Priorities
Urban farming utilizes vacant land to improve local access to nutritious foods and promotes sustainable resource use by demonstrating ecological methods of living.
The council focuses its current work on three priority areas, each led by a subcommittee.
Urban Agriculture
The Sustainability Council supports and facilitates a variety of urban agriculture projects throughout Hyde Park/Woodlawn/Kenwood. For example, in 2007-08 the council helped the Woodlawn Center for Urban Ecology conduct research and planning around the development of an urban farm and identified a number of opportunities for community education. The council also beautified and expanded the native plants garden at the corner of 58th Street and Woodlawn Avenue.
Energy Efficiency
The council promotes energy conservation on campus through a number of initiatives. For example, in 2007-08 we sponsored the Battle of the Bulbs, a dorm-based competition to reduce electricity use, together with Green Campus Initiative. We also worked with Facilities Services and other campus entities to promote energy conservation and renewable energy purchasing.
Sustainable Purchasing
The council pursues a number of education initiatives to promote sustainable purchasing practices across campus. In 2007-08, for instance, the council led Greening Your Office workshops in collaboration with University Human Resources Management and provided information on sustainable catering and floral options to University event planners. We also encouraged sustainable practices at campus coffee shops and dining facilities.
Other Projects
The council has provided successful leadership on other activities as well. For example:
- Planned and implemented conferences, workshops, and internships that promote sustainability at the University and in the community at large.
- Supported campus-wide green initiatives organized by many committed individuals and small groups of students, staff, faculty, and other academics.
- Launched a new Sustainability website to better articulate and coordinate sustainability efforts on campus.
- Consolidated recommendations to improve sustainability on campus.