September 15, 2014

At Luther, we hold ourselves to a high standard when it comes to sustainability-in fact, we consider it part of our mission. We recognize that sustainability goes hand in hand with a just, equitable, and prosperous society. We work hard not only to green our campus practices but also to teach students through academic courses and campus life that creating a sustainable society is a responsibility that falls to each of us. As we dive in to the new academic year, we will continue to tackle issues ranging from renewable energy to sustainable food systems to land management, and many more! The Center for Sustainable Communities invites you to engage in these issues with us as we continue to make Luther a more sustainable place and serve as a leader in campus sustainability nationwide.

Edible gardens open to students and faculty for fall harvesting

The majority of students may have left for the summer break, but our gardeners stayed on campus to make sure that the edible landscapes stayed in top condition! In front of Valders Hall of Science and behind Ylvisaker Hall, the edible landscapes are full of tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, chard, herbs, eggplant and more! Anybody is welcome to take what they would like- just be sure to close the gate to keep out the critters!

The goal of Luther's edible landscapes is to demonstrate the beauty of diverse vegetables and edible flowers and to reconnect people with food plants. Luther's first edible landscape garden is located near Valders and was the result of a student-initiated project for an environmental philosophy class. The success of the first garden led to the creation of the edible landscape located behind Ylvisaker Hall.

Improved recycling program begins in Brandt Hall

This summer, the Center for Sustainable Communities received a $1,000 grant from the Winneshiek County Area Solid Waste Agency, which was used to purchase personal recycling bins for all rooms in Brandt Hall for the 2014-15 school year. All bins come with large stickers outlining recycling guidelines, and students are responsible for transporting their collected recyclables to larger, outdoor recycling receptacles located next to Brandt.The need for personal recycling bins was determined after a 2011 waste audit revealed that 45.9% of the waste in the Brandt dumpster was non-landfill material, meaning it should have either been recycled or composted. Subsequent focus groups and surveys revealed that a 'lack of convenience' was preventing many Brandt residents from recycling, even if they understood recycling guidelines. Over a period of 10 months, this program is estimated to divert approximately 3,722 pounds of materials from the landfill. If successful, the program will likely be implemented in other Residence Halls on campus.

Students called to join National Wildlife Federation's EcoLeaders Initiative

The National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology program has been

working with colleges and universities for more than 25 years to protect wildlife and habitat through campus sustainability efforts. This summer, they launched the NWF EcoLeaders Initiative; an online community that offers students the space to create, share, be recognized for their leadership efforts and for sustainability projects and campaigns. Many Luther students have already joined the EcoLeaders community, and are extending the invitation for other interested students to join! Anybody who is interested in learning about other campus sustainability projects or starting their own is encouraged to create a free profile on the EcoLeaders Initiative Website.

Connect with us on Social Media!

Looking for other ways to stay connected with Luther Sustainability? Check us out on our various social media sites!

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Sustainability Tip

Forgot to purchase school supplies or in need of different materials for class? Check out the Center for Sustainable Communities' Reused Supply Closet! Room 364 in Valders is filled with new and used binders, notebooks, and other materials that are free for student and faculty use! The closet it open from 8-5 during weekdays. Have any leftover supplies that you don't need? Drop them by the closet so someone else can use them and they don't go to the landfill!

This newsletter is provided by the Center for Sustainable Communities, which coordinates all sustainability initiatives at Luther College. The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region. For more information on sustainability initiatives at Luther and the outreach work of the Center for Sustainable Communities, please visit: www.luther.edu/sustainability.

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 15th-Seed Saving Class

12:15-1:15pm Valders 362

Seeds can be expensive. Have you ever thought about saving your own? Join Seed Savers staff for an hour-long session on

which varieties are easiest to save and the best methods for properly processing and storing seed. Please register online

Tuesday, September 23th- Lunch in a Jar Cooking Class

12-1pm Valders 379

Oneota Coop's Johanna Bergen will be teaching a class on jar lunches, pre-made meals transported in a versatile, reusable mason jar that costs no more than a dollar and will leave you satisfied to power through your afternoon. Please register online

Saturday, September 27th- Food, Faith and Climate Workshop

10am-2:30pm Baker Commons

Join the discussion on how our food system contributes to climate change and what faith traditions have to say about sustainable food systems. To learn more and to register, visit the website

Tuesday, September 30th- Dee Williams Presentation

6:30-9pm Valders 206

Portland Alternative Dwelling's Dee Williams is giving a presentation on her experience with micro-homesteading in Washington, and how her tiny house is making a big different. Open to students and community members. Read more

Faculty Spotlight

Jon Jensen

Director, Center for Sustainable Communities

Jon Jensen is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities and a faculty member in Environmental Studies and Philosophy. He provides oversight to all areas of sustainability at Luther as well as working to expand the Center's outreach to the community and region. Jensen works to promote sustainability in the curriculum at Luther, in the Midwest, and throughout the country and teaches courses on Environmental Philosophy, Food and the Environment, Environmental Leadership, Sustainable Food Systems and Sustainable Communities. To read more about Jensen's involvement and research, check out his full bio.

Jobs/Opportunities

Farm Marketing Specialist- Lutheran Services of Iowa

Lutheran Services of Iowa Refugee Community Services is currently looking to hire a Farm Marketing Specialist for the Global Greens program based out of Des Moines.

Information Technology Support- University of Wisconsin- Madison

The Community and Regional Food System project through the University of Wisconsin-Madison is currently accepting applications for an information technology support position. Read More

Editorial Internship- The Lexicon of Sustainability

The Lexicon of Sustainability is looking for three media saavy candidates to be an integral part of the Food List, a weekly cross-media messaging campaign that will unite our food movement. Read More

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