Going Green @ Haverford

I am pleased to report that the Devereux Bike Sale held on August 31st did extremely well. In fact they’d  sold out by 12:30.

Below is an excerpt from an email from Michelle Brown, Director of Business & Customer Relations: The Shops at Devereux.

“…it was fantastic. This week’s bike sale was a huge success, with a sale of 29 bicycles! Early birds sure caught the worm as more than half of our inventory was gone in the 1st hour of the sale! We did learn our lesson, however and will be sure to bring bike locks for sale next time.

Our individuals who worked the sale also really enjoyed interacting with the students.”

Michelle went on to say that many students were very interested in bikes and are welcome to stop by Devereux anytime M-F between the hours of 8:30 and 4:30. If they are looking for a specific style of bicycle, they can call before coming – 610-964-3153. They’re within walking distance from the Devon Train Station.

I’d like to thank everyone who made the Bike Sale a success.
Claudia

We’ve been busy this summer. Not only did we draft a green office program, but we’ve revamped the Sustainability Worker position. Starting with the title. Sustainability Worker always sounded a little awkward, it’ll now be known as the Sustainability Assistant . We also made our first hire.

Meet Steve Griffith.

Steve, Class of 2012, is from Waterbury, Vermont and the youngest of three boys. He majors in Growth and Structure of Cities, minors in Economics, and has played Men’s Varsity Soccer during his 4-year academic career at Haverford.  Steve’s resume and interests are impressive. He spent the summer of 2010 writing grants for Vermont’s largest affordable, sustainable housing project-Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. In spring 2011, Steve worked as an intern for the American Academy in Rome, Italy creating a digital database for archaeological materials and most recently went on an athletic excursion to Sweden and Denmark with the Men’s Soccer Team.

There’s a good chance you’ll get to meet Steve this fall. He’ll be visiting different departments promoting the green office program. Hopefully he can talk you into becoming a “Green Squirrel.”

Mike Startup and Charlie Jenkins

For those of you who have never set foot on Haverford’s campus, and I know there are a few of you out there, this campus is beautiful! Stunningly beautiful!! The first time I drove through the main gate 16 years ago, it took my breath away.  It took me five years to land a job here and every once in awhile, usually sometime in May, it still does.

All waxing aside, I’d like to tell you about a new blog. Horticulturist Mike Startup, joined us six years ago after being downsized from Longwood Gardens. Their loss, our gain. Mike is a true plants man and puts the “wow” in every project he takes on. He came up with the idea of blogging about the arboretum and has just posted his first blog. I encourage you to take a look.

blogs.haverford.edu/arboretum/

A couple years ago, the Director for the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship, Parker Snowe, approached me with the idea of greening the CPGC. He described it as wanting to “walk the walk” when it came to sustainability. Of course I was intrigued, I’m always up for suggestions on how to make Haverford more sustainable. The seed that CPGC planted several years ago has grown into a program that CER is proudly launching this fall. The Green Office Program.

Departments that sign up are given a checklist and ways to make their offices more sustainable. You could go for Silver or Gold Squirrel Certification or the granddaddy…”Green Squirrel.” For more information and how to get started, visit the Greening Haverford website.

As a proud charter participant of the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System(STARS©), Haverford College is pleased to announce that it has received a Bronze rating. Truly a campus wide endeavor that included 30 individuals from over 20 departments, we are pleased that we excelled in community service, community participation and in our community sustainability partnerships. The completion  of the STARS© survey provides a guide for future sustainability endeavors that will improve the well-being of our community and environment.

stars.aashe.org/institutions/haverford-college-pa/report/2011-07-28/.

I picked my first tomato yesterday.  I was a little over eager and it wasn’t quite ripe; currently it’s sitting in my window  looking very delicious.There’s something very satisfying about picking the first vegetable of the season. In April, I waited anxiously for the first pea pod. It was pure sugar.

I’m very fortunate to have vegetables growing here(at Haverford) and at home. It makes me feel sad for all the city and suburban  folk who select their vegetables from under misters at local supermarkets. Things are starting to change. The demand for fresh vegetable has spurred local farmers to set up mini markets all over the region. Just about every day during the growing season there is a fresh food stand somewhere.

With this in mind I collected a list of farmers selling local food. I think everyone one has heard of the Ardmore Farmer’s Market. Linvilla Orchards is a family fun day destination, complete with pick your own and petting zoo.  Farm to City is a Philadelphia- based program whose goal is to unite communities, families, and farmers year-round through good locally grown food. Their website,  www.farmtocity.org, has a list of local farmers markets.  The Food Trust’s mission (www.thefoodtrust.org/) is a little different. It strives to make healthy food available to all. Working with neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers and policymakers, it’s developed a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education and greater availability of affordable, healthy food.

However, you decide to buy your fresh vegetables, meat and dairy you can’t go wrong supporting your local farmer. Even the local supermarkets are getting on board. Look for the Buy Fresh/Buy Local logo, you really can’t go wrong.

In the garden

Haverford College’s Sustainability Website “Greening Haverford”  is up and running.

Anything you ever wanted to know about Sustainability at Haverford is posted on the new site. Questions about recycling?? It’s there!  How about energy conservation or local food? We have information and links to relevant sites.

“Ask the Green Squirrel” will answer any obscure (and not so obscure) questions you may have and the suggestion box is awaiting any ideas.

Take a look, we think you’ll like it.

www.haverford.edu/greening_haverford/

As part of the STARS Survey we asked how you get to and from work. Of the 183 responses, the breakdown is as follows
 
Walk, bicycle or other non-motorized means:  17
Van or Carpool: 6
Shuttle or Public Transportation: 11
Drive Alone: 149
 
For those who do not have access to a computer, paper surveys were distributed.
Thanks for participating.
Claudia

 Electronics Recycling Day – Earth Day 2011

Summary:  Haverford College Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS) is partnering with Capitol Asset Recycling for Earth Day 2011.  Capitol Asset will be on Haverford’s campus on Friday, April 22, 2011 from 10am to 3pm to accept outdated or broken electronic equipment such as batteries, computers, monitors, mobile phones, home theater equipment and more.  Equipment that is brought for recycling will be accepted without fee.  The event is open to members of the Haverford College community, including students, faculty and staff, their families and friends.

Anyone bringing bringing something to recycle will be entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes.

Locations:

The primary dropoff location will be at Sharpless Triangle, corner of Coursey Road and College Lane on Haverford’s Main Campus.  An additional drop off location will be set up behind Haverford Court Apartments (HCA) on the Apartment Path that connects the South Parking Lot and the HCA.

Unicycle Lane??

As part of our participation in the AASHE STARS Survey, we’re asking how you get to work. A link in Wenesday’s Daily Digest and March 24 Founder’s Bell will take you to the survey where you will be asked one question. Yes, you got it right, one question. Honestly, if it takes more than five seconds you’re doing something wrong. Of course, as always, participation is much appreciated. Any problems please contact me at ckent@haverford.edu.

We’re asking all responses to be in by April 8, 2011.

Claudia