Continuing its work toward environmental sustainability, Wayne State University is pleased to announce the release of its 2017 Sustainability Strategic Plan.

The Sustainability Strategic Plan shares Wayne State highlights from the past several years, which include academics, research, community engagement and a pledge to protect the environment by advancing the triple bottom line.

The plan will be officially unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. in the David Adamany Undergraduate Library’s Bernath Auditorium.

“As you will read in this plan, our dedicated faculty, staff and student leaders have launched various initiatives to advance knowledge, raise awareness and change behavior as it relates to our impact on the environment,” said WSU President M. Roy Wilson. “Wayne State will continue to be a good environmental steward as we develop leaders and a talent pool that will help ensure the world’s resources are sustainable for generations to come.”

The plan features a strategic analysis of campus sustainability and identifies key goals to be accomplished over the next five years. Within this framework, the sustainability plan calls for supporting metrics to track university progress toward tactical initiatives through 2022. 

Highlights from the 2017 Sustainability Strategic Plan include:

• WSU’s campus-wide recycling program, which captures paper, cardboard, plastics and metal containers.
• Wayne State University Farmers Market, which offered the university community locally-grown produce, fresh baked goods and wholesome food projects.
• The installation of a solar array and wind turbine on the roof of the Engineering Technology Building.
• The establishment of the Office of Campus Sustainability, which was designed to move forward the university’s environmental initiatives.
• Five LEED-certified buildings within the university portfolio.
• The installation of water bottle filling stations around campus to facilitate the use of refillable containers.
• The installation of LED retrofit lighting to replace older, less efficient fluorescent fixtures and bulbs.
• The Baroudeur cycling event, which brings awareness to alternative transportation while raising funds for student scholarships.
• The installation of gardens in several areas around campus, which allow the community to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.
• WSU’s completion of a greenhouse gas inventory to measure the university’s carbon footprint and environmental impact.

“After the efforts and input of many individuals around campus, the release of this plan is an exciting moment for Wayne State’s sustainability effort,” said Daryl Pierson of Wayne State’s Office of Campus Sustainability. “I believe the contents of the sustainability plan, and resulting initiatives, will help move the university to the next level in its sustainable practices and result in outcomes that will positively impact our campus community, the broader society and help mitigate negative impacts on the environment.”

To learn more about sustainability at Wayne State and to access the 2017 Sustainability Strategic Plan, visit livinggreen.wayne.edu.