Green grants available for Lehigh students

With Earth Day approaching, students have an opportunity to make their voices heard and receive financial support for the continued greening of Lehigh’s campus.

The Lehigh Environmental Advisory Group (LEAG) is offering one-time grants of up to $2,000 to students who want to make Lehigh a more sustainable campus. Members of LEAG are looking for projects that show a commitment to campus greening and environmental sustainability; have the potential to achieve green results; demonstrate a cost-effective use of funds; provide a measurable benefit; and encourage student participation. 

Students wishing to apply should go to the application on the Hub. (You will first need to log in.)  Students must also have the support of one Lehigh faculty or staff member. Deadlines for submissions are April 15, 2010, October 1, 2010, and February 1, 2011.

The idea to create a Green Fund, an internal grant-making entity to seed new project ideas that support the goals and objectives of LEAG, came out of discussions with students, faculty and staff. 

Students are leading the green movement on college campuses across the country, said Peggy Plympton, co-chair of LEAG. Lehigh students are smart and resourceful, and we look forward to their ideas for making a positive impact on the campus community.

Cost savings associated with each project will be returned to the Green Fund to continue efforts. Students who receive grants will be asked to make a presentation to LEAG on how the funds were used and the progress that resulted. Students with questions can contact Matthew Melillo, treasurer of Green Action and a member of LEAG. Green Action, a student environmental group on campus, will be coordinating student applications.

Since forming in the spring of 2008, LEAG has worked with students, staff and faculty and with many Lehigh departments to reduce consumption and to reuse and recycle whenever possible. Since its inception, the organization has worked with many groups and offices on campus to support the implementation of single-stream recycling; recycling of used engine oil, antifreeze and vehicle tires; the compilation of a Green House Gas inventory; the use of recycled papers and soy-based inks; and increasing the number of green office supply purchases.