Overall Rating Reporter
Overall Score
Liaison Andreas Wolfram
Submission Date Dec. 10, 2021

STARS v2.2

Ringling College of Art and Design
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Tammy Walsh
Dean of Students
Student Life
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
Orange Blossom Community Garden

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership?:
Sustainability-focused

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability:

Orange Blossom Community Garden has been a community partner for more than 10 years. The College has supported and partnered with the Garden in myriad ways during this time. Students have planted and maintained their own plots during many growing seasons, and helped neighbors do the same. Campus members have volunteered through out the years during frequent garden days, both large- and small-scale. Each year, the garden hosts a large group of incoming students during our New Student Orientation Day of Service. The group size has ranged from 50-100 people who plant, water, weed, build, maintain, and assist with countless garden tasks. The Garden is frequently a partner site for the MLK Day of Service and our Local Alternative Spring Break, and smaller groups report to the garden each month to serve as needed. For each of these projects, community and garden leaders determine how our students can serve in the most meaningful way- for all parties- and educate our students about the need and purpose of the garden, and how this valuable resource serves the neighborhood by providing a free, accessible source for fresh and organic produce.

The partnership extends to Sunshine Community Compost, who also operates at the garden. This program helps reduce food waste and provides compost for garden plots. Students help maintain the compost beds.


Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
Sarasota County Parks and Recreation

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
Sustainability-focused

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (2nd partnership):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):

This local government organization has partnered to host several large groups during New Student Orientation every year, ranging from 20-75 students. Student volunteers help maintain the health of local ecosystems by removing debris, invasive species removal, and planting native species that help each environment thrive by working towards a healthy marine environment, and food and shelter for native animals.


Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
Transition SRQ

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Sustainability-focused

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (3rd partnership):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):

Transition SRQ partners with farms and producers in Manatee and Sarasota counties to glean, or harvest, excess fresh produce to donate to our area food banks. The Suncoast Gleaning Project provides local, nutritious food to diverse populations, supports local farms with a tax deduction for donated produce, and builds community by uniting volunteers with an interest in local, sustainable food. Through the Lazarus Engaged Learning Assistant ship, students partner with the organization by assisting the organization with the creation of marketing materials and helping them promote and organize their large events.


A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s community partnerships to advance sustainability is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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