I’ve been working with the Planet Blue Ambassador program for about six months now, and one of the most commonly asked questions I receive is, “How can I impact sustainability on campus or at home as an individual?” Across the university, sustainability professionals provide outlets for individuals to get involved in campus sustainability through co-curricular student engagement programs and workplace … Read More
Reimagining architecture with the natural environment in mind. Translating the dense, complex federal funding process for local governments. Researching the social implications of carbon offsets. These are a few projects and passions of students who received a special set of cords during University of Michigan’s 2023 spring commencement for their dedication to sustainability. Since 2020, students engaged in sustainability activities … Read More
Since 2019, in addition to running the Planet Blue Ambassador program, I have had the opportunity, challenge, and joy of co-advising the Student Sustainability Coalition (SSC). For those of you less familiar with the multitude of sustainability programs at the University of Michigan, SSC is a group of undergraduate and graduate students who aim to amplify the student voice on … Read More
The Michigan League has been a part of my life since before I was born. Back in the 1980s, when my dad came to visit his grandparents in Ann Arbor, they would sometimes eat lunch at the League buffet— this was before the dawn of Maizie’s Cafe. My Nana would always order the prime rib and mashed potatoes, her favorite … Read More
I recently had the opportunity to tag along with Nicole Berg, a program manager with the Office of Campus Sustainability (OCS), on one of her routine compost site contamination checks. During this check, we were able to visit the WeCare compost site where all of the compost from the university (and the city of Ann Arbor!) is disposed. To be … Read More
Have you ever wanted to get involved with sustainability on campus, but felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of sustainability-related clubs and organizations? Or maybe you know your way around PitE Club, but you still want to learn about more sustainability clubs? Either way, take this quiz about your favorite spots on campus, and we’ll give you a susty club … Read More
When I was in high school, I was terrified of driving on the freeway and absolutely dreaded taking my driver’s test. The day I finally passed that test, I celebrated by driving the hour from Detroit to the Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor. I spent that afternoon sitting along the Huron River, eating fruit on a picnic blanket, and watching … Read More
Everyday we utilize tools and resources that are essential to our daily lives without offering them much thought. We drink water from our kitchen tap, run a bath, and wash our clothes without considering the origins or processes of the water that fuel our day-to-day necessities. However, while working at the University of Michigan (U-M) Farm Stand one day, our … Read More
The time to start thinking about what to pack for college is here! Whether you are a new student or returning, knowing the absolute essentials of what to bring can be a godsend. It can be easy to buy items “just in case” for the school year, trying to imagine something you will presumably need in every situation. However, I’ve … Read More
As the effects of climate change continue to increase in frequency, all organizations must undertake mitigation measures in order to sufficiently prepare for what lies ahead. The Environmental Protection and Permitting group within the U-M Environment, Health, & Safety (EHS) Department is responsible for managing U-M’s state-issued stormwater discharge permit and for helping to prepare our campus for future extreme … Read More
