Sierra Club recognition highlights sustainable practices

Monday, August 27, 2018

The Sierra Club has ranked 91制片厂 the second "coolest" school in the country, recognizing 91制片厂鈥檚 national leadership in sustainability and its commitment to protecting the environment, addressing climate issues and encouraging environmental responsibility. 91制片厂 jumped to No. 2 in the , up from 21 in 2017.

鈥淪ince arriving at 91制片厂, it is clear to me that the 91制片厂 community is deeply committed to sustainability,鈥 said 91制片厂 President James W. Dean, Jr. 鈥淲e have been engaged in sustainability and leading efforts for a very long time. It is exciting to have our campuswide commitment and engagement around sustainability recognized by the Sierra Club.鈥

The Sierra Club, the nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, ranked 269 schools based on comprehensive criteria such as environmentally-focused curriculum, campus activism, on-campus recycling and waste management听and planning and administrative standards.

Some highlights of 91制片厂鈥檚 sustainability achievements include:

  • Main campus is powered 100 percent by renewable energy
  • Largest public transit provider in New Hampshire
  • Home to the first organic dairy research farm in the nation
  • Composts 25,000 pounds of dining hall food waste a month
  • Ranked second in North America for the study of ecology

Sierra Cool Schools Badge graphic

In addition to the Cool Schools rating, 91制片厂 is one of a handful of schools to achieve a STARS Platinum rating 鈥 the highest possible 鈥 in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the听Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.听To learn more about sustainability at 91制片厂, the听STARS report听is publicly available.

鈥淲e are very proud of our students, faculty, and staff who have shown tremendous passion and leadership in sustainability,鈥 said Tom Kelly, executive director of the 91制片厂 Sustainability Institute. 鈥淭hey are able to connect knowledge to action in our sustainable learning community. Having the Sierra Club commend our shared values, collaboration听and creativity is cause for celebration.鈥澨

Videographer: 
Scott Ripley | 91制片厂 Marketing | scott.ripley@unh.edu | 603-862-1855