard Rypma. She graduated from OHIO with a degree in plant biology(opens in a new window) from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Climate change is on the minds of many in the future Class of 2027, and could be a critical factor in how current high-schoolers make their final college choices in the coming weeks. For many prospective students, climate change is an existential threat; as a result, colleges and universities across the country are seeking and finding innovative ways to curb their emissions and become more environmentally sustainable.

With the fluctuating weather temperatures in Athens, there's no denying the dramatic effects it has on plants, animals and community members. Ryan Fogt, professor of meteorology, acknowledged the wavering temperature changes happening around the world, and he said the climate is only going to get more extreme and intense in the future. 

The OHIO Men’s Basketball game on Feb. 21 served as the GameDay Challenge as a part of OHIO Campus Recycling’s Campus Race to Zero Waste initiative. As the eight-week effort continues, and there are many events coming up to engage students and community members. 

During the basketball game, members of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, the Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors, Campus Recycling, and community members tabled and helped Bobcat fans place their trash in the correct bin. After the game, all waste was sorted and the stands were litter picked.

Luscious flora and dense oak trees encapsulate Sells Park in Athens, which weaves through various shale and limestone rock formations deeply connected within Strouds Run Park.

Inside the forests of Strouds Run lies towering chestnut, oak and persimmon trees that have existed for hundreds of years — alongside numerous different species of edible mushrooms and lichens such as liverwort and turkey tails.

Foraging is the act of gathering foods such as fruits, nuts, vegetables or fungi from the wild, and it is a process that has occurred for thousands of years.

Luscious flora and dense oak trees encapsulate Sells Park in Athens, which weaves through various shale and limestone rock formations deeply connected within Strouds Run Park.

Inside the forests of Strouds Run lies towering chestnut, oak and persimmon trees that have existed for hundreds of years — alongside numerous different species of edible mushrooms and lichens such as liverwort and turkey tails.

Foraging is the act of gathering foods such as fruits, nuts, vegetables or fungi from the wild, and it is a process that has occurred for thousands of years.

The OHIO Office of Sustainability(opens in a new window) is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Sustainability Awards. The awards recognize students, staff, faculty, departments and community members or organizations for their outstanding contributions to sustainability at Ohio University or in the local community.

The awards are open to all OHIO students, faculty and staff on all Ohio University campuses, and the Community Sustainability Award is open to community members or groups. Award winners will be announced at Ohio University's Earth Day Celebrations on April 27, 2023. The entire University community is invited to participate in the Earth Day activities.