The Yale community gathered Wednesday at West Campus to celebrate Founders Day and learn about the contribution the campus is making to the University’s new Sustainability Plan. The plan was unveiled by President Peter Salovey earlier this week, setting out an ambitious commitment from all corners of Yale.
A large crowd gathered at the West Campus Barn, the recently constructed timber-frame home of the Yale Landscape Lab (YLL), which provides increased access to the expansive campus space for numerous student projects in sustainability-related themes.
Welcoming guests, Vice President Scott Strobel highlighted the role the campus is playing to contribute to a more sustainable world. One of seven institutes, the Energy Science Institute is bringing a collective scientific approach to viable renewable energy and carbon management solutions; the West Campus solar array will offset the equivalent of more than 16,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime; and, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, the campus has undertaken multiple LEED-certified lab renovations, with over 80% participation in Yale’s green lab certification program.
The creation of the Yale Landscape Lab is the latest step to open up the full scale of West Campus’ 136 acres, providing increased access to students and scholars for numerous research and learning collaborations in health, ecology, engineering and social innovation, with partners that now span over 20 schools, departments and organizations at Yale.
Faculty, staff and students took advantage of the beautiful fall morning to tour a selection of YLL collaborative projects - including the Wikihouse, agro-forestry orchard, and experimental grassland - and also taste local maple syrup and honey produced on campus in partnership with student group Bee Space.
Alongside Yale Human Resources, New Haven community volunteers and the Urban Resources Initiative, the day’s celebrations were rounded off with some strenuous tree planting in honor of staff service at Yale.