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WHAT Does environmental stewardship mean?

At MSU, we're not just green, we're Spartan Green. Environmental stewardship is part of who we are, and together we can make a significant impact on our campus and around the world. We're finding new ways to be more environmentally friendly, and to share ideas with those who want to do more for the environment.

The University has set clear goals to reduce energy use by 15%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15%, and reduce landfill waste by 30% by 2015.

Still unsure about what environmental stewardship means? Check out an indepth interview with Jennifer Sowa, environmental stewardship communications team leader, as she disscused with Russ White of the Spartan Podcast what this term means and what Be Spartan Green is all about here.

Reduce
Less is more. You can make a big difference in the amount of waste that's generated - on and off campus - by using less energy and fewer materials. Learn more here.

Reuse and Recycle
Trash isn't always treasure, but you can turn something old into something green by finding new uses and recycling. This cuts down on waste as well as consumption. Learn more here.

Research and Reeducate
MSU faculty and students are researching some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. With more than 45,000 students, 10,000 employees and a network of more than 400,000 alumni, the opportunity to educate others and make an impact locally and globally is at our fingertips. Learn more here.

Redesign
You're part of a dynamic environment at MSU. As we grow, we're redesigning buildings to be environmentally friendly and meeting green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for new construction. We're also replenishing the natural environment. Just look at MSU's green roof projects, the Student Organic Farm, and the pristine gardens and green spaces around campus. Learn more here.

Rethink
The environment is part of everything that we do, so look at the big picture and be creative. Think of new ways that you can be Spartan green, and share your ideas with others-and with us! Learn more here.

By making the environmental stewardship a major part of our campus vision, MSU is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the campus-wide recycling program, following green standards for new buildings, conducting environmental research projects that span the globe, and supporting eco-focused student activities.

Boldness by Design

Environmental Stewardship Focus Area
Phase I Recommendations
Phase II Recommendations

In 2005, Michigan State University was issued a unique challenge by President Lou Anna K. Simon to move the institution from land-grant to world-grant by 2012. She named this strategic vision Boldness by Design. In seven years, the University was to go through a true transformation to carry forward the values of teaching, education and outreach on a global scale.

Environmental Stewardship was among the programs that were implemented under the umbrella of Boldness by Design. Instead of making a simple change to increase recycling or use less energy, the leaders of this initiative promised to be truly bold and make systemic changes in the way that we understood and addressed environmental stewardship. A systems team which included students, faculty and staff studied inputs to campus, campus systems & processes and outputs leaving the campus. Using this approach, the environmental stewardship systems team explored challenges from technical, cost, and behavioral perspectives. This approach boasts the uniqueness of having student/faculty/staff collaboration, institutional support and a holistic, process driven approach to environmental stewardship.