September 25, 2009

Today: Environmental Stewardship

Sustainability at Purdue focuses on measurable efforts such as energy conservation, responsible use of land, water and other environmental resources, a commitment to pollution prevention and waste minimization, and increasing awareness and acceptance of personal responsibility for Purdue and its surrounding communities.

The Purdue Sustainability Council was formed in 2007 to bring faculty, staff, and students together to share ideas on sustainability. The council hosts a series of educational forums that are open to Purdue people and members of our community. Learn more about the council by clicking here.

If you'd like to participate on the Sustainability Council or would like to be added to the e-mail list please contact Robin Mills Ridgway, director of sustainability and environmental stewardship, at rmridgway@purdue.edu.

TODAY'S EVENTS:

* Purdue Arboretum Project 9:30-10:30 a.m. LWSN 1142.
- The Purdue Arboretum: Peter Caldwell and Tim Detzner will provide information on the Physical Facilities/Horticulture and Landscape Architecture partnership to establish the West Lafayette campus as a registered arboretum. This sustainability initiative is helping transform our green spaces into living laboratories for our students and enhancing the beauty of campus.

* Indiana Sustainability Panel 10:30-11:30 a.m. LWSN 1142.
- A panel of sustainability officials from Indiana colleges and universities speaking about sustainability initiatives being implemented or investigated on each campus. Institutions of higher education represented will include DePauw University, Taylor University, Indiana University-Bloomington and Purdue.

* College of Agriculture Lunchtime Seminar. Noon-1 p.m. Deans Auditorium, Pfendler Hall.
- "The Story of Emerald Ash Borer -- A Cautionary Tale About What An Invasive Insect Can Do" with Jodie Ellis, exotic insects education coordinator, Department of Entomology.

* Sustainability Showcase with ESE Graduate Poster Competition. Noon-4 p.m. Purdue Armory.
- Sustainability research on campus, displays from Purdue's "green" vendors, posters for ongoing and planned sustainability initiatives, corporate friends and community involvement groups along with the ESE Poster Competition (PDF) — Enter the poster competition.

* Department of Chemistry Lecture. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Room 320, Wetherill Chemistry Building.
- "Our Journey to a Sustainable World -- the Role of Green Chemistry" with Dr. Robert Peoples, director of the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute.
 
* Wabash River Cleanup. 4-7 p.m.
- 30 volunteers are needed to help clean up the one mile stretch of the river south of the State Road 26 bridge. This portion is the responsibility of Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality (the local MS4 jurisdiction). Contact: Jim Knapp, Purdue University Senior Civil Engineer, jrknapp@purdue.edu

Additional resources:

* Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education -- As a member institution, all Purdue faculty, staff, and students with a @purdue.edu address are eligible to establish an account.