Many institutions are developing plans to address questions about how to reduce their ecological footprint and restore natural capital. Among liberal arts colleges St. Olaf College has a long history of institutional and community support of sustainability initiatives and provides a variety of examples of how ecological principles have been applied to promote the sustainable use of resources. Faculty, staff and students working together developed sustainability principles, sustainable design guidelines and St. Olaf land use principles to guide planning and projects.  

Results/Conclusions

Current projects focus on energy use, green building design, ecological restoration and environmental literacy. To reduce energy demands a student-managed garden, StoGrow, was established on college lands. Food grown is purchased by the college food service, reducing energetic and dollar costs of food transportation and providing more locally produced food. All food waste is composted and the compost is used as fertilizer on college property. A 1.65 megawatt wind turbine on college property provides about one third of all college energy needs with energy going directly into the college energy grid. Regents Hall, the new (opened fall 2008) integrated science teaching and research facility, has energy savings 53 percent higher than state energy code requirements based on green design features such as a green roof and radiant heat panels that also promote daylight harvesting. A green chemistry curriculum using water-based reactions decreased lab waste and the number of hoods required in the building. Storm runoff, managed with a series of ponds, is also used for student research projects on water quality. Over 140 ha of farmland adjacent to campus have been restored to prairie, forest and wetland communities and now provide opportunities for research and recreation, as well as reducing erosion and promoting biodiversity. College land leased for agriculture is farmed using no-till methods, a change based on a student research project showing improved soil conditions with less tilling. A strong Environmental Studies program with tracks in the natural sciences, arts and humanities, and social sciences trains students in sustainability issues and encourages interdisciplinary dialogue and research. Student and faculty initiatives, along with a supportive administration, suggest continued improvement in sustainable use of resources and promotion of ecosystem health.