Event recognizes three years of green living

Green wall

Students Jalessa Epps and Ryan Francois write their commitments to sustainable actions on a large green wall at the event. Photo by Bob Elbert.

Members of Iowa State's green community gathered in Memorial Union's Great Hall Tuesday, Feb. 28, to celebrate and showcase three year's worth of Live Green! activities. The university initiative, begun in 2008, has sparked a lot of green activity, much of which was on display at the Sustainapalooza event.

Some 50 poster presentations reflected such efforts as the use of green cleaning products in campus buildings, student recycling in the residence halls and programs to create local food systems in Iowa communities.

"In looking back at the journey that we have taken and what we have accomplished, there's not one corner of campus that has not been impacted by all of our creativity, dedication, spirit and vision," director of sustainability Merry Rankin said.

President Steven Leath credited his predecessor Gregory Geoffory for launching Live Green!. "As I reflect on what's been accomplished the last three years," Leath said, "I'm going to do everything I can to keep this initiative moving forward."