2011
Two Nashville juniors place third in national sustainability challenge
May. 26, 2011—By Missy Pankake, Vanderbilt News Service Two members of the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt, Catherine Caffey and Emily Alsentzer, finished third out of 24 finalists in the Siemens We Can Change The World Challenge, a national sustainability challenge. They will each receive a $5,000 scholarship and the School for Science and Math...
Take advantage of fresh foods from local farmers this growing season
May. 20, 2011—by Kendra Abkowitz, Sustainability and Environmental Management Office Tennessee’s summer growing season brings ample opportunities to enjoy fresh, locally and sustainably grown and produced vegetables, fruits, meats, flowers, herbs, cheeses, bread and much more! The best opportunities for finding these food items are conveniently available in the Middle Tennessee area: farmers’ markets community-supported agriculture (CSA)...
Nobel prize-winner tells seniors to be agents of change
May. 12, 2011—by Jim Patterson [Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service] Read a transcript of Maathai’s talk. A Vanderbilt University graduate is a “potential great change agent,” Nobel Peace Prize-winner Wangari Maathai told seniors the day before their Commencement ceremony. “You are ready,” Maathai exhorted students in Memorial Gymnasium. “Go forth then, the world is waiting.” Maathai...
Rand Hall improvements win 2011 Energy Management Achievement award
May. 4, 2011—Vanderbilt University has been awarded the 2011 Energy Management Achievement award by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers and the Center for Energy Efficiency at Middle Tennessee State University. The award recognized recent energy efficiency improvements to Rand Hall. Plant Operations improved the heating and cooling system and upgraded the building...
Have a clean Spring: Add some green to your cleaning routine
Apr. 28, 2011—Now that spring is well underway and the weather is warmer, thoughts turn to freshening up your surroundings. Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition, and can result in simplifying and organizing your home and/or office without impacting the environment by following some simple strategies. “Spring cleaning is a great time to think about your environmental...
Vanderbilt turns in solid performance in RecycleMania competition
Apr. 25, 2011—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in myVU] by Missy Pankake The RecycleMania competition is now over and has official winners for 2011. RecycleMania is a friendly recycling competition among colleges and universities across the country sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Keep America Beautiful. Together, participating colleges and universities recycled or composted...
Vanderbilt University receives ‘A’ rating on new report ranking the top 50 national universities on environmental and social transparency
Apr. 22, 2011—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] by Missy Pankake Vanderbilt University received an “A” rating and was one of the top five universities recognized in a recently released analysis of environmental and social sustainability transparency. Using data collected during the spring of 2010 from university websites and other voluntary reporting initiatives, the Roberts...
Commuting options save money, reduce pollution
Apr. 22, 2011—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] By Missy Pankake Almost 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions produced at Vanderbilt are from employees commuting to and from work. Combine that with gas prices on the rise, and many employees are exploring their commuting options. A Clean Air Fair focused on commuting was held...
Idea for community garden grows into reality
Apr. 22, 2011—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] Last year, the Vanderbilt Initiative for Vegetarian Awareness (VIVA) had the idea to create a Vanderbilt Community Garden to grow crops for Vanderbilt students in organic and sustainable ways. This month, the garden became a reality with the first planting. “VIVA created the garden, along with generous...
Attend the release of Nashville’s Open Space Plan on Thursday, April 14
Apr. 12, 2011—Photo credits: Gary Layda, Anita McCaig and The Land Trust for Tennessee. Directions to Shelby Bottoms Nature Center For more information about The Land Trust for Tennessee, visit http://www.landtrusttn.org/.