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Bike to the Farm Potluck- October 3rd
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 The Center for Sustainable Communities is excited to host the first Bike to the Farm Potluck on Saturday, October 3rd. Students, faculty, and staff and their families are invited to join in for an evening of food, fellowship, and learning about Luther's sustainable food systems and initiatives. Guests are asked to meet with bikes in the parking lot behind Preus Library at 5pm, and will be led on the ~1 mile long bike ride to the college gardens. We ask that everyone bring a dish or food item to share with the other guests, as well as your own tableware. Please RSVP by filling out this Google form no later than Friday, October 2nd. Contact Energy and Waste Fellow Sam Pollan with any questions or inquiries. See you there!
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New AmeriCorps and FoodCorps members join the Center for Sustainable Communities
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The Center for Sustainable Communities is proud to welcome the new AmeriCorps and FoodCorps members partnering with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative. Cassie Panther and Molly Schintler have returned for a second year of service, and newcomers include Andrew Blair, Maria Marton, Amber Seitz, Kelly Wille, Rebekah Schulz ('14), and Elin Amundson. In their role they will link the Food and Fitness Initiative in 20 different schools, and assist the school wellness teams as they work together to deepen student, teacher and staff understanding about the benefits of growing and consuming local, healthy food and being physically active. To learn more, visit the NE Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative website, and read personal bios here. |
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Library solar panel installation nears completion
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 Luther's Center for Sustainable Communities has partnered again with Oneota Solar, LLC to install a 95-kilowatt solar array on the roof of Preus Library, as well as 726 kW in the form of two ground-mounted arrays behind the existing solar field on Pole Line Road. Although the solar panels were approved by the Board of Regents in February, the project has been in the works since December of 2014. While projected to save Luther College more than $1 million over the 25-year warrantied life of the panels, the project will also benefit Luther's utility provider Alliant Energy and the greater Decorah community. With the new project, Luther's overall footprint is projected to be reduced 5-6%. The installation of the arrays began this summer, and the final commissioning of the array is supposed to occur in late October. For more information on Luther's solar energy projects, visit the Renewable Energy webpage.
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Plant Giveaway Day puts greenery in student rooms, staff offices
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 Make sure your laundry is not only clean for you, but clean for the environment as well! Washing clothes in warm or hot water is highly energy inefficient and can shrink cotton and set stains. Next time you head down to the laundry room, make sure you choose the "bright colors" or "colors" setting to select a cold cycle wash.
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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.
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Tuesday, September 29th
Food, Purchasing and WasteTask Group meeting
3-4pm Valders 374
The Food, Purchasing and Waste Task Group is meeting to discuss initiatives related to Luther's local food and waste goals. All students and staff are welcome to attend. Read more
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Tuesday, September 29th
Energy and Water Task Group meeting
4-5pm Valders 374
The Energy and Waste Task Group is convening to discuss the role of biogas on campus and the implementation of a solar charging station. All students and staff are welcome to attend. Read more
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Thursday, October 1st
Gardening Series: Storing Vegetables Through the Winter
9:45-10:45am Valders 362
Regardless of whether or not you have a root cellar, there are many creative solutions for storing your homegrown vegetables so that you can enjoy them throughout the winter and spring. Registration for this class is required. Read more
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Thursday, October 1st
Sustainability Council meeting
4:15pm Mott Room
The Campus Sustainability Council is coming together for their second meeting this semester to discuss new policies and to hear from different task groups. Members of the campus community are welcome to attend. Read more
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Saturday, October 3rd
Bike to the Farm Potluck
5pm-9pm Parking lot behind Preus Library
Students, staff and faculty are invited to ride bikes to the college gardens for a night of food, fellowship, and learning about Luther's sustainable food initiatives. RSVP now
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| Jessica Skjonsby '17
Sustainability Educator |
Jessica is a junior Biology and Psychology major from Prior Lake, Minnesota. Jessica is serving a second year as a Sustainability Educator in Brandt Hall. While promoting and informing her fellow Residence Assistants and residents about initiatives and projects, she has also put on programs that have introduced students to the cool opportunities Decorah has to be sustainable. In the spring, Jessica led her floor on a Kuun Coffee tour, showing the impacts of local small businesses on the Luther community. Jessica serves as a Sustainability Educator because "there are so many opportunities within sustainability, and I want RA's to not only know about them, but to utilize them to their greatest potential."
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The Winneshiek County Recycling Department has work study positions for students interested in recycling, public education, or IT. Read more
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Drake University is seeking Iowa Community Health AmeriCorps Program members to serve as liaisons between a local community and the Healthiest State Initiative. Read more
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