Â鶹¹ú²úAV

Among the three major projects that the interns took on during their summer work was developing a waste management action plan that will help Â鶹¹ú²úAV achieve its goal of diverting 90% of its waste from the landfill by 2030.

Betsy Gross ’24 and Adrian Stefan ’24 spent much of their summer ensuring that the near-3,000 trees on campus are appropriately marked and cataloged — a tedious but crucial task to help the College make strides toward a more sustainable future.

The “Green Attributes” project, designed by five students, outlines how the College can use green landscaping as a tool to further Â鶹¹ú²úAV’s commitment to sustainability. 

Avery, Lilia, and Margaret worked on a new reforestation plot (tract 11), developed new trail systems in the Rogers and Reservoir forests, and researched strategies to expand low-mow zones and pollinator gardens on campus.

Ryan and Jay worked on projects ranging from maintaining the many trails around campus, overseeing recycling efforts at weekly community lunches, to improving the reforestation area located on the former golf course.

Enogie and Christopher worked in the community farm by building pollinator gardens, and worked at reforestation sites around Clinton.

Hayley and Nick researched and implemented forest stewardship practices, investigated community engagement opportunities that generate carbon offsets through community tree planting, and investigated the practical and financial viability of projects related to green roofs/rooftop gardens, green fitness equipment, and green revolving funds.

Emma and Olivia investigated peer institution best practices to improve Cram & Scram, developed detailed analyses of alternative land use practices (no-mow zones, butterfly gardens, forest carbon sequestration) with the assistance of local forester Dr. Steven Bick, and worked on a community service project to clean up the Oriskany Creek.

Victoria investigated a geothermal replacement compressor system for Sage Rink, attended meetings hosted by BYSERDA and Second Nature regarding ongoing Â鶹¹ú²úAV initiatives, wrote a waste management plan, including an informational packet for RA’s, and contributed to the logistics for a sustainability-themed orientation adventure trip for first-year students.