Bowling Green State University
EN-3: Student Life
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Reporter |
Student groups
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Environmental Service Club
Environmental Service Club is a club for those who are interested in serving and learning about the environment. Provides hands-on field experience for those who like to work outside. They have two meetings every month (every other Wednesday) from 6:00 - 6:45PM in Eppler Complex C220. Service activities and fieldwork will be conducted throughout the year in moderation. The purpose of this organization is to organize students to aid in both on and off-campus environmental community service projects.
Environmental Action Group
Established in 1977, EAG is a student-led organization at BGSU engaged in impactful environmental, social, and political activism. Through the organization of initiatives, events, and projects geared toward sustainability advocacy, community empowerment, environmental mindfulness, and social/political justice, EAG strives to promote a better future for BG and the world as a whole. "Take Action Today for a Better Tomorrow!" is their motto.
Outdoor Adventure Club
Our mission statement is to create both awareness and appreciation of the outdoors for the members, and while doing so, connect with others, engage in new activities, explore the nature around us, and provide education for the community. Their monthly meetings take place at the BGSU Rec Center climbing wall, and everyone will have a chance to climb. We plan several activities outside our normal meeting time including (but not limited to) hammocking, slacklining, yard games, and local hiking.
BG Beekeeping Club
The Bowling Green Beekeeping Club or BGBC is a club of BGSU students who are dedicated to learning & keeping bees. Established on 6 October 2023, this organization is dedicated and devoted to educating citizens of today to save beekeeping for tomorrows future. This is a club whose goal is to educate the public on the importance of honeybees and other pollinators, while also helping to give back to these pollinators by learning the practice of keeping bees. This is a club that has a $40 annual membership fee to help pay for equipment.
Topsoil BG
Topsoil BG is a service-based organization created to encourage the education of sustainability and botanicals through the resources we can create/provide in ways that will serve to be beneficial to personal and public health. The idea of environmental advocacy is also a component students within this organization will learn to express through the use of knowledge gained from the various service opportunities presented. members of this organization will meet at least two times a month in addition to volunteer service events planed during that time. No dues are collected and attendance to this organizations events are optional for general body members. Founded in Fall 2024, this club has impressed our Office so far with their level of growth and engagement of students. They have taken over EcoBricking from the Undergraduate Student Government President as well.
Gardens and farms
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
BGSU has a community garden located on campus. A number of different areas collaborate in the preparation, planting and distribution of the produce from this initiative. The BGSU Community Garden (10 raised beds) is located on the east side of the Fine Arts Building. BGSU students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to pick produce as soon as it is ready to enjoy. All excess produce will be given to the Falcon Food Pantry. It is maintained over the summer by the student interns that manage the Falcon Food Pantry and the seedlings are prepared in the spring by the Chapman Learning Community.
Through the partnership, the zoo and BGSU will increase the production of native plants on 14 acres of land on the University’s campus along Poe Road near Mercer Road. Students will have expanded opportunities to learn valuable, real-world skills in habitat restoration, plant nursery management and small business management.
BGSU, Toledo Zoo partner to expand Wild Toledo conservation program
Student-run enterprises
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Sustainable investment and finance
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
The Student Green Initiatives Fund was created by students to fund sustainability projects on campus. The overall mission of the Student Green Fee is to minimize the environmental impact of BGSU by supporting Green initiatives and educational projects that can be proposed and decided on by students. It is funded by an opt-out $5.00 per semester fee and is only accessible to current undergraduate and graduate students. To date, close to $2 million of sustainability projects have been funded on campus, with an impact of reducing waste, reducing emissions or incorperating sustainable education.
Student Green Initiatives Fund
See the first article in the Summer 2024 Newsletter for an overview of recent Green Fund approved projects:
Events
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
Keynote Speaker for Campus Sustainability Month, October 2024:
Dr. Andrew Hoffman from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and Sustainable Enterprise came to BGSU to give a seminar based on his book, "How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate". We gave away 20 copies of his books at the conclusion of his presentation. His seminar synthesized evidence from sociology, psychology and political science to make a case for a more scientifically informed public and socially engaged scientific community. We had 44 attendees - a variety of students, faculty and staff came. It was a great collaboration between BGSU and the University of Michigan.
Symposium on Sustainability (SoS):
For the past 3 semesters, Undergraduate Student Government and the Office of Campus Sutainability have co-hosted the Symposium on Sustainability to convene various sustainability focused and sustainability adjacent organizations for a night of tabling and a guided focus group discussion on the climate of sustainability at BGSU.
Symposium on Sustainability - Bowling Green State University
During Earth Month 2024, the Office of Campus Sustainbility sponsored a panel discussion with representative from 7 different schools of thought. Titled "Sustainability and Storytelling", the panel discussed the comprehensive narratives that sustainability entails. Representation was from
Cultural arts
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
At the 2nd annual TEDxBGSU, Dr. Jonathan Kershaw gave a sustainability-focused TED Talk. "Potlucks bring together a variety of dishes around the common goal of feeding a community. Likewise, diverse contributions and inclusive approaches are needed to create a more sustainable global food system. Although inviting change on an issue as complex and even polarizing as sustainability is challenging, message framing and consideration of different values can influence food choices. Inviting diverse solutions and perspectives to the sustainability conversation will help feed our global community."
What Potlucks Teach Us About Food Sustainability | Jonathan Kershaw | TEDxBGSU - YouTube
Wilderness and outdoors programs
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
OAC
ENVS 4930
BGAB
Sustainability-focused themes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Last Institution-wide Common Read program on main campus was in 2019. It had a sustainability focus on clean drinking water. "What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City" was the 2019 Common Read for BGSU-Main Campus and Firelands. Hear from Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, widely recognized as the whistle-blower who forced the state of Michigan to acknowledge toxic levels of lead in Flint’s water supply, and has been the voice of the children of Flint throughout the crisis. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, BBC and countless other media outlets championing the cause of public health and encouraging others to join her in providing assistance to Flint’s residents.
Common Read Presentation: Dr. Mona Hanna Attisha - Bowling Green State University
Sustainable life skills
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Student employment opportunities
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Internships are available every academic year for students interested in working on sustainability initiatives in a paid, part-time position. While students studying the environment and sustainability (majors in Environmental Science and Environmental Policy & Analysis) would be ideal candidates, these positions are open to students in any major field of study with an interest in and passion for sustainability. Internships can be created for special initiatives at the Sustainability Manager’s discretion based on the needs of Campus Sustainability and the interests of the applicant.
Graduation pledge
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
Optional Fields
New for Fall 2023 was the Green Falcon Pledge! The Office of Campus Sustainability invites every Falcon to pledge to sustainable lifestyle practices this semester, and the pledge is a simple way to say you're committed to living green. Select the options that you might already do or the new ideas you find in the Green Falcon Pledge. Everyone will receive a digital certificate in their email upon the submission of their response. You can access the pledge on the Campus Sustainability main page: https://www.bgsu.edu/campus-sustainability.html, by scrolling down and selecting the button that says "Take the Green Falcon Pledge".
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.