The Green Cardinal Initiative is a group of students, faculty, and staff at Saginaw Valley State University who are interested in creating a more sustainable future. This website allows students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members to sign up to be a Green Cardinal and to join in the conversation. Based on funding from the Allen Foundation, SVSU’s WIRED grant from the Department of Labor, and the SVSU Foundation we are working on several projects including, recycling waste from our Dining Services into organic fertilizer, creating sustainable hydroponics systems for inner city urban areas, developing renewable options for fossil fuels, Vermiponics, and raising environmental awareness on campus and throughout Mid-Michigan. Please join us by registering as a Green Cardinal !
As many of you already know, several faculty and staff have been meeting regularly this semester to discuss a strategic plan for the Green Cardinal Initiative. We have come a long way in the past year or so since our inception and I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for their hardwork and dedication towards making SVSU a more sustainable place. I would also like to thank everyone for their input in drafting this document, especially Chris Schilling, Ed Meisel, Bill Williamson, Ann Coburn-Collins, and Jan Poppe. There have been others who have provided input through email also and many others who we have worked with throughout the year who also deserve credit such as Beth Jorgenson, Dave Swenson, Ducley Simpkins, Mike Mosher, Deb Huntley, and I'm sure others that I am forgetting.
At this time, I would like to turn this document over to the 200+ current members of the Green Cardinal Initiative. Yes, that's right there are over 200 members of the SVSU community who have signed on to this project. It's time for you to provide your insight into the next steps that we should take. I would like to encourage all of you to review the mission statement and 2009-2010 goals that we have outlined. At this point this is just a working document as we need your feedback as to how to make it better and more effective. It is also important that we have your feedback because in the next year we will again be turning to you in order to make these goals a reality. Just click the "more" link to review the entire document or click here .
Terry and Mary Klein have established a 4H Beekeeping program that will be held at their house in St. Charles. The first informational meeting is Saturday, May 16, 12:30-2:30 PM. Please help us spread the word. This program will be open to children 8-18 years. The plan (as I understand it) is for the kids to keep hives of their own right at the Kleins property in a dedicated apiary. If you know of anyone in that age group that might be interested, have them come to the meeting or call the Klein's directly, information below.
Terry and Mary Klein 11785 Wahl Road St. Charles, MI 48655 (about 3 miles north of St. Charles off M-52) 989-865-9377
Alternative Spring Breaks and the Green Cardinals have put together some great events for this week and next week leading up to Earth Day on 4/22. Be there and be green!
---
Thur. 4/16/09 @ 7:00pm - Student Activities Room "Kilowatt Ours" Movie Screening - With FREE Sal's Pizzeria Pizza! Filmmaker Jeff Barrie offers hope as he turns the camera on himself and asks, “How can I make a difference?” Come Join the Green Cardinals learn how you can do to make a difference in your own way to make the world greener! -- Mon. 4/20/09 @ 7:00pm - Ott Auditorium Speaker: Pat Race - "Global Climate Disruption, Renewable Energy and You" The topic of discussion will be based on just what the title suggests. Come join Pat in a very compelling talk and listen to the very interesting things he has to say about how you can change and make a difference! -- Wed. 4/22/08 EARTH DAY! From 12:00 to 6:00, SVSU’s Green House will be showcasing green sustainable projects such as hydroponics, aeroponics, a solar oven and vermiculture.These will be displayed around the green house along with green exhibits from around the Tri-Cities area.Visitors will be able to view them, ask questions and even find out how they can implement them in their own lives.During the Earth Day event there will be free BBQ for everyone to enjoy along with games, tours and prizes.
