Sustainability hits the ground running

By Alisha Gorder

The revitalized Lewis & Clark Sustainability Council has continued its efforts to promote sustainability on campus. The Communication and Outreach Committee is working to increase the visibility of sustainability on campus in a variety of ways, says Dan Rohlf, Professor of Law and Of Counsel, Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center and Chair of the Council, through events, lectures and a general increase in information relating to sustainability. For example, the on-campus Sustainability webpage found through Facilities Services provides real-time energy use information for all buildings on campus.

The Learning Committee is aiming to encourage cooperation between the faculties of the three campuses, to integrate the many overlapping interests in sustainability and environmental issues that they have. The Council recently sponsored a faculty Sustainability mixer, which Rohlf described to have a speed-dating feel and served as “a really fun and effective” way of building connections between colleagues. He also said that the Learning Committee is looking to improve connections outside of the College and take advantage of the opportunities that Portland has to offer as one of the country’s most sustainable cities.

A current project of the Operations Committee is to work with the grounds department so that one portion of the campus will be cared for using completely organic methods. The Operations Committee is also working to achieve Salmon-Safe certification for the campus, an eco-label primarily concerned with watershed safety, according to Rohlf. The Council is beginning the certification process now and the campus should be certified within the year. The Council also hopes to integrate operations with learning by getting biology classes involved in Salmon-Safe. Rohlf says the Council hopes to increase the institution’s sustainability practices and decrease impact while using the process as a tool for learning.

The Council also provided each of the three schools with $500 for sustainability efforts chosen by the student government, which “enables and encourages student governments to work on issues or events surrounding sustainability,” says Rohlf. The Council has also contributed funding for the Take Back the Tap Initiative, which is concerned with minimizing the use and sale of bottled water.

The next Council meeting is at 7:30 a.m. on March 6 in the Law School faculty reading room.