Sustainable Campus Culture

Programs & Clubs

Community Garden

Started in the spring of 2011, the community garden originated by request of students, faculty and staff, as was approved by President Finney with support of the Physical Plant Grounds Staff. The community garden is located beside Rowell Annex and has 27 plots available for individual use by Champlain college community members.
2011 Garden Information and Registration Form

Eco-Reps Program

In the fall of 2011, Champlain College launched an Eco-Reps Program in our residence halls. This program trains student leaders who model and promote environmentally responsible behaviors in the residence halls by educating their peers. This is a paid position (you do not have to be work study eligible), but you must live in a Champlain College residence hall to be an Eco-Rep. For more information and an application, go to the Eco-Reps pages. A program of Sustain Champlain, Residential life, and Physical Plant.

Environmental Club

This student club, an official club of the Student Government Association, was formed in 2007 by students who wanted to be engaged in campus projects and to further the culture of sustainability across Champlain. Club members accomplish this through awareness, service, advocacy, and fun. The Environmental Club is advised by the Sustainaiblity Director and the Environmental Policy Program Director.

Past activities include: documentary film series, trip to Biodome and Biosphere in Montreal, and trail work on the Catamount Trail

Meetings || Mondays 8:30pm, Ireland 206
Contact: Lauren Swanson '11 or Rebecca Carlson '14

Activities & events

For current events, please see the calendar on our home page.

Speakers

We sponsor and collaborate on bringing speakers to campus whose topics range from local foods to climate change to environmental justice.

Past events include:

Spring 2011 Environmental Policy Speakers Series including: Tom Gebhard, Managing Director of Inspirra Energy and Principal Advisor at Neptune Wind; Kesha Ram, Vermont State Representative; Brian Tokar, Director of the Institute of Social Ecology
The Wisdom of Small Farms and Local Food with John E. Caroll, Professor, Environmental Conservation, University of New Hampshire
Green Grass and High Tides: Hope, Joy, and Opportunity within a New Green Economy, a panel of professors, farmers, and green engineers
Focus the Nation Kick-off Event with author Bill McKibben

Kill-a-Watt Challenge

The aim of this challenge is to raise student awarenss regarding electricity conservation in Champlain College residence halls (and beyond!). Learn more about this annual challenge, which is a collaborative project between Sustain Champlain and Residential Life.

LEAD

We create connections between our projects and the Life Experience & Action Dimension (LEAD) program by developing proposals for student participation. See current LEAD opportunities here.

Past examples include:

Light bulb swap assistance
Residence Hall captains for the Consumption Junktion energy challenge
Participation in the Champlain College delegation to the bi-annual PowerShift student conference

Communications & Outreach

We communicate through a variety of means:

Regular e-bulletins with announcements, upcoming events, and opportunities. Subscribe here.
Find us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Blogspot.
Go Green: Your College Guide to Living Sustainably -- offers tips and resources in waste reduction, energy conservation, transportation, conscious consumption, and more.
Prsesentations and guest lectures -- for classes, student organizations, or departments. Contact us with your request. Example: Greening Your Workplace

Community connections

We partner with a number of community organizations to further enhance the culture of sustainability.

Burlington Legacy Project
The Sustainability Director is a member of the Legacy Project steering committee that works together on initiatives ranging from business development to transportation to housing and environmental health, to ensure a thriving city for our children and our children's children.

Burlington Wike/Bike Council
The Sustainability Director is a member of the BWBC steering committee, which works on improving the infrastructure and culture of bicycles and pedestrians in Burlington and on campus.

Community Coalition
We collaborate with the Community Coalition on some projects, especially the annual Spring Move Out Project.

Intervale Food Hub
Champlain is a drop-off site for the Intervale Food Hub CSA.