Shortly after my arrival at Virginia Wesleyan, I shared with each of you
my career-long commitment to the environment and sustainability. Since
then, I have been most pleased with the work being done by the College’s
President’s Environmental Issues Council.
Today I’m proud to share that their efforts, along with those of our
entire campus community, have earned the College designation as a River
Star Business, Achievement Level, by the Elizabeth River Project.
The
Elizabeth River Project is an independent non-profit that works with
partner organizations to restore the Elizabeth River, a tributary of the
Chesapeake Bay. River Star Businesses is one of their signature
programs, recognizing organizations that voluntarily reduce pollution
and create or conserve wildlife habitat enhancement.
The River
Restoration Advisory Committee, comprised of River Star peers and
technical experts, reviews River Star documentation every fall for entry
and advancement in the program. The two-star Achievement Level
recognition is attained when a River Star documents significant
achievements in both pollution prevention and wildlife habitat
enhancement. Achievements must be clearly quantified and achieved with
meaningful employee involvement and be significant relative to the size
and nature of the organization.
In their review, the committee
noted Virginia Wesleyan’s energy efficiency, green roof, storm water
management, solar panels, wildlife habitat enhancement, old growth beech
forest, bird sanctuary, beekeeping, composting, arboretum and native
plant pallet, among other initiatives.
River Star
accomplishments will be celebrated at the Elizabeth River Project’s
annual River Star Recognition Luncheon on January 26, 2017.
Very
special thanks to the President’s Environmental Issues Council, and in
particular, Batten Professor of Political Science William Gibson. Dr.
Gibson has dedicated much of his life to cleaning up the Elizabeth River
and took the lead on earning this designation for the College.
We
have much to be proud of as an institution, and our environmental
efforts and dedication to sustainability are no exception.
Congratulations!
