Sustainability

Penn State experts to speak at Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:27:04 -0500

Fruit and vegetable growers can delve into industry topics at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, set for Jan. 28-30 in Hershey, where many Penn State experts will present.

Master Watershed Steward Bethany Canner leads community events in Lebanon County

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:10:36 -0500

In 2020, Bethany Canner became an inaugural member of the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer program in the Lower Susquehanna region. However, her curiosity and interest in watershed management date back to her childhood.

Penn State Berks holds Sustainability Expo, open to the public

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:24:39 -0500

In December, Penn State Berks hosted its Sustainability Expo, "Connecting Campus and Community," organized and curated by Mahsa Kazempour, associate professor of science education and sustainability council chair. The expo showcased community effort from around Berks County including that of Penn State Berks students, Alvernia University students and organizations around the area.

Spring 2025 Sustainability events highlight resilience and community building

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:19:38 -0500

Penn State Sustainability is kicking off its spring 2025 programming with a film focused on the intersection of labor rights and environmental degradation. Highlights of the semester-long series include a visit by renowned sociologist Eric Klinenberg to discuss lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, and an outdoor film screening at the Arboretum at Penn State.

Changing the way Penn Staters think about waste and recycling

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:30:24 -0500

Ayodeji Oluwalana, Penn State’s waste reduction and recycling program manager, has been hard at work for the past three years finding ways to improve how Penn Staters think about waste. His work ranges from redesigning signs on wastebins to meeting with students, staff and faculty to teach best practices.

Penn State Extension to offer ‘Beekeeping Around the World’ webinar series

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 12:14:45 -0500

For those interested in learning about how beekeeping is practiced in different parts of the world, Penn State Extension is offering a free, six-week webinar series. “Beekeeping Around the World" will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 6 to March 13.

Sustainable Communities Collaborative Expo draws record attendance

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:49:48 -0500

More than 50 Penn State student teams had the opportunity to present their projects at the Campus and Community Sustainability Expo on Dec. 12, held in the State College Municipal Building. The expo happens every semester as the culminating event for the Sustainable Communities Collaborative, the experiential learning program at Penn State Sustainability that pairs classes with community partners on partner-identified projects.

Penn State ranks second in the US in 2025 QS sustainability rankings

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:25:00 -0500

Penn State tied for No. 2 among 237 ranked universities in the United States in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability for 2025, released Dec. 10. Internationally, the University rose 18 places in this year’s rankings to tie for No. 19 out of 1,743 participating institutions worldwide. Penn State also ranked at No. 1 among Big Ten institutions and No. 2 among all U.S. public universities.

Arboretum comes aglow with holiday decorations, winter celebration

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 12:01:00 -0500

The Arboretum’s gardens will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day during the annual holiday light display, beginning Friday, Dec. 6, and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 19. Admission is free and no ticket is required. The Arboretum also will hold a Winter Celebration after a hiatus of several years from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13.

Master Watershed Steward Tim Matthews aims to make conservation family-friendly

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:10:32 -0500

Volunteering as a Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward has enabled Tim Matthews to combine his skills and interests and engage with his community to design family-friendly projects aimed at protecting and improving the environment.

Sustainable Communities Collaborative partnership with Borough flourishes

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:35:42 -0500

The Sustainable Communities Collaborative (SCC) at Penn State Sustainability has coordinated a record number of partnership projects with the Borough of State College this semester. The SCC pairs Penn State classes from across disciplines with communities on partner-identified and defined community projects.

Children’s book by Master Gardeners teaches kids about the spotted lanternfly

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 15:56:26 -0500

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners have released a new children’s book designed to educate youngsters about the invasive spotted lanternfly, which has wreaked havoc in landscapes across Pennsylvania and beyond.

'Free Food Map' now on the Penn State Go app

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:28:54 -0500

The Free Food Map, which shows locations throughout Centre County and across Pennsylvania that offer free food to those in need, is now available to the Penn State community on the Penn State Go app.

Holiday Heat Reduction Program aims to save energy during winter break

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:35:09 -0500

At the conclusion of the fall semester, Penn State will once again institute a Holiday Heat Reduction Program at University Park, aimed at lowering building temperatures during the holiday break. This annual energy savings initiative saves the University energy costs and has proven to be an important factor in helping the University pursue its energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

EarthTalks: Chief sustainability officer to discuss decarbonizing the University

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:41:44 -0500

Lara Fowler, chief sustainability officer at Penn State, director of Penn State Sustainability, and teaching professor of law, will give the talk, “Decarbonizing Penn State: How Does Law, Policy, and Financing Fit In?” at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, in 112 Walker Building on the University Park campus, as well as via Zoom.

Penn State Global hosts Day of Service, leadup to sustainability conference

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:11:19 -0500

On Oct. 12, Penn State Global hosted a multi-campus synchronous Day of Service aimed at getting students involved in sustainability work in their communities. More than 80 students from five campuses – Abington, Berks, Brandywine, Great Valley and University Park – participated in four service experiences, which conclude with the Global Sustainable Action Conference on Nov. 16-17.