MBC Green

On February 22, 2008 a group of 11 faculty, staff, and students convened at the Spencer Center to talk about green projects at Mary Baldwin College. The purpose of the meeting was to bring all interested parties involved in green programming on campus together to inform each other of what each of their respective groups/departments are doing to make MBC green, and to decide on next steps for the greening of campus. With President Fox’s signing of the President’s Commitment to Climate Action/Change in September 2007, the group is moving forward with a carbon emissions study of MBC, and a subsequent plan to reduce carbon emissions. Work on this study will begin during summer 2008.

Here are a few of the green initiatives already in place on campus:

Community Vegetable Garden: The garden is directed by Dr. Carey Usher, faculty member and master gardener. Students, faculty, staff, and alumnae cleared the 20 by 30 foot plot located by the Adult Degree Program House in March and April, and planting began at the end of May. The garden includes onions, basil, eggplant, okra, pumpkins, cucumbers, peppers and much more! Those interested in helping out can visit our site at http://mbcgarden.wordpress.com, call 540-887-7181, or e-mail civicengagement@mbc.edu
Dining Services: MBC’s Dining Services currently has many earth-friendly programs, including Project Clean Plate and Project Green Thumb — programs that promote waste reduction and recycling.
Physical Plant: The physical plant has several types of recycling on campus, including aluminum, plastic, cardboard, and paper. They also work to make sure that new construction on campus is as green as possible — using LEED standards when possible.
Student Clubs and Organizations: The Student Government Association and MBC Earth are working together to begin large scale promotion of green efforts on campus—informing the student body is a sure way to have more students recycling and being mindful of the earth, both during their time at MBC and for the rest of their lives.