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New Mexico State University

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Preservation, conservation top priorities for NMSU community
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Preservation, conservation top priorities for NMSU community.

The entire Aggie family enthusiastically supports preservation of the globe’s fragile eco-system and shows it in activism, research and policies. Students host Earth Day celebrations, build solar cars and compete in recycling contests. NMSU faculty win recognition from conservationists, and the administration pledges to increase already commendable “green” policies.

The student club OASIS (Organic Agricultural Students Inspiring Sustainability) focuses on creating awareness of sustainable practices and networks with city and county organizations in order to involve members of the community. In fact, OASIS hosts a bike hike and family-oriented Earth Day celebration every year in April.

Another group, the Associated Students of NMSU, makes recycling a priority. Keen supporters of the Aggie Recycling Program, the group expects a 10 percent increase in overall recycling levels by fall 2009. ASNMSU also is working with the transportation office to expand the Aggie shuttle service. Meanwhile, transportation services policy is to purchase vehicles, whenever feasible, that run on alternative fuels.

Everyone got involved in RecycleMania, a 10-week-long national contest to see which college or university came out ahead in different challenges, including who collected the largest amount of recyclables or generated the least amount of trash per capita. When the results were tallied, the Aggies claimed 3rd- and 5th-place honors in two of the three categories they entered.

NMSU is committed to being green. In 2007, President Mike Martin signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, reinforcing NMSU’s dedication to promoting climate neutrality, sustainability and energy conservation. The Southwest Technology Development Institute, operating within the College of Engineering, manages the solar-car construction project and is exploring methods for evaluating geothermal resources in the Rio Grande river bed. Professor of Civil Engineering A. Salim Bawazir’s documentation of the water savings possible from the control of salt cedar trees earned him the title of Outstanding Conservationist for 2007 from the Sierra Soil and Water Conservation District of New Mexico.

Members from all levels of the university administration, as well as students, serve on the Sustainability and Climate Change Taskforce. Charged with developing policies and procedures regarding climate neutrality, the taskforce is looking for better ways to accomplish NMSU’s green goals, whether through educating the next generation of the Earth’s stewards, innovative technology or old-fashioned volunteerism.

Working to protect and preserve the Earth’s ecosystem is a critical undertaking. NMSU is proud of its track record and invites the Las Cruces community to join in the fun and challenges ahead!