Develop a W&M Sustainability Toolkit
Research Location:
Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Conservation Partner:
W&M Office of Sustainability
Student Researcher
Alison Walsh '23Faculty Mentors
Dr. John Swaddle and Calandra Waters LakeProject Description
Facing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity, ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and exponential population growth, there is an immediate need for effective sustainability policies that balance environmental conservation and the resource needs of global human populations. In 2018, William & Mary established a new comprehensive Sustainability Plan that sets a path for the University to reduce its environmental impacts and mitigate the impacts of climate change over the next 5 years.
The W&M Sustainability Plan empowers students, faculty, and staff to work together to develop innovative, cross-disciplinary actions that address the social, economic, political, and environmental dimensions of sustainability at all levels of campus resource usage. Supported by a Green Fee grant, Alison engaged W&M stakeholders in the development of a Sustainability Toolkit that will serve as a framework and resource for W&M offices, departments, and student groups to translate the Plan into feasible actions that align with departmental and office goals. The Sustainability Toolkit was used by the Institute for Integrative Conservation to develop a sustainability plan for our institute to contribute to the W&M Sustainability Goals.
