Monmouth University will go carbon neutral for Earth Day and help students and area residents to do the same. On April 23, 2012, Hess Corporation’s Energy Marketing division is providing the University with Verified Emission Reductions (VERs). The carbon offsets are the equivalent of taking seven passenger cars off the road for a full year.
On April 23, Monmouth University will host an Earth Day celebration on the patio of the Student Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with NJPIRG Energy Service Corps and the Monmouth University Environmental Club. The event will have live music, giveaways, environmentally themed games, and information tables. Employees and students are invited to stop by and get a free CFL bulb while supplies last. In addition to participating in the Earth Day celebration Monmouth University’s Energy Service Corps and Environmental Club are sponsoring sustainability projects in our area including a new rain garden on Monmouth University’s campus and a tree relocation project from the College Action Team for Sustainability’s (CATS) Nursery to two campus locations for Brookdale Community College.
Also on April 21, Monmouth University’s Community Garden will hold an “Earth Day Planting” event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Volunteers are needed to plant flowers, cherry trees, and vegetables. For additional information, contact Dr. Robin Mama at communitygarden@monmouth.edu or (732) 571-3607. The Garden is located on the corner of Beechwood and Brookwillow Avenue in West Long Branch. Volunteers should bring garden gloves and tools if they have them.
Monmouth University has distinguished itself as a leader in demonstrating energy efficiency among academic institutions. Monmouth University is the first independent university in New Jersey to sign comprehensive green operation agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The University was named the New Jersey Clean Energy School of the Year in 2006 by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and received a 2007 Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board for its 2006 Solar Panel Installation Project. The University is currently installing a 600 kw Solar Panel system on seven University buildings under a Power Purchase Agreement with Torcon Energy Services.
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Media contact: Petra Ludwig at 732-263-5507