NMU to fund five green, student-proposed projects

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - NMU is implementing five Green Fund project proposals for student-led sustainability initiatives on campus this year.

It’ll be starting an apartment composting service, improving its bike share program, and building pollinator habitats, bat boxes, and bird feeders. The combined budget for all the projects is nearly $27,000 and will be covered by the Green Fund, which is a student-paid fee that supports sustainable project ideas submitted by students.

NMU’s MI Healthy Climate Corps Climate Action Coordinator Anna Solberg likes this program because it shows how passionate students are to keep NMU green.

“It’s great to be able to get students involved and that they can actually see the process of proposing a project that would benefit not only them while they’re here but also future generations of students to come,” said Solberg.

Here are the details for each of the five projects:

Apartment Composting

NMU student Grace Listopad proposed a pilot composting program at the Woodland Park Apartments. Her proposal included placing four 64-gallon bins next to the dumpsters where those living at the apartments can dispose of their compost, diverting scraps from the garbage. She also proposed providing students with a magnet that contains information on what is and is not compostable, adding to the educational component that is often missing from implementing composting or recycling programs.

Bike Share Program

The Bike Share Program is a free service offered to NMU students that allows them to rent a bike for up to three consecutive days. ASNMU proposed that 10 additional bikes be added to this program to increase student participation and decrease the amount of driving on campus and across Marquette. The bikes are rented out of the Fit Zone and the Outdoor Recreation Center assists in running the rental process.

Pollinator Habitat

This submission by the Potticary Lab and the Entomology Club is to install 10 overwintering habitats across campus. These habitats will support native pollinators like beetles, butterflies, and bees. Allowing a place that can attract and retain pollinators is key to diversifying the pollinator community on campus to help support plants, other animals, and even the education of those who traverse campus (through educational signage that will be displayed).

Bat Boxes

NMU student Delany Frank proposed placing 10 bat boxes across campus to increase awareness and biodiversity. She recommended that the boxes be placed in the Norwood Forested Area and across the larger Outdoor Learning Area with signage that increases awareness about what the boxes are used for and how bats are integral to the ecosystem. A recent EEGS student actually conducted research on where the best places across campus are for hanging bat boxes, so that information will be utilized to place them in the most appropriate locations.

Bird Feeders

The placement of a few bird feeders in the Native Plant Park, part of the Outdoor Learning Area, was proposed by NMU students Delany Frank and Taryn Andersen. They said the project will help bird biodiversity thrive on campus, assist in the pollination of plants and controlling of pests, and help birds during migration and throughout the cold winter months. In addition, students will have the opportunity to engage more closely with nature on campus.