We advance sustainability through our operations, education, and community engagement. We are committed to climate action. With the first geothermal district energy system in MN & a history of innovation, we have reduced our natural gas use by 60-70%. Now we are developing our next actions focused on eliminating operational emissions, scaling sustainability across the curriculum, and deepening experiences in sustainability solutions on campus and in our community. See sustainability in our institutional strategic plan.
The Sustainability Working Group will soon release a report and plan sharing our goals and strategies for change in decarbonization, education, and collaboration with local and higher education networks to accelerate change. See our review informed by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners.
The Environmental Advisory Committee annually awards the Stewsie Sustainability Award to one Carleton student and one Carleton faculty or staff member who has made a notable impact on sustainability efforts at Carleton. The Award is named for Dresdon Blake Stewart, better known as “Stewsie.” Stewsie served the College as a grounds superviso for more than 50 years. This year’s winners are Kelly Connole and Eli Watt!
We honor Kelly Connole, Professor of Art at Carleton College for her exceptional integration of sustainability into her ceramics curriculum and her leadership in public sustainability efforts. She meticulously tracks the life cycle of studio materials and even undertakes the ambitious project of harvesting local clay to eliminate transportation carbon footprints. Kelly fosters a deeper environmental awareness by prompting students to contemplate the millennia-long lifespan of fired ceramics, promoting thoughtful creation and continuous recycling of unfired clay. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom through her leadership of the annual Empty Bowls event, which for 20 years has raised funds for the local food shelf by offering a shared meal of community-donated soup served in handmade bowls. Kelly sets an amazing example of environmental stewardship and community involvement in the arts.
Eli Watt, Environmental Studies Major, and Sustainability Assistant (STA) is the student recipient of the Stewsie Award. Eli’s outstanding leadership and dedication to sustainability at Carleton are exemplified by their waste-free detergent project, reducing the campus’s carbon footprint and promoting hygiene equity. While serving as a STA they have championed efforts in establishing a plant-based food supply line and organizing sustainability events in collaboration with partners such as the CCCE, Mutual Aid, the MakerSpace, Bon App, and more. Eli consistently takes on important tasks that help build the ENTS community, serving as one of the student assistants for the ENTS program and communicating opportunities and events. Congratulations, Eli! We appreciate how you have built community and change for sustainability, equity, and environmental justice!
The Environmental Advisory Committee annually awards the Stewsie Sustainability Award to one Carleton student and one Carleton faculty or staff member who has made a notable impact on sustainability efforts at Carleton. The Award is named for Dresdon Blake Stewart, better known as “Stewsie.” Stewsie served the College as a grounds superviso for more than 50 years. This year’s winners are Kelly Connole and Eli Watt!
We honor Kelly Connole, Professor of Art at Carleton College for her exceptional integration of sustainability into her ceramics curriculum and her leadership in public sustainability efforts. She meticulously tracks the life cycle of studio materials and even undertakes the ambitious project of harvesting local clay to eliminate transportation carbon footprints. Kelly fosters a deeper environmental awareness by prompting students to contemplate the millennia-long lifespan of fired ceramics, promoting thoughtful creation and continuous recycling of unfired clay. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom through her leadership of the annual Empty Bowls event, which for 20 years has raised funds for the local food shelf by offering a shared meal of community-donated soup served in handmade bowls. Kelly sets an amazing example of environmental stewardship and community involvement in the arts.
Eli Watt, Environmental Studies Major, and Sustainability Assistant (STA) is the student recipient of the Stewsie Award. Eli’s outstanding leadership and dedication to sustainability at Carleton are exemplified by their waste-free detergent project, reducing the campus’s carbon footprint and promoting hygiene equity. While serving as a STA they have championed efforts in establishing a plant-based food supply line and organizing sustainability events in collaboration with partners such as the CCCE, Mutual Aid, the MakerSpace, Bon App, and more. Eli consistently takes on important tasks that help build the ENTS community, serving as one of the student assistants for the ENTS program and communicating opportunities and events. Congratulations, Eli! We appreciate how you have built community and change for sustainability, equity, and environmental justice!
Thank you to Global Minnesota for arranging this exchange with the City of Northfield. Polish delegates interested in climate solutions visited stops around town including a stop @carletoncollege. Rob & Sarah presented on the history of climate action on campus & visited the East Energy Station, or the central hub for our district geothermal system that has reduced natural gas use by 60%, & is part of many decisions that reduce our emissions. Into the future, our work includes more activities in support of expanding solutions through our partnerships, education, & outreach. #climateaction #decarbonization #geothermal #poland #northfieldmn #metricsystem
Thank you to Global Minnesota for arranging this exchange with the City of Northfield. Polish delegates interested in climate solutions visited stops around town including a stop @carletoncollege. Rob & Sarah presented on the history of climate action on campus & visited the East Energy Station, or the central hub for our district geothermal system that has reduced natural gas use by 60%, & is part of many decisions that reduce our emissions. Into the future, our work includes more activities in support of expanding solutions through our partnerships, education, & outreach. #climateaction #decarbonization #geothermal #poland #northfieldmn #metricsystem
Tours of our Wind Turbines from Monday, May 27th, led by Campus Energy Manager Rob Hanson! The Sustainability Office collaborated with Carleton’s Energy Club (@carleton_ec ) and the Facilities Office to give students the rare opportunity to see our wind turbines up close and learn more about the system that powers nearly half of our main campus. Keep your eye out for more tours for the wind turbines in 2024/2025! In the meantime, here are some quick facts:
- The 2011 wind turbine (north east of campus) is connected directly to campus, while the 2004 wind turbine (directly east of campus) sells electricity to Xcel
- Each wind turbine generates about 4 million kWh of electricity annually, while the Carleton main campus uses about 19 million kWh of electricity annually
- The 2011 wind turbine tower is 80 meter tall at the top, while the 2004 wind turbine tower is 70 meters tall at the top.
- One windy hour of one of the turbines turning at full speed will provide enough electricity for an EV sedan to travel almost 5,000 miles
- The blades from each wind turbine are 41 meters long
Tours of our Wind Turbines from Monday, May 27th, led by Campus Energy Manager Rob Hanson! The Sustainability Office collaborated with Carleton’s Energy Club (@carleton_ec ) and the Facilities Office to give students the rare opportunity to see our wind turbines up close and learn more about the system that powers nearly half of our main campus. Keep your eye out for more tours for the wind turbines in 2024/2025! In the meantime, here are some quick facts:
- The 2011 wind turbine (north east of campus) is connected directly to campus, while the 2004 wind turbine (directly east of campus) sells electricity to Xcel
- Each wind turbine generates about 4 million kWh of electricity annually, while the Carleton main campus uses about 19 million kWh of electricity annually
- The 2011 wind turbine tower is 80 meter tall at the top, while the 2004 wind turbine tower is 70 meters tall at the top.
- One windy hour of one of the turbines turning at full speed will provide enough electricity for an EV sedan to travel almost 5,000 miles
- The blades from each wind turbine are 41 meters long
Peer Leader banquet- the start of the goodbyes & hellos. It was lovely to reflect on highlights & what is ahead. —-missing a few here, & thinking of all!
Peer Leader banquet- the start of the goodbyes & hellos. It was lovely to reflect on highlights & what is ahead. —-missing a few here, & thinking of all!
Getting ready to help kids measure water temperature & clarity at Lyman Lakes for BeaverFest this Saturday from 11-4. We’ll be part of the many activity stations & data will be recorded & part of our plan to engage our community in discussions about water & climate resilience. #communityscience #climateaction #beaverfest
Getting ready to help kids measure water temperature & clarity at Lyman Lakes for BeaverFest this Saturday from 11-4. We’ll be part of the many activity stations & data will be recorded & part of our plan to engage our community in discussions about water & climate resilience. #communityscience #climateaction #beaverfest
Come to our nature drawing & watercolor event next Monday! This event is in collaboration with Carleton Mutual Aid! Register using the QR Code
Come to our nature drawing & watercolor event next Monday! This event is in collaboration with Carleton Mutual Aid! Register using the QR Code
Join our team! We are seeking a 5th year educational associate & sustainability coordinator. Check out this ode to Kenta, next year this could be you:). Graduating Seniors can apply on Work Day, or reach out to Sarah Fortner to express interest.
Join our team! We are seeking a 5th year educational associate & sustainability coordinator. Check out this ode to Kenta, next year this could be you:). Graduating Seniors can apply on Work Day, or reach out to Sarah Fortner to express interest.
Work on the student farm! Students are currently actively growing vegetables. This role has good streams of collaboration with food services, student volunteers & more & it pays $25.20-$25.74/hr for 15 hours a week, 9 months a year. We can support you into this role.
Work on the student farm! Students are currently actively growing vegetables. This role has good streams of collaboration with food services, student volunteers & more & it pays $25.20-$25.74/hr for 15 hours a week, 9 months a year. We can support you into this role.
clothing 👕 repair 👩🔧 fair 🎡
Beaverfest! (A little advertising for this event in May at the @northfield.earth.day)
Downtown adventures underway, exhibits, food, & then speakers at 4:30. It’s a great way to meet environmental groups, learn sustainability opportunities related to the IRA federal money for residents, & practical household & individual tips related to your trees, yard, energy, food. Also lots on local food systems & climate advocacy. @northfield.earth.day #climateaction
Downtown adventures underway, exhibits, food, & then speakers at 4:30. It’s a great way to meet environmental groups, learn sustainability opportunities related to the IRA federal money for residents, & practical household & individual tips related to your trees, yard, energy, food. Also lots on local food systems & climate advocacy. @northfield.earth.day #climateaction
Passive house tours & information on our geothermal system today! On the hour at 9, 10, & 11 today (Saturday) Tours start inside in 226 Recreation Center at @carletoncollege @northfield.earth.day
Passive house tours & information on our geothermal system today! On the hour at 9, 10, & 11 today (Saturday) Tours start inside in 226 Recreation Center at @carletoncollege @northfield.earth.day