February 28, 2018
SIU hosting spring First Friday Green Tours
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Carbondale is becoming greener and more sustainable every day and a series of special tours offers a glimpse into the myriad of ways.
The First Friday Green Tours are underway and the next one is Friday. Everyone is welcome to participate in the tours, which begin at noon at the Sustainability Hub, located on the main level of the Student Center.
Future tour dates are April 6 and May 4. No reservations or registration required.
Tours provide introduction to SIU sustainability
“The First Friday Green Tours are a great introduction to SIU Sustainability,” Geory Kurtzhals, SIU sustainability coordinator, said. “Participants see green fee-funded projects and other sustainability-minded initiatives on campus. They also have the opportunity to interact with Sustainability Office team members and discuss their own green ideas for campus.”
Highlights of the tour include visits to the vertical garden and the rooftop garden, both located at the Agriculture Buildings, as well as a bike fixit station, a solar-powered picnic table and more.
The tours are funded by the $10 per semester Student Green Fee, enacted as the result of a student-led and approved initiative. Most of the initiatives featured on the tour also have been funded in full or in part by the SIU Green Fund.
Getting involved
There are a number of ways people can get involved in the quest for a more sustainable campus. The Saluki Green Action Team is a gateway for getting involved with sustainability. Anyone can join for free and participants can win “sustainable” prizes.
SIU is also again participating in the national RecycleMania competition and benchmarking event continuing through the end of March.
SIU has joined other institutions of higher learning in reporting their recycling, composting and waste statistics for an eight-week period, with ranks determined accordingly. Kurtzhals said SIU’s goal is to increase recycling and reduce waste.
Learn more about SIU’s nationally recognized sustainability efforts at www.sustainability.siu.edu, by emailing sustainability@siu.edu or by calling 618/453-2846.