GCU Receives Environmental Honors

Research on cutting-edge projects to reduce pollution recently earned Georgian Court University in Lakewood the Governor's Environmental Excellence Award.

One of two unique sustainability projects currently being researched involves testing new Storm Water Basin designs to determine which works best at not only collecting water and preventing flooding, but also stopping pollution, according to Louise Wootton, Ph.D., director of sustainability and chair of the biology department at GCU.

"A new design that we're working on at Georgian Court has a secondary function at removing nutrients, which is a big problem for Barnegat Bay, which is our local watershed," said Wootton.

The other project involves working on a new design for Rain Gardens, used to help curb flood water, that also can control pollution.

GCU’s comprehensive approach to sustainability was highlighted during a ceremony hosted by the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin applauded the winners at the December 8 ceremony in Trenton. The annual awards program highlights winners chosen by a panel of judges who review and score nominations that feature unique or valuable environmental projects and activities. Georgian Court, which won in the Healthy & Sustainable Communities category, was one of two universities honored among the 12 GEEA recipients.

"This is a tremendous honor for GCU,” said Wootton. “It’s a testament to the leadership of S. Rosemary Jeffries, who was among the first university presidents to sign on to the ACUPCC agreement, setting the course for the university to become carbon neutral by 2050, as well as to commitment of all at GCU who have been working to make GCU more sustainable.”

Wootton credited campus-wide support for GCU's successful sustainability practices.

"The students are who made it so that we have the highest recycling rate that we've ever had. 75 percent of the materials on campus are recycled, and that couldn't be done without every individual on campus doing their part," added Wootton.