Sustainability
Sustainability
Phone: (218) 755-2560
Mailing Address:
Bemidji State University
1500 Birchmont Dr. NE, #31
Bemidji, MN 56601
BSU is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
BSU is among a select group of leaders in EPA's Green Power Partnership.
Green Building
"The green building movement needs to rethink its focus on fitting ever
more energy-saving devices into increasingly goofy buildings.
Architecture that instead taps into public tastes for tradition,
familiarity and comfort will give us places that create their own
natural preservation societies, because they are loved. Reusing old
buildings is the true green architecture. Buildings designed for decades
must give way to buildings designed for centuries." - Providence Journal
Laurel House
The Laurel House is currently unoccupied and in need of renovation. It was purchased by the BSU Foundation and was leased by BSU as a residence for students in the Honors Program. When renovation is completed the house will be a living quarters that demonstrates reduced utility house usage. The project will show the community how to obtain affordable green practices that reduce that impact on the environment and how easy it is for them to get similar things in their homes. Some examples of what the house will entail:- Energy Efficient Windows (u-factor less than 0.24)
- Water Conserving Technologies (toilets, faucets, and shower heads that conserve water. Rain barrels that catch rain water for irrigation)
- Resource Efficient Landscaping (vegetation that requires little water or maintenance, water permeable hard surfaces, rain garden to reduce runoff)
- Local Resources (use of materials that are local, to reduce transportation and help local economies)
- Low or No VOCs (use of paint, flooring, and other finishes that emit no or minimal VOCs)
"We must strive to become good ancestors."
~ Ralph Nader