Virginia Tech was named one of the Best of Green Schools 2013 by the Center for Green Schools, part of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Virginia Tech was recognized in the Best Collaboration category for the annual Celebrate Sustainability event (formerly known as Sustainability Week) that occurs on campus and around Blacksburg each September.

The Best of Green Schools list recognizes the work being done across the country to make schools better and honors the best examples in the green schools movement.

Celebrate Sustainability is a “green partnership” between the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, and the local citizen’s group Sustainable Blacksburg. It seeks to highlight the work that the town and the university have done in advancing sustainability in our community, and reducing the area’s environmental footprint.

“Sustainability Week was introduced in October 2007, and it continues to be a tremendous success” said Denny Cochrane, Virginia Tech Sustainability Program Manager.  “This marked the seventh year for this program and we are excited to continue to highlight the many accomplishments in the Blacksburg community for years to come.” 

The 2013 Celebrate Sustainability included a tree-planting event on campus; an Active Commute Celebration; tours of the Dining Services Garden at Kentland Farm, the Hahn Horticulture Garden, and the Glade Road Growing Farm; a Sustainable Celebration at the Blacksburg Farmers Market; and the unveiling of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification plaque for Lavery Hall.

"The Best of Green Schools 2013 list represents exemplary leadership from schools, campuses, students, policy makers and more who are raising the bar when it comes to creating healthy, safe and resource-efficient schools,” said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC.

Learn more about sustainability at Virginia Tech.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

Written by Emily Schosid.
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