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From February to April, Colgate’s ENST 390 courses explore maple syrup production in central New York. Past students studied the history and community traditions of sugaring in Madison County, while current students are evaluating the feasibility of producing maple syrup on campus. Sugaring relies on temperature fluctuations—above freezing by day, below freezing at night—to make sap flow, which is about 2% sugar and requires roughly 40 gallons of sap for 1 gallon of syrup. Well-managed sugar maple forests can produce syrup sustainably for over a century. Historically, sap was boiled into granulated sugar, but today it’s typically made into amber syrup. While Colgate doesn’t yet produce its own syrup, local New York maple syrup is available at nearby markets and stores, offering a sweet way to support the community and celebrate spring.

The Office of Sustainability hosted a question and answer session on the ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Twitter account Saturday, April 14. See the full thread below, and follow Colgate and the Office of Sustainability on Twitter.

The Green Summit and Oak Awards

On March 25, Colgate sustainability interns conducted the fourth waste audit of the year in first- and second-year residence halls to evaluate recycling effectiveness and contamination. The audits aim to improve Colgate’s low recycling rate (15%) and address rising landfill waste. Results showed that residence halls with Landmark-style recycling bins, like Bryan Complex, had much higher recycling rates (57.8%) than halls without them, such as East Hall (22.2%). Audits involved collecting and sorting trash and recyclables, noting contamination from items like coffee cups, straws, chip bags, and liquids, which can cause recyclables to be sent to the landfill. Recyclables were also found in landfill bags, including coffee sleeves, cardboard, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles. The audits highlighted the importance of education and better bin infrastructure. The interns are compiling a full report with recommendations, suggesting that adding more Landmark-style bins could significantly improve campus recycling rates. The project also serves as a resource for students to learn how to recycle effectively.

Earth Day began on April 22, 1970, following public protests against pollution and environmental harm, leading to the creation of the EPA and major environmental laws. Today, over 1 billion people in 192 countries participate annually through activism, cleanups, tree planting, and sustainability initiatives.

½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï is committed to carbon neutrality by 2019 by both reducing campus emissions and investing in high-quality carbon offsets for emissions that cannot be eliminated, such as air travel, commuting, and certain energy uses. Offsets not only help achieve carbon neutrality but also provide educational opportunities, innovation, and financial incentives to further reduce emissions.

½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2019, meaning the campus will have zero net greenhouse gas emissions. This involves reducing emissions wherever possible and offsetting the rest through projects like reforestation, renewable energy, and methane capture.

During a semester abroad in Manchester, England, the author initially praised the city’s sustainability features, like accessible recycling, extensive bike paths, and vegetarian/vegan food options. However, deeper research revealed that the U.K. faces serious air pollution issues, with rising levels of nitrous oxides and particulate matter that harm human health.

Colgate’s Sustainability Office is hiring three summer 2018 interns to support a variety of projects advancing sustainability and helping the university achieve carbon neutrality. Interns will gain hands-on experience in research, creative writing, social media management, Green Bikes, the Community Garden, sustainability conference planning, and carbon neutrality programs. Positions require up to 40 hours per week for 10 weeks, starting the week of May 21, with flexible scheduling. Applications, including a resume and cover letter, are due by March 23 to pgramlich@colgate.edu . Summer 2017 intern Chaveli Miles emphasized that impactful sustainability can happen locally, through peer-led and institution-supported initiatives, without needing to be political.

The Colgate Community Garden is hiring summer interns to work with Garden Manager Beth Roy. Interns help maintain the garden, including weeding, planting, and harvesting for the weekly farm stand, working about 40 hours per week. The internship offers hands-on experience in vegetable and organic farming, engagement with the local community, and learning about sustainability initiatives at Colgate through a course led by John Pumilio, Director of the Office of Sustainability. Previous interns highlight that no prior gardening experience is necessary, and the internship provides a unique opportunity to see where your food comes from. Applications, including a resume and one-page cover letter, are due March 23 to eroy@colgate.edu