| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.20 |
| Liaison | Jessica Thompson |
| Submission Date | June 20, 2024 |
Northern Michigan University
IN-16: Green Athletics
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.25 / 0.50 |
Jessica
Thompson AVP Sustainability People Culture & Wellbeing |
Does the institution’s green athletics program include the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| Zero waste and/or carbon neutral athletic events | Yes |
| A stadium or arena certified under a green building rating system | No |
| A sustainable food and beverage purchasing program that includes athletic event vendors and concessions | No |
| A program to minimize the sustainability impacts of turf management (e.g., by installing low input turfgrass or environmentally preferable artificial turf) | Yes |
| A program to support more sustainable transportation options for athletic events | --- |
| Community engagement efforts, e.g. to educate students and fans/supporters about the institution’s sustainability initiatives | Yes |
| An athletic team certification program | No |
A brief description of the institution’s green athletics program:
Green Athletics Strategy
Strategic Goal: Make NMU Athletics the greenest in the GLIAC
For NMU Athletics to be the greenest in the GLIAC, we must coordinate efforts on two fronts: (1) education and outreach, and (2) in operations. There are several initiatives that will help us reach our goal, a few can be completed quickly and with little-to-no resources; other efforts are longer term and will require more investment of funds and time. This initial strategy provides a sequential guide to get NMU Athletics moving in the right direction. (FULL STRATEGY ATTACHED).
In 2023 NMU reduced the size of the hockey ice area to conserve energy and reduce ice maintenance costs. In 2024 NMU replaced the turn in the Dome (https://nmu.edu/superiordome) with a high quality artificial turf.
Also in 2024 the Athletics Department adopted a "Green Athletics Strategy" and created the Green Athletics Council with representation from every team.
Example of Zero Waste Hockey Game effort:
The competition was on and off the ice this year at the NMU vs. MTU men's hockey game on December 2, 2022. At these rivalry home games NMU hosted a Zero Waste Challenge. All game attendees visited the zero waste stations to sort their trash items into trash, compost or recycling. In partnership with Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority, everything collected that is possible will be composted and/or recycled therefore diverting as many materials as possible from the landfill. By hosting this event, the NMU Sustainability Advisory Council desires to encourage the NMU campus and local community to create less waste and a positive impact for the future. The Sustainability Advisory Council's long-term goal is to create a lasting impact on the university where sustainability becomes a part of our campus culture and identity.
Website URL where information about the green athletics program is available:
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