Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.14
Liaison Jeff Spoelstra
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Western Michigan University
IN-26: Innovation C

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Isaac Green
Special Projects Coordinator
Office for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Permaculture Research and Demonstration Site

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

The Gibbs Site is home to the Gibbs House Fellowship and the Gibbs Permaculture Research and Demonstration Site. The site serves as a living laboratory for students to implement their sustainable design solutions and projects. Located on Parkview Avenue adjacent to Western Michigan University's College of Engineering and the expansive Asylum Lake Preserve, the site features a developing permaculture landscape full of resources and projects. Jobs on the site enable students to conduct research and implement projects throughout the year and has included black soldier fly larvae, post consumer food waste research and a compost hot water heater to heat our hoop houses in the past. Currently, the site maintains a vermicomposting demonstration, solar dehydrator, pollinator way-stations, a rainwater harvesting cistern and multiple hugelkultur beds.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Research
Campus Engagement
Grounds

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.