Newsletter November 2023

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Autumn Sustainability Strides

Audrey McSain Director of Sustainability at Lehigh University

As autumn settles on campus, I'm excited to share our latest sustainability strides. Our focus on sustainable transportation, energy conservation, and local sourcing has defined this semester's initiatives. 

This semester has been one of celebration with events and programs highlighting Lehighs’ continued commitment toward more eco-friendly transit and year-round sourcing of fresh, local food for the Lehigh Community.

As we celebrate Energy Conservation Month, we want to take the opportunity to remember how individual actions can be leveraged into campus-wide reductions, underscoring the power of collective action. 

Thank you for your tireless contributions to everything we do. We truly could not do what we do, without all of you! 

-Audrey McSain, Director of Sustainability

Lehigh Launches a New Bike Share

On Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 Lehigh launched a new way to get around the Lehigh Campus and Lehigh Valley: the goLehigh BikeShare!

Created by Parking and Transportation Services, in partnership with Lehigh Sustainability, the goLehigh BikeShare program consists of a fleet of 30 bikes available in small, medium, and large sizes for students, staff, faculty, and visitors of Lehigh’s campus to use. The bikes are located across the 3 parking garages and pavilions on Asa Packer Campus...READ MORE!

When Every Day is Car-Free Day

Every September Lehigh celebrates Car-Free Day, a worldwide event that encourages individuals to use sustainable methods of transportation, if only for a day. This year’s Car-Free Day on September 22nd saw an increase of nearly 17 percent in people pledging to observe the day over the previous year. Most of them chose to forgo their usual methods of transportation in favor of walking, taking public transportation, or carpooling...READ MORE!

LUAG Collaborates with the Bethlehem Farmers’ Market for Taste of Art

Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) partnered with the Bethlehem Farmers’ Market (BFM) for their Taste of Art Program Series. Taste of Art brings together culture and history by pairing local SouthSide Bethlehem cuisine and recipes with works of art from LUAG’s permanent art collection...READ MORE!

Willow Haven CSA Year-Around Offerings

It’s been over a year since the Willow Haven Market Box CSA program was launched at Lehigh. Geared towards faculty and staff, the program conveniently delivers fresh, local, healthy food directly to Lehigh for faculty and staff each week. The customizable CSA boxes contain a wide range of farm products sourced from Willow Haven farms and other local farmers and artisans designed for “year-round deliveries with flexible scheduling” said Tessa DeMaster, co-owner of Willow Haven Farm...READ MORE!

ONGOING & UPCOMING EVENTS

Energy Conservation Month at Lehigh

November is Energy Conservation Month at Lehigh, which is an opportunity to learn and adapt new energy-saving behaviors! Take the pledge and commit to a few behaviors to cut down on your energy consumption. By working together across campus and at home, we can have a significant impact on energy conservation! Check out and have fun at all of the upcoming energy-conserving events virtually or in person! READ MORE!

Kill-A-Watt Competition

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS living on campus, participate in the Kill-a-Watt energy conservation competition between October 30th and November 17th! Reduce your personal energy usage by turning off unused lights and unplugging idle electronics. The residence hall with the lowest average energy use per resident will win a prize sponsored by Lehigh's Eco-Rep Leadership Program!

Check the online Kill-A-Watt Competition Leaderboard every Friday to see how your res hall is doing! READ MORE!

Power Down Before Leaving for Break!

Before leaving for Thanksgiving and winter break, please take a couple of minutes and power everything down! Turn off your lights and equipment, unplug all unnecessary electronics and appliances, and close windows and blinds before leaving!