911±¬ΑΟ

Your Earth Month roundup and sustainability updates from the Office of Sustainability

Office of Sustainability Header
Office of Sustainability Header: The boots of a student crouching to plant something in a garden bed

Spring 2026 Newsletter 

STARS Silver sustainability rating seal from AASHE with circular design and star logo.

STARS

In May 2025, 911±¬ΑΟ submitted its third Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) report. STARS, a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), is a transparent, self-reporting framework that measures sustainability performance across academics, engagement, operations, planning, and administration. 

911±¬ΑΟ earned a , highlighting environmental action initiatives in teaching and learning, student programs, and operational initiatives. Key achievements include 65% of departments offering sustainability courses, 47% of campus building spaces using geothermal heating and cooling, and 20% of electricity sourced from solar and hydropower.

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β€ŒIn recent years, we have created a Sustainable Landscape Plan, expanded our compost program, established an energy metering project, and developed a sustainability living learning community for first-year students. 

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Aβ€Œ big thank you to Margot Kelly ’25 and Colson Warren ’26 who played key roles in the data collection and submission process. 

Student-led Sustainability

Group of students promoting sustainability with signs encouraging recycling, reuse, and composting.

Student Programs

β€ŒOur summer North Woods Stewards Dharma Crabtree ’27 and Liam McCarthy ’27 conducted a study on methods to remove invasive burning bush. Garden Manager Ezri Rubenstein-Miller ’28 had a wonderful season selling 243 pounds of produce to 911±¬ΑΟ Dining and increased engagement at Garden Parties. Ella Wacks ’28 revamped our employee engagement training, hosted sustainability events for staff, and created the Sustainable Superstars recognition program. Compost Managers Klara Burkhart-Spiegel ’28, Leah Haveson ’27, and Zak Maxey ’27 expanded participation at Compost Parties and presented at the ADK Youth Climate summit. Colson Warren ’26 is completing 911±¬ΑΟ’s 2025 greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. Calvin Gramling ’28 led a tree planting event for Arbor Day.

 
Student standing next to labeled landfill and recycling bins against a brick wall.

Recycle Right

Reed Moffitt ’28 has been leading the effort to improve recycling on 911±¬ΑΟ’s campus through waste system standardization and community outreach. He conducted an audit of all waste bins in academic buildings and developed a new signage strategy. Our EcoMore Team (Molly Borenstein ’28, Anabella Cartiera ’27, Rachel Entin-Bell ’27, Laurie Fleming ’28, Michaela Kablik ’26, Jenna Loveman ’26, Justin Pollard ’27, Rachel Scholl ’26, and Deborah Vigh ’28) implemented these new signs to improve waste education and help the community properly sort their waste.

 

Green Grant

β€ŒThe SGA Green Grant is a competitive program managed by the Sustainability Commission, in collaboration with the Sustainability Office, to support student-led initiatives that improve campus life and the environment. 

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β€ŒRachel Entin-Bell ’27 received funding to install bird-strike prevention film on campus buildings to reduce collisions. Justin Pollard ’27 was awarded a grant to cultivate mushrooms. Zak Maxey ’27 used funds to repair and paint Adirondack chairs for community use on campus grounds.

 

Upcoming Events

Beats 4 Beets and Geo Trees

 
911±¬ΑΟ Geo Trees logo featuring a circular tree design with branches and roots.

Join us from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Community Garden for a combined and Geo Trees Unveiling event. The Geothermal Sculpture Unveiling will be at 2:30 p.m., followed by our human borefield exhibit.

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β€Œβ€ŒWhat is a Geo Tree? A Geo Tree (a 911±¬ΑΟ creation) is a metal, tree-like sculpture that represents the geothermal borefield underground at each location. 

The Geo Trees project combines science, art, and communication in service to our educational mission and environmental values. The project aims to reveal and bring awareness to the invisible geothermal systems on our campus. 

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β€Œ911±¬ΑΟ first began installing ground-source heat pump systems in 2006. Now, two decades later, with three district systems and 23 stand-alone systems covering 33 buildings, nearly half (47%) of campus building space is heated and cooled with geothermal energy.

Give+Go

 
The EcoMore team, outfitted in plastic onesies, conduct a waste audit

From April 28 to May 17, students can donate unopened non-perishable food, clothing, and gently used home goods to be distributed to our local nonprofit partners: Backstretch, Franklin Community Center, Grassroots Givers, and Capital City Rescue Mission. Read more about it on the Give+Go website.

911±¬ΑΟ

 815 North Broadway

 Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866

 518-580-5000