Newswise — Grinnell College Campus Environmental and Safety Coordinator Chris Bair is available to talk to reporters about Grinnell's sustainability initiatives, including LEED certified campus buildings; the college's Conard Environmental Research Area (where the main building is powered by a wind turbine that supplies 90 percent of energy); the geothermal system for Grinnell's natatorium (currently under construction); and how the college's dining service is a leader in utilizing local foods.
Grinnell also has a number of student-led green initiatives underway, including ECOHouse, an off-campus sustainable living project (see below); environmental coordinators in the residence halls; a recyclables program that benefits a local low-income agency; and a community garden effort led by Grinnell students (see below).
ECOHouse is a sustainable living project house that just completed its first year. The 12 students "living green" in the college-owned house explored ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce water usage and waste, grow some of their own food, and educate the campus about their activities through outreach programming. The college's residence hall system also includes student environmental coordinators who monitor recycling activities and assist with awareness activities.
As part of a local foods effort, Grinnell students have planted a community garden to share produce with local residents and to sell at the local farmers' market to raise money for low-income families. The community garden is in addition to two student gardens on campus.
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