Green Campus
Spring Greening at Loyola
The flowers are blooming in Chicago, and with the arrival of spring, Loyola is implementing several projects to create greener campuses and reduce carbon emissions.
A sustainable landscaping project in front of the School of Environmental Sustainability features more than 80 species of native plants.
Campus landscaping crews are trimming fossil fuel consumption by transitioning to electric lawnmowers. The University recently purchased a stand-on electric mower and four electric walk-behind models. These mowers help maintain our quads while contributing to our climate action work. The electric lawnmowers are up to three times quieter than comparable gas mowers. Most importantly, they emit no engine exhaust, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting healthier air quality for the operator and surrounding university community. Loyola purchased the mowers under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed in 2022. This law includes a tax credit for electric vehicles, including electric mowers.
Loyola is also greening our campuses through sustainable landscaping. This year, the University worked with the environmental restoration firm Pizzo & Associates to renew the landscaping in front of the School of Environmental Sustainability. The planting features native plant species that add beauty and benefit the environment. These plants require minimal irrigation, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and help manage stormwater thanks to their deep root systems. The landscape will feature over 80 plant species, blooming across multiple seasons and contributing unique colors.
In addition to adopting greener landscaping practices, Loyola is digging deep to reduce carbon emissions with a new geothermal project on the Lake Shore Campus. The University is installing a geothermal well field in the green space east and south of Piper Hall, near Devon Avenue Beach. The system will tap into the earth's constant temperature underground to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling.
This project will reduce Loyola's energy use by 135,000 kilowatt hours annually and cut 72,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The University aims to complete the installation by the end of August 2024. After drilling is complete, the crews will establish a biodiverse garden and green space to beautify the site and improve access to the lakefront.
Finally, students can go green this spring when moving out of dorms and apartments with the Think Green and Give program. This annual charitable collection event makes it easy for students to donate gently used, clean clothing, household items, and nonperishable, unopened food and toiletries they don't want to take when leaving campus. Volunteers will collect these items during move-out, May 1 through 10. This effort saves tons of trash from going to landfills and provides vital goods for people in need.
Campus landscaping crews are trimming fossil fuel consumption by transitioning to electric lawnmowers. The University recently purchased a stand-on electric mower and four electric walk-behind models. These mowers help maintain our quads while contributing to our climate action work. The electric lawnmowers are up to three times quieter than comparable gas mowers. Most importantly, they emit no engine exhaust, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting healthier air quality for the operator and surrounding university community. Loyola purchased the mowers under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed in 2022. This law includes a tax credit for electric vehicles, including electric mowers.
Loyola is also greening our campuses through sustainable landscaping. This year, the University worked with the environmental restoration firm Pizzo & Associates to renew the landscaping in front of the School of Environmental Sustainability. The planting features native plant species that add beauty and benefit the environment. These plants require minimal irrigation, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and help manage stormwater thanks to their deep root systems. The landscape will feature over 80 plant species, blooming across multiple seasons and contributing unique colors.
In addition to adopting greener landscaping practices, Loyola is digging deep to reduce carbon emissions with a new geothermal project on the Lake Shore Campus. The University is installing a geothermal well field in the green space east and south of Piper Hall, near Devon Avenue Beach. The system will tap into the earth's constant temperature underground to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling.
This project will reduce Loyola's energy use by 135,000 kilowatt hours annually and cut 72,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The University aims to complete the installation by the end of August 2024. After drilling is complete, the crews will establish a biodiverse garden and green space to beautify the site and improve access to the lakefront.
Finally, students can go green this spring when moving out of dorms and apartments with the Think Green and Give program. This annual charitable collection event makes it easy for students to donate gently used, clean clothing, household items, and nonperishable, unopened food and toiletries they don't want to take when leaving campus. Volunteers will collect these items during move-out, May 1 through 10. This effort saves tons of trash from going to landfills and provides vital goods for people in need.