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The piece explains how soundscapes—composed of biological, human, and natural sounds—can reveal the health of ecosystems. It describes a longitudinal study of the ���߲ݴ�ý Ski Hill soundscape conducted by students and faculty, focusing on bird songs as indicators of biodiversity and environmental change. By recording and analyzing dawn and dusk soundscapes over several weeks, the researchers found evidence suggesting that rising temperatures may reduce bird song activity, as birds must expend more energy on temperature regulation rather than singing and breeding. These changes could alter migration patterns, increase competition, and threaten bird populations, evoking the idea of a future “silent spring.” The study underscores the link between climate change and ecosystem health and highlights ���߲ݴ�ý’s efforts toward carbon neutrality as part of addressing human-driven climate impacts.

���߲ݴ�ý University established two beehives at the Community Garden to support pollinators and combat Colony Collapse Disorder while engaging students in environmental stewardship. A Beekeeping Club, founded in Spring 2017 and advised by Professor Ian Helfant, maintains the hives and provides hands-on learning for over 30 student members. The bees have already improved the garden’s ecological health by pollinating crops such as herbs, raspberries, and flowers. The club hopes to expand the apiary and eventually harvest and sell honey, making the initiative both educational and beneficial to local agriculture.

Cecilia Kane reflects on their experience as a first-year Sustainability Representative (S-Rep) at ���߲ݴ�ý, where they worked with peers and the Office of Sustainability to promote environmentally responsible behaviors in their residence hall. While influencing others’ habits on campus proved challenging, the S-Rep community provided support, mentorship, and motivation. Highlights included biweekly meetings, participating in recycling efforts at campus events, and promoting initiatives like ���߲ݴ�ý Unplugged and Recyclemania. Overall, the program offered a meaningful introduction to campus sustainability and inspired the author to continue working with the Office of Sustainability, leading them to encourage other first-year students to apply.

The author shares their experience as a member of Common Thread Farm’s CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) for the second season. CSAs allow members to buy a share of a farm’s produce for the season, supporting farmers with a steady customer base while receiving fresh, local, and in-season food. Environmentally, CSAs reduce “food miles” and carbon emissions from transportation, while fostering a closer relationship with the producer. Common Thread Farm, located near ���߲ݴ�ý, follows organic practices and offers a variety of share sizes. The author enjoys the diverse, local, and sometimes rare produce provided weekly and encourages others to explore CSAs as a sustainable food option.

���߲ݴ�ý’s Community Garden is back this fall, offering fresh, locally grown produce at a farmstand in the O’Connor Campus Center on Tuesdays from 11:15 AM to 1:00 PM (Sept 5–Oct 31). The garden is expanding its community connections through a partnership with Good Nature Brewery. Students and community members can participate in open volunteer hours every Monday from 5–6 PM until October 23, as well as special volunteer work parties on September 18 and October 16. Additional events include a soil health and composting workshop on September 24 and a Halloween-themed pumpkin event on October 30. No prior gardening experience is required.

Meet the Fall 2017-Spring 2018 Interns!

The Office of Sustainability concluded the third annual Foundations of Sustainability summer session, a six-week discussion-based course bringing together 20 staff, faculty, and students from across campus. Participants explored topics ranging from ecological limits to food systems to ���߲ݴ�ý’s sustainability policies, fostering interdepartmental dialogue on personal and institutional responsibility. Weekly sustainably-sourced lunches accompanied discussions that encouraged self-reflection and behavior change. Participants reported gaining new perspectives on sustainability and personal consumption, with many noting the course inspired more conscientious daily choices. Foundations of Sustainability, along with similar courses, will continue to be offered through the new Sustainability Passport Program for staff and faculty.

Recent research highlights the profound impact of diet on human health through the gut microbiota—the trillions of microbes living in our digestive system. A diverse microbiota is linked to better overall health, but Western diets high in meat and low in fiber reduce microbial diversity, favoring species that produce TMAO, a compound associated with cardiovascular disease. Fiber-rich, plant-based diets support beneficial microbes by producing short-chain fatty acids that maintain gut lining and prevent chronic inflammation. Beyond personal health, adopting a plant-based diet also benefits the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation caused by livestock production. Overall, eating more fruits, vegetables, grains, and other fiber-rich foods nourishes both our microbiota and the environment, making conscious dietary choices a simple yet powerful way to improve health and sustainability.

The summer internship at ���߲ݴ�ý’s garden offers hands-on experience with constantly changing tasks, from tending crops to adapting to weather conditions, while also providing opportunities to visit other local farms in Madison County. A trip to Common Thread Farm gave interns a firsthand look at the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model, helping harvest Swiss chard, radishes, zucchinis, and beets, and learning about the farm’s organized harvesting system using color-coded bins and rubber bands.

Geothermal energy harnesses the Earth’s natural heat to provide clean, renewable power and heating/cooling without the pollution of fossil fuels. It can be utilized in two main ways: geothermal power plants for electricity and geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling, and hot water.