Green Mountain College wins sustainability award

I can honestly say that I’ve never been in as inspirational place as Green Mountain College. I don’t realize how unique the people are here until I leave for a bit and am accosted by “real life.” The members of the GMC community are caring and concerned humans who understand their relative relationship with the natural world. They understand the importance of the environment and are constantly seeking ways to live in balance within this wonderful land.

When the college hired Jesse Pyles (Campus Sustainability Coordinator) a few years ago it was in my opinion the best hire they have made since I’ve been at the college. Pyles has helped the college and students here to reach our sustainability goals ... and when we don’t know what our goals are he helps show us our capabilities. He essentially pushes us towards being as green as Green Mountain College can be.

One of the best things Pyles has done since he was hired was to start the “Student Campus Greening Fund” (SCGF). Every year the students are given $30,000 to personally allocate towards projects that make the college more sustainable. Interested and dedicated students take the time to write up a proposal explaining their idea and asking for a certain amount of money. After Pyles review the proposals, the entire student body has the opportunity to vote on which projects they deem most important. The ones with the most votes receive the funds and the projects come to life.

These proposals have been as simple as asking for more recycling containers to be placed all around the college … to as large as getting all the lights in the dining hall changed to compact fluorescent, energy saving light bulbs (both of which were successful at the college). For the students to have such a direct impact and vote on how the college spends its money for such greening projects is commendable and exciting. I applaud my peers who take the time to write up proposals. The types of projects I have seen come to fruition makes me confident many students here will go on to lead lives of positive influence and light footprints.

But don’t take just my word for it … after all, I’m probably pretty biased! What cannot be contended is Green Mountain College’s recent National sustainability award.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) presented its annual Campus Sustainability Leadership Awards Friday, September 7, with Green Mountain College winning the 'Under a 1,000' category. The awards recognize institutions that have demonstrated an outstanding overall commitment to sustainability in their governance and administration, curriculum and research, operations, campus culture, and community outreach.

"We had a very competitive pool of applicants this year, so winning one of these awards is a major achievement," said Tom Kimmerer, the Executive Director of AASHE.