Easy Being Green this Labor Day Weekend
Aug. 22, 2009 -- "Living Green" has the momentum of a boulder tumbling down a mountain. Western's Residence Life and the Environmental Studies department will be harnessing that momentum for the students after our college's first week of classes.
Green Labor Day Weekend Challenge
The event is the Green Labor Day Weekend Challenge.
Janice Lung, Director of Residence Life has spearheaded the challenge. "The goal of this weekend is three fold," she said.
"To provide living and learning opportunities geared around issues of sustainability and the natural diversity of the Gunnison Valley. To encourage students, faculty and staff to stay in the Gunnison Valley throughout the Labor Day weekend, and to introduce the Western Community to the President's Climate Commitment (PCC)."
Events will take place from Fri. Aug. 29 - Mon. Sept. 1. They include an open house tour of Kelley Hall, the newly renovated home for Environmental Studies and Behavioral and Social Sciences (BASS) departments. The state of the art building that will be LEED (Leadership and Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certified.
President Jay Helman will be speaking on the PCC, a commitment that requires Western reduces its C02 emissions 80% by 2050.
Additionally there will be culinary delights by award winning Chef Jon Coady using locally grown ingredients, a bike tour of sustainable homes, Wilderness Pursuits trips to various outdoor areas, living green workshops, and various service projects.
Story by: Luke Mehall, assistant director of public relations
