The Importance of Sustainability on the University of Findlay Campus
With more than 200 acres of "campus," including two farms and a 54-acre Center for Habitat Studies, University of Findlay recognizes the social and economic value of sustainable practices.
UF's Sustainability Highlights:
- NRG Energy, Inc. recognized UF with an Excellence in Energy Award in 2021 for achieving excellent outcomes and savings through new technologies, solutions and upgrades. UF was one of just four organizations in the United States recognized in this award category!
- UF was awarded a recycling grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021 as part of the Recycle Ohio Grant Program, which is being used to improve convenience and education of campus recycling through a new partnership with Rumpke Waste & Recycling and its co-mingled recycling processing approach.
- The University received national recognition with the
Tree Campus USA designation for the fifth consecutive year in 2020 from the Arbor Day Foundation.
- In 2019, UF obtained a significant grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to build a raingarden, which will help prevent stormwater runoff. An ongoing partnership between UF and the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership has led to this collaborative project.
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UF's Oiler Energy Program makes the entire campus more efficient and sustainable by reducing energy consumption, lowering costs, and limiting environmental impact. These goals are being met by converting lighting from compact fluorescent lights to LED, updating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanical systems, and implementing new HVAC controls. This process began in 2019.
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Our Green Davis Street Building - Construction of a major addition to the Davis Street Building in 2012 incorporated energy-saving features such as a geothermal heating and cooling system, computerized light sensors and refillable water bottle stations (just to name a few). This energy-efficient addition even won a global award from The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning in 2014.
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Rieck Center for Habitat Studies 54-acre Nature Preserve - With continuous help from volunteers, students, community members, and faculty of University of Findlay, the Rieck Center for Habitat Studies is a productive and rewarding non-profit institution for learning and conservation of nature.
University Gardens - The Sensory Garden, Rain Garden, and Greenhouse serve as therapeutic and educational resources on the University campus.
Solar Powered Student Housing - University of Findlay operates two student houses that receive more than 70 percent of their power from alternative energy sources.
Findlay Green Campus Initiatives (FGCI)
FGCI is a group of volunteer faculty and staff whose mission is to empower the entire UF community to adopt an environmentally conscious culture and continually improve the sustainability practices of the institution.
Recycling on Campus - University of Findlay strives to make recycling on campus convenient. Students are surveyed annually to determine how, where, and what students are recycling on campus. This annual survey helps UF make continual improvements in the campus recycling program as campus grows. UF plans to further evolve the current recycling program in order to make recycling as convenient as possible for students while also positively impacting UF's bottom line.
Bottle Caps to Benches Program - bottle caps are collected at recycling locations across campus and then transformed into outdoor benches through Green Tree Plastics in Evansville, IN.
Move Out, Pitch In - FGCI works with Campus Christian Ministries annually to encourage students to donate unwanted household items, clothing, and non-perishable foods during move out each year. Donated items are given to the local Salvation Army and local food bank.
Student Organizations
UF students have taken initiative to provide opportunities for all students to get involved in green-focused student-led organizations on campus:
- Green Campus Club
- Wilderness Club
- Save the Bees
Academic Programs
Environment and Society studies the dependency of humans on their natural environment while emphasizing conservation, sustainability, and energy efficiency.