St. Olaf Environmental Coalition
Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:00 pm, Buntrock 143 Committees Page » Take Action! » Home »

Latest News & Events

» It's J-term!

» Gearing up for Energy Month - That's right! Again this year, in February, we will be hosting the Energy Month competition. This year the challenge has grown from a St. Olaf/Carleton event, to a Minnesota-wide competition to see who can reduce energy consumption the most. You can check out what other schools are doing here. To get involved in planning at St. Olaf come to the next EC meeting, Wednesday's at 7pm in Buntrock 143.

» The Recycled bikes program is just getting started and needs your help! Visit Green Machines to learn more.

» STOGROW - Check out the St. Olaf Student Farm at http://www.stolaf.edu/orgs/stogrow

Opportunities

There is always a lot going on at E.C., and the more partcipants the better! Below are current projects and programs for you to get involved in.

  • Eco Journalism- Write an article for the Manitou Messenger related to environmental topics. We need your help in presenting a wide range of information, ideas, topics, opinions, and styles. If interested, e-mail Willie (richardw@stolaf.edu)
  • Collect Caf. Dishes!- Please check your rooms and dorms for "borrowed" cafeteria dishes and return them ASAP - there is an extreme shortage of coffee cups!
  • Green Machine Free Bike Program- A program to provide free bikes for use by students. We are in need of volunteer bike mechanics and donations of parts, helmets, locks, bikes and tools. Contact Dan (borekd@stolaf.edu) for more information.
  • Trash/Recycling Can I.D.- Check your dormitory recycling bins for proper signs and identification. If missing or damaged notify your hall A.C. with location of the bin.
  • Collect Used Computer Paper- Scavenge through your dorm computer lounge and nearby academic labs for paper used only on one side. We will RE-use the paper for signs and our next round of eco-notebooks. Bring paper to the next meeting.
  • Reusable Lunch Bags- Do you have sewing skills, a sewing machine, or used fabric? We need your help! E.C. needs volunteers to provide fabric and/or sew our reusable lunch bags. Drop off fabric (old clothes work great!) at the E.C. meeting. Contact Mary (sotos@stolaf.edu) to get involved.

Upcoming Projects

The Environmental Coalition is constantly brewing new ideas for events, speakers, projects, and education. Here are some of the things to be looking for in the coming months.

  • First-year environmental awareness presentations at corridor meetings. Contact Willie (richardw@stolaf.edu) for more information.
  • Elementary Environmental Education- An opportunity to share environmental knowledge and fun with the "future generation". Contact Willie (richardw@stolaf.edu) for more information.
  • Green Machine Free Bike Program- A program to provide free bikes for use by students. We are in need of volunteer bike mechanics and donations of parts, helmets, locks, bikes and tools. Contact Dan (borekd@stolaf.edu) for more information.
Bluebird
A campus resident.

About Us

Mission Statement: The St. Olaf Environmental Coalition is a student-run organization that seeks to cultivate and defend greater ecological concern. We examine and amend the complexities of our lives, beginning with our own campus and extending outward through the concentric circles of the communities in which we live, ultimately arriving at a global perspective. We recognize the depth of our interconnections with all life around us, and practice environmental advocacy that is discursive and consensus-based, uniting rather than dividing our human community in the common pursuit of a more beautiful and flourishing planet.

Earth
Simply beautiful.

Links

At St. Olaf:

In Northfield:

Beyond:

Archives:

Online Environmental Activism:

Campus Initiatives

  • Composting: This fall celebrated the implementation of a new industrial composter for all food waste on campus.
  • Peace Coffee: St. Olaf serves fair trade, organic Peace Coffee in the cafeteria and at the Cage.
  • Green Science: Plans are underway for a new science center that incorporates LEED certified green architecture, and a new green chemistry program.
  • Campus Ecology: A class in practical idealism.
  • STOGROW: St. Olaf Garden Research and Organic Works - a student-run organic community farm.
  • Wind Energy: St. Olaf's plan for a wind turbine and the construction of a wind monitoring tower.
  • Wind Energy 2: More Information.
  • Natural Lands: The Natural Lands are an important part of the St. Olaf experience, and the Environmental Coalition helps with the dirty work whenever possible.