Your Earth Month roundup and sustainability updates from the Office of Sustainability

Spring 2026 Newsletter 

STARS

In May 2025, Skidmore submitted its third Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) report. STARS, a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), is a transparent, self-reporting framework that measures sustainability performance across academics, engagement, operations, planning, and administration. 

Skidmore earned a STARS Silver rating, highlighting environmental action initiatives in teaching and learning, student programs, and operational initiatives. Key achievements include 65% of departments offering sustainability courses, 47% of campus building spaces using geothermal heating and cooling, and 20% of electricity sourced from solar and hydropower.

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‌In recent years, we have created a Sustainable Landscape Plan, expanded our compost program, established an energy metering project, and developed a sustainability living learning community for first-year students. 

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A‌ big thank you to Margot Kelly ’25 and Colson Warren ’26 who played key roles in the data collection and submission process. 

Student-led Sustainability

Student Programs

‌Our summer North Woods Stewards Dharma Crabtree ’27 and Liam McCarthy ’27 conducted a study on methods to remove invasive burning bush. Garden Manager Ezri Rubenstein-Miller ’28 had a wonderful season selling 243 pounds of produce to Skidmore Dining and increased engagement at Garden Parties. Ella Wacks ’28 revamped our employee engagement training, hosted sustainability events for staff, and created the Sustainable Superstars recognition program. Compost Managers Klara Burkhart-Spiegel ’28, Leah Haveson ’27, and Zak Maxey ’27 expanded participation at Compost Parties and presented at the ADK Youth Climate summit. Colson Warren ’26 is completing Skidmore’s 2025 greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. Calvin Gramling ’28 led a tree planting event for Arbor Day.

Recycle Right

Reed Moffitt ’28 has been leading the effort to improve recycling on Skidmore’s campus through waste system standardization and community outreach. He conducted an audit of all waste bins in academic buildings and developed a new signage strategy. Our EcoMore Team (Molly Borenstein ’28, Anabella Cartiera ’27, Rachel Entin-Bell ’27, Laurie Fleming ’28, Michaela Kablik ’26, Jenna Loveman ’26, Justin Pollard ’27, Rachel Scholl ’26, and Deborah Vigh ’28) implemented these new signs to improve waste education and help the community properly sort their waste.

Green Grant

‌The SGA Green Grant is a competitive program managed by the Sustainability Commission, in collaboration with the Sustainability Office, to support student-led initiatives that improve campus life and the environment. 

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‌Rachel Entin-Bell ’27 received funding to install bird-strike prevention film on campus buildings to reduce collisions. Justin Pollard ’27 was awarded a grant to cultivate mushrooms. Zak Maxey ’27 used funds to repair and paint Adirondack chairs for community use on campus grounds.

Upcoming Events

Beats 4 Beets and Geo Trees

Join us from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Community Garden for a combined Beats 4 Beets and Geo Trees Unveiling event. The Geothermal Sculpture Unveiling will be at 2:30 p.m., followed by our human borefield exhibit. Sign up here to participate as one of our 102 human bores!

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‌‌What is a Geo Tree? A Geo Tree (a Skidmore creation) is a metal, tree-like sculpture that represents the geothermal borefield underground at each location. 

The Geo Trees project combines science, art, and communication in service to our educational mission and environmental values. The project aims to reveal and bring awareness to the invisible geothermal systems on our campus. 

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‌Skidmore first began installing ground-source heat pump systems in 2006. Now, two decades later, with three district systems and 23 stand-alone systems covering 33 buildings, nearly half (47%) of campus building space is heated and cooled with geothermal energy.

Give+Go

From April 28 to May 17, students can donate unopened non-perishable food, clothing, and gently used home goods to be distributed to our local nonprofit partners: Backstretch, Franklin Community Center, Grassroots Givers, and Capital City Rescue Mission. Read more about it on the Give+Go website.

Skidmore College

 815 North Broadway

 Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866

 518-580-5000