Thanks so much to everyone who came to our presentation yesterday! We hope we were able to spark some much-needed discussion about how we, the students, manage the resources available to us; your interest, support, and feedback is what ultimately drives these positive changes we're trying to make. 

   There is still a week and a half left in the summer, though, and we are still working hard to tie up all loose ends. However, we figured we'd take some time to update you all on the progress our projects have made in the recent days.
Picture
A sketch of some preliminary landscape design for the area.
   On the landscaping front, we've been doing a LOT of research on what plants to put in that (currently rather ugly) area across from the soccer fields. We're planning on doing a generally three-tiered design, where there will be a small tree species in the top tier, high-bush blueberries in the middle tier, and a smaller perennial in the lowest tier. The picture on the left illustrates the rough design for this landscaping project. Unfortunately, though we have researched many plants, we're still having trouble finding species that everyone involved in the project can agree upon. It is rather difficult to find native, bee-friendly plants that prefer the full sun and dry/slightly acidic soil of the area, and yet still appear to be attractive to everyone; but we are strongly encouraging compromise in the interest of see the project reach completion before we run out of time. The important thing for you to all know now is that there will be a day in September where everyone is invited to come help plant these new landscape additions. It will be a great opportunity to contribute to the Olin community and get your hands dirty!

   A second project we've been focusing on lately is getting reusable mugs and takeout boxes for the dining hall. We took a field trip to Emerson college and met with the food service director there; she showed us around and gave us a rundown of how Emerson's reusable takeout box program works. Their program has been highly successful, so we figured we could take a leaf from their book. Unfortunately, because Olin is so small and unique, many things that work at Emerson--like requiring people to pay in order to use the reusable options--might not fly as smoothly here. Nevertheless, we've been able to put together a reasonable plan for the first iteration of this program. It should be implemented sometime in the fall, ideally by the beginning of the semester. However, we are still waiting to hear back from the Needham Health Board so that we know whether our program will be approved or whether we'll have to redesign it.
   Thanks for reading, and keep in mind that although the summer is fast coming to a close, what we've started with these and the rest of our projects is just beginning. 



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    Mission

     GrOW represents the  sustainability cause on the campus of Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. The club is comprised of a group of students who are dedicated to the sustainability cause. It is our mission to ensure that the resources of both the college and environment are used in a more sustainable fashion. It is our main goal to ___.  Directing this club is our team  of leaders: Ben Chapman, Steph Northway, Anne-Marie Buchenan, and Gaby Waldman-Fried. 
    This blog will___
    We will listen to everyone's ideas and use them to design new ways to improve Olin. Check back often for updates on our projects!

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