Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Diversions

Media Credit: Jordan Pendley During a meeting of the GreenToppers, a group focused on campus sustainability, Helen Siewers, Bowling Green Greenways coordinator, illustrates the planned path of the bike trails that will be constructed in Bowling Green. "We want to make WKU a greener campus," GreenToppers President Shaden Melky said. "We're trying to reduce our ecological footprint."

Recycling bins have sat in the lobbies of dorms across campus since March. Students walk past them carrying full trash bags to the dumpster, even though some of the items in the bags could have been recycled.

Christian Ryan-Downing, a graduate student from Springfield, Mo., and GreenToppers president, said recycling is the easiest way to help the environment, but students are often unaware of the impact they can make by recycling and simply turning off lights.

The GreenToppers, a club that began in January, are students advocating a sustainable campus. The group is hosting an Earth Day festival from 11:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow on DUC South Lawn.

A sustainable campus is a campus that saves energy and makes the best use of the products it has, Ryan-Downing said. A sustainable campus provides students with the knowledge and tools to make wiser decisions about how people live, resulting in a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

Ryan-Downing said the group's goal is to make students aware of problems in the environment and educate them on how to solve them.

During the festival, there will be information booths, guest speakers and live music.

Several Bowling Green businesses, such as Lost River Cave and the Humane Society, will have giveaways and information about sustainability, Ryan-Downing said.

The festival also includes an environmental photography contest, a showcase of various hybrid cars and a bicycle-powered smoothie machine.

Ryan-Downing said she thinks awareness is especially important on campus because Western has an "enormous" impact on the environment.

Universities have the responsibility to practice sustainability, she said.

GreenToppers Adviser Ouida Meier, a project specialist in biology, said the members want to work on projects that will interest students and get them involved.

"It keeps people aware of their actions," she said.

Recycling programs are a GreenTopper priority because recycling is a significant activity, Meier said. Reusing aluminum, paper and plastics can greatly reduce the amount of waste.

Recycling is something that students can make a part of their routine, she said.

The GreenToppers are planning on working with the dorms to increase recycling.

In addition to recycling, they are learning about and planning other sustainability projects.

Ryan-Downing said the club toured Berea College in Berea to see what one university is doing to create a sustainable campus.

According to Berea College's Web site, its administration building is certified in leadership in energy and environmental design by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The council was created to promote environmentally friendly design and recognizes highly sustainable buildings, according to the Web site.

"It's amazing," Ryan-Downing said. "All lights are motion-censored and there are beautiful built-in recycling cabinets on every floor."

The Green Toppers are planning on planting a herb garden outside of Downing University Center and are urging ARAMARK food services to serve more locally grown foods.



Reach Christina Howerton at features@wkuherald.com.