Past Events
University Climate Action Plan to be Highlighted in Tour for Urban Planners - September 28, 2017
While at Minnesota State Mankato, tour attendees will see examples of energy efficient lighting, and a water bottle filling station; visit the Campus Kitchen garden and a bicycle repair station; see examples of daylighting and composting at the University Dining Center; see energy-efficient boilers; and see and learn about electric charging stations, solar panels and the University’s car-sharing program.
Conference Booklet (PDF)
28th Annual Leonard A. Ford Lectureship with Sarah Hobbie“Interacting global element cycles: Nitrogen constraints on the changing global carbon cycle - September 18 - 10am - Ostrander
17th Annual Flower Planting & Campus Beautification Day
- Wednesday, May 10th (Thursday, May 11th – weather back-up)
- 11:30 a.m. – Check-in (hot dogs served and tool pickup)
- Performing Arts Plaza
- Facilities Management will kick off the event at 11:30 with a delicious hot dog and chips lunch served up by Facilities Management staff on the Performing Arts Plaza. At 12:00 our “Volunteer Teams” will be assigned their area for planting, cleanup, raking, etc.
- Contact Becky Gahler by Friday, April 28th rebecca.gahler@mnsu.edu Questions? Call Becky @ ext. 2267
Maverick Day of Service - Earth Day
- Saturday, April 22, 2017
- 8:30am-12noon
- Clean up campus.
Earth Day 2017
- Saturday, April 22, 2017
RecycleMania
- Sunday, February 5 - Saturday, April 1, 2017
RecycleMania - Game Day
- Saturday, February 18, 2017
- Basketball Games
- 6pm & 8pm
Before the Flood
- November 1, 2016
- The Minnesota State Mankato Zoology Club will be putting on a screening of the documentary "Before the Flood" on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7:45 p.m. in Ostrander Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
- The event is free and open to the campus and public.
- Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and sponsored by National Geographic, the documentary aims to bring awareness to climate change.
- After the movie there will be a panel discussion with local climate change experts to discuss the film and climate change as a whole.
- “Before the Flood” viewing packs Ostrander Auditorium
- February 7 - April 2
16th Annual Flower Planting & Campus Beautification Day
- Tuesday, May 3rd (Wednesday, May 4th – weather back-up)
- 11:30am – Check-in (hot dogs served and tool pickup)
- Performing Arts Plaza
- Facilities Management will kick off the event at 11:30 with a delicious hot dog and chips lunch served up by Facilities Management staff on the Performing Arts Plaza. At 12:00 our “Volunteer Teams” will be assigned their area for planting, cleanup, raking, etc.
- Contact Becky Gahler by Friday, April 29th rebecca.gahler@mnsu.edu Questions? Call Becky @ ext. 2267
Sustainability Expo 2016
Environmental Committee
- Friday, March 18, 2016
- 10-11am
- CSU191
This Changes Everything Film
RecycleMania - Game Day
- February 19, 2016
- Basketball Games
- 6pm & 8pm
GIS Day - November 18, 2015
Social Justice Film Series Continues for Fall 2015 - Community Engagement
The Good Food Revolution by Will Allen
- MSU Common Read
- 7:30pm - CSU Ballroom
- November 10, 2015
The Necessity of Sustainable Agriculture for Health Communities in Rural Minnesota 
- George Boody, Executive Director of the Land Stewardship Project
- Wednesday October 21, 2015
- CSU Ostrander Auditorium
- 4-6pm
- MavTube Video
Oct. 30: Geography Colloquium to Feature National Experts on Climate Observation
AASHE 2015 Annual Conference
- October 26-28, 2015
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Climate Minnesota Convening
- Monday, September 21
- 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
- South Central College
- free and open to the public
Campus Beautification - May 5, 2015
Earth Day - April 22, 2015
RecycleMania
- February 1 - March 28th
RecycleMania - Game Day
- Friday, February 13, 2015
- Basketball Games
- 6pm & 8pm
- Volunteer
- We won last year!!
- The Contest
RecycleMania Table - CSU
- Friday, November 14, 2014
- 12-1pm
- CSU
Department of Geography - Colloquia - Fall 2014 (PDF)
Climate Action Plan Kickoff Workshop
- September 24, 2014
- 8:30am - 9:30am
- Centennial Student Union Ballroom
- More Information
Campus and Community Fair - Sept. 4
6th Annual Dam Bike Ride to Rapidan
- Wednesday, June 18, 2014 (June 25, 2014 rain date)
- Meet at CSU Main Entrance @ 3pm
- Bike to Rapidan Dam
- Eat at Dam Store
- 10.5 miles one way
- Bike on the a href="http://www.blueearthcountymn.gov/facilities/Facility/Details/7">Red Jacket Trail
- Greater Mankato Bike Map (PDF)
- We will meet at the fountain on campus and make the 10.5 mile excursion to the Dam Store for pie and H20. Once our bellies are filled with sugar and "fuel" (water) we will head back to campus!
Campus Beautification - May 6, 2014
Earth Day - April 22, 2014
Information Table in CSU
- April 22, 2014
- CSU Main Level
- 11:30-1pm
- Recyclemania Results
Sustainability Expo 2014
- April 5, 2014
- 10am-4pm
- CSU Ballroom
RecycleMania
- February 2 - March 29th
Information Table in CSU
- March 20, 2014
- CSU Main Level
- 11-1pm
- Recyclemania containers
- Signup Sheets
- Free Pizza
Dr. Deborah Swackhamer
- Watch on MavTube
- Images from Presentation
- Water Sustainability: Planning for Future Generations
- Professor of Science, Technology and Public Policy Co-Director of the Water Resources Center University of Minnesota
- Wednesday, February 5, 2014
- 12-2pm
- Centennial Student Union, Ostrander Auditorium
- Free and open to the public
- Parking: Visitors may park in the Pay Lot and receive a free pass at the presentation
Dr. Swackhamer is the lead author of the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework, a first-ever, comprehensive report commissioned by the 2009 Minnesota Legislature and designed to protect and preserve Minnesota lakes, rivers and groundwater for the 21st century and beyond.
ESC Minnesota Chapter Minnesota's NEW Guaranteed Energy Saving Program Educational Workshop
- November 6, 2013 - 9AM to 3:30PM - Mankato, MN
From Triclosan to Dioxins: How your hand soap leads to an unanticipated environmental problem
- William Arnold, professor of civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, will deliver two lectures at Minnesota State University, Mankato on Monday, Oct. 28 as part of the 24th annual Leonard A. Ford Lectureship.
- Arnold will give a general talk at 7:30pm in Centennial Student Union’s Ostrander Auditorium
- Prior to his evening lecture, Arnold will give a technical talk at 10 a.m. in the Trafton Science Center (Room TR C124) entitled, “Abiotic Transformations of Pesticides in Prairie Potholes,” in which Arnold will discuss why the prairie pothole region in central North America is one the most extensively altered ecosystems on earth.
- Both lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Christine Cords by phone at 507-389-1963 or by email at christine.cords@mnsu.edu.
Pesticides in Wetlands and Effect of Personal Care Product Chemicals on Environment
- William Arnold, professor of civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, will deliver two lectures at Minnesota State University, Mankato on Monday, Oct. 28 as part of the 24th annual Leonard A. Ford Lectureship.
- 7:30 p.m. in Centennial Student Union’s Ostrander Auditorium titled “From Triclosan to Dioxins: How your hand soap leads to an unanticipated environmental problem.”
SE CERT Mankato & Gustavus Clean Energy Tour Clean Energy Resource Teams
- Friday, October 11, 2013
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (CDT)
- Mankato, MN
Carbon Footprint Analysis
- Tuesday, September 24, 2013
- 11-12am
- CSU 202
- Report (PDF)
- Mankato Free Press (online)
- Mankato Free Press (PDF)
- KEYC
Campus and Community Fair - Sept. 4
Dam Bike Ride to Rapidan
- Tuesday, July 23, 2013
- Meet at CSU Main Entrance @ 3pm
- Bike to Rapidan Dam
- Eat at Dam Store
- 10.5 Miles one way
- Bike on the Red Jacket Trail
- Greater Mankato Bike Map (PDF)
- We will meet at the fountain on campus and make the 10.5 mile excursion to the Dam Store for pie and H20. Once our bellies are filled with sugar and "fuel" (water) we will head back to campus!
Residential Life - Dumpster Diversion Program
The Dumpster Diversion Program collects useful items you would otherwise throw away and diverts them to area thrift stores so they can be used by others. This popular program is a joint venture of the Department of Residential Life and serveral non-profits including Habitat for Humanity ReStore and MVAC Again Thrift & More Store.
Available during these times:
- Thursday, May 9, 9am - 5pm
- Friday, May 10, 9am - 5pm
May is National Bike Month
- Bike-to-Work Week 2013: May 13-17, 2013
- Bike-to-Work Day - Friday, May 17, 2013
- University Map (select Bicycle Racks)
- Bicycling Resources
- Mankato Area Bike Walk Week Events (PDF)
Earth Day - April 22, 2013
- Display and resources in CSU
- Learn about MSU's Recycling
- Recycle electronic items: accept any small electronics such as small printers, cell phones, phones, dvd players, VCR, alarm clocks, calculators, watches keyboards, mice, computer towers etc.
- Library Materials (PDF)
- Poster (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (PPT)
- earthday.org
- Pictures
Climate Change and Clean Energy Solutions in Minnesota
- Tuesda, April 23, 2013
- 7pm
- Free and Open to the Public
- J. Drake Hamilton, Fresh Energy science policy director
- St. John's Episcopal Church, 302 Warrent Street
- Poster (PDF)
Facilities - Earth Day and Flower Planting Day
- Wednesday, May 7, 2013 (changed from May 8th)
- 12:30pm Brownies, Rice Crispy Bars, Lemonade and Water will be Served on the Mall by the Large Planter
- 1:00 Planting & Clean-up Begins
- Sign-Up Form (PDF)
- Pictures
- Gardens
Booth at Resource Fair
- Wednesday, January 30, 2013
- CSU Ballroom
Jonathan Bloom, Author, American Wasteland.
- Centennial Student Union
- 7pm
- To discuss food production and waste in the USA.
- November 13, 2012
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week - November 2012
Mark Seeley, U of M Climatologist
Geography Dept Fall 2012 Colloquia
2012 International BioEnergy Days - October 8th-9th
The IBED conference is about reporting on the latest innovative projects that fit business needs. Enroll to meet with the business people from Sweden and the U.S. Take the opportunity to share ideas and make new business connections.
- Program highlights include:
- Biomass for residential and district heating and cooling
- BioGas, liquid biofuels and biorefinery products
- Economics of bioenergy
- Biomaterials
Conference speakers on October 8 and 9 include:
- Colleen Landkamer; Minnesota State Director, USDA Rural Development, “Renewable Energy Spurs Job Creation and Innovation”
- Fran Swain; Strategic Development Manager for POET, “The Future is Now - Integrated Biorefineries”
- Don Shelby, BringMetheNews and former news reporter and WCCO Anchor, “Breaking away: Achieving Energy Security with Renewable Resources”
- Dr. William Strauss; President of FutureMetrics, “The Dollars and Sense of BioEnergy”
- Will Steger, Arctic and Antarctic Explorer, “Linking Economics to My Personal Observations on Climate Change”
Southern Minnesota Study Tour to follow the conference on October 10th.
internationalbioenergydays.com
Minnesota Modeling and Simulation Center
- Modeling Parking Demand on Campus
- Presentation by Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah, a second year Graduate Student at the Urban and Regional Studies Institute who recently completed his thesis on "Modeling Parking Demand - A Systems Approach to Parking Policy Analysis on Campus
- CSU202
- 12 - 1pm
- October 5, 2012
- Free
- Brown bag lunch event
Dam Bike Ride to Rapidan
- Tuesday, June 19, 2012
- Meet at CSU Fountain Area @ 3pm
- Bike to Rapidan Dam
- Eat at Dam Store
- 10.5 Miles one way
- Bike on the Red Jacket Trail
- Greater Mankato Bike Map (PDF)
- We will meet at the fountain on campus and make the 10.5 mile excursion to the Dam Store for pie and H20. Once our bellies are filled with sugar and "fuel" (water) we will head back to campus!
Earth Day 2012 @ MSU - May 2, 2012
- Meet @ 12 Noon - The Earley Center for Performing Arts
- Hot Dogs & Chips served
- 12:30pm - Planting and Clean-up Begins
- MSU Facilities Management cordially invites YOU to help us observe EARTH DAY 2012. An annual celebration here at MSU, we observe this day by improving our campus environs. New this year, a carefully selected blend of more sustainable, less water consumptive perennials will replace a portion of the shorter-lived, water and labor intensive annuals. The blooming period will be extended and water will be conserved through this initiative.
- Come join your friends and colleagues for this time of fun, food and beautification on our campus. Volunteers will be treated to a 12 Noon kickoff snack of hot dogs and chips, followed by an afternoon of improvement projects such as preparation of beds, planting flowers and collecting litter. Old growth will be composted and returned to the earth to help fertilize future plantings.
- Wisconsin State Fair BLUE RIBBON WINNING HOT DOGS are being donated in support of the event by R J’s Meats, of Hudson, Wisconsin.
- Please join us in celebrating EARTH DAY, while making Minnesota State University's campus sparkle.
- Respond to Donna Hensel as to who is participating, whether you plan to clean-up or plant, and if you would like a specific area.
Arctic explorer/environmental witness to speak about polar travels and climate change
- February 28, 2012
- 4:30-6pm
- Ostrander Auditorium in the Centennial Student Union
- MSU Reporter Article
Greek Life students coordinating initiative to help Ronald McDonald House - February 10, 2012
Built Environment and Construction Conference - February 2, 2012
Geography Colloquim - Fall 2011
Modeling the Hydrological Effects of Land Use Change
- Dr. Howard Wheater, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan, and Director of the Global Institute for Water Security
- This free event is open to the public including interested students and faculty. A short presentation will be followed by questions and discussion.
- Sponsored by: Minnesota Modeling and Simulation Center
- Come with or without your lunch to:
- AH 13, 12 to 1pm
- November 4, 2011
Big Ideas Campaign Kickoff
- CSU Ballroom
- October 27, 2011
- 10am
- mnsu.edu/bigideascampaign
- Video
- Minnesota State Mankato announces its biggest campaign
- Big Ideas Campaign kicks off with $75 million goal
- Green Highlights
- One Big Ideas Campaign opportunity is a new College of Business Global Solutions Center. The center, to be housed in a new wing of Morris Hall, will provide space for cross-disciplinary research teams of faculty, staff and students who will examine solutions to global problems such as water quality, energy consumption and health care.
- The campaign also seeks to create a Purple-and-Gold-Into-Green Fund that will encourage research into new sustainable living products and procedures.
- Environmental Humanities
- CSET
- Water Management and Conservation, Passive and Active Water Filtration
- Renewable Energy, Transportation and Green Construction
The Minnesota Modeling and Simulation Center (canceled)
- The presenter, Dr. Michael Pasqualetti, is not available on that day
- Brown Bag Lunch on Renewable Energy
- Dr. Michael Pasqualetti, Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University.
- His areas of expertise include renewable energy, energy landscapes, emerging technologies, and alternative fuels.
- This free event is open to the public including interested students and faculty. A short presentation will be followed by questions and discussion.
- Come with or without your lunch to:
- AH 13
- 12 to 1 pm
- October 7, 2011
MSU Fair Trade Campaign
- Birdsong & Coffee: A Wake Up Call in Ostrander Auditorium on October 6th at 5pm
- Lee Wallace, owner of Peace Coffee, will speak on Oct. 11th from 5pm-6:30pm in CSU 253
-
- How Fair Trade works in the world of International Relations:
- Is it possible for a company to be ethical, sustainable, and still play a part in the global market all while producing a profitable business in this economy?
- Lee Wallace, CEO of Peace Coffee in Minneapolis Minnesota, runs a fair trade coffee company and will be speaking on this issue. If you are curious on how the fair trade model really works in the world market, in these economic times, please come and join us for this presentation. This event is free and open to MSU and the public. Questions are welcome!
Environmental Committee
- Wednesday, September 21, 2011 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
- CSU 123
The Envision 2020 Energy Conservation Task Force - Sept. 21, 2011
- Presentation by J. Michael Orange of the Minnesota Climate Change Corps regarding community greenhouse gas inventories. Michael will be discussing community-wide greenhouse gas inventories and the benefits they can offer communities in becoming more sustainable and environmentally-conscious. The Energy Conservation Task Force has been working on such an assessment much of this year.
- Wednesday, September 21st, 1pm – 2pm, with time for questions and discussion after
- Location: City of Mankato Intergovernmental Center, 10 Civic Center Plaza, Blue Earth River Room (First Floor, located behind elevator)
- Parking is available via several nearby parking ramps.
- The Minnesota Climate Change Corps is an initiative of the Minnesota Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program, and is funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Leonard A. Ford Lectureship Monday, Sept. 19, 2011
- Environmental geochemist George Helz will discuss advances in environmental chemistry& during the 22nd annual Leonard A. Ford Lectureship Monday, Sept. 19.
- His talk, “Environmental Chemistry in the Half Century since Silent Spring,” will be at 7:30 p.m. in Ostrander Auditorium of Centennial Student Union. It is free and open to students, faculty, staff and the public.
- Helz, chemistry/biochemistry professor emeritus at the University of Maryland, also will discuss how scientists can improve the treatment of wastewater in a technical talk for students and faculty, “Making Chlorine Greener,” at 11 a.m. in Ostrander Auditorium.
- The annual Ford lecture is sponsored by the Department of Chemistry & Geology. Those who want more information may contact Christine Cords (Registrar) at 507-389-1963 or email christine.cords@mnsu.edu.
Campus Community Fair - August 31, 2011
- Stop by the Environmental Committee booth to learn all about MSU "Green"
- 10am - 1pm
- Myers Field House of Taylor Center.
- MSU news bit about the fair
- Greater Mankato Campus & Community Fair
Welcome Week 2011 - August 19, 2011
Go Green! Join the MSU Environmental Committee for an eco-tour around campus (AH 216) from 10-11am. Learn about campus environmental practices and how to reduce your carbon footprint while as student.
Dam Bike Ride to Rapidan
- Wednesday, June 22, 2011
- Meet at CSU Fountain Area @ 3pm
- Bike to Rapidan Dam
- Eat at Dam Store
- 13 Miles one way
- Bike on the Red Jacket Trail
- Greater Mankato Bike Map (PDF)
- June 29 rain date
- Sponsored by Student Activities
May is National Bike Month
- Bike-to-Work Week 2011 - May 16-20, 2011
- Bike-to-Work Day - Friday, May 20, 2011
- MSU Bike Racks | Map (PDF)
- Share the Road
- Five Steps to Riding Better
- Bike Friendly Campus Resources
Facilities Earth Day and Flower Planting Day
- Wednesday, May 4, 2011
- 12:00 Hot Dogs and Chips served
- Meet on the Mall by the Large Planter
- 12:30 Planting & Clean-up Begins
- Pictures
- MSU Gardens
Water Resource Center - Open House
- Monday, April 25, 2011 2:00-4:30pm
- TS 189
Earth Day - April 22, 2011
Aveda Vice President Chuck Bennett to discuss ‘Green Leadership’ April 14, 2011
Tapped (film) - Ostrander Auditorium, 2 - 4pm, April 14, 2011
Construction Showcase
- More than 100 students and 50 industry representatives are expected at the Construction Products Showcase Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom.
- The event is being coordinated by the Construction Management Department.
- Exhibits will be open from 11:30am to 1pm Seminars starting at 10am will include "Designing with Solid Surfaces" by Sarah Elliott of LG Hausys America; "Environmental Issues" by Chris Anderson of USG Building Systems; "Selective Coatings" by Ken Modeen of Marvin Windows and Doors; and "Windows in Sustainable Design" by Jay Sandgren of Andersen Windows.
Festi Food Drive
- Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
- In the Lower Level of the MSU Student Union
- 7pm - midnight
- Live Local Music including:
- Murder on the Moon, Shotgun Fiction, Dr. Lee and the Terminally Chill and Pat, Ryan and Luke from Useful Jenkins
- Admission:
- 3 food or toiletry items/$3 as a suggested donation.
- No one will be turned away!
- Drive will benefit:
- ECHO food shelf
- Campus Kitchen
- the local Food Not Bombs organization
- PRIZE DRAWING
- Each additional item donated after the first three will get your name entered for a chance to win a prize!
- Must be present to win. Drawing will be held at the end of the event.
Fair Trade Campus and Events
- Buyer Be Fair movie showing
- Presentation by director
- October 18, 2010
- 2pm
- Ostrander Auditorium
Sustainability Education Session
- August 20, 2010
- AH225
- 10:00am - 11:00am
- Join the MSU Environmental Committee and Students for Sustainability for an eco-tour around campus. Learn about campus environmental practices and how to reduce your carbon footprint while as a student. Locations on the visit will include the Amos Owen Native American Garden, campus wind generator site, and University Dining.
- Memorial Library Sustainability Resources (PDF)
Ribbon Cutting Center of Renewable Energy (CORE) Research Lab.
- September 23, 2010
- 421 Malin Street (parking lot behind Wiecking Center)
- The $1.8-million, 6,300-square-foot Center of Renewable Energy has been under construction since November 2009 on the northwest corner of the campus, near Wiecking Center.
- Approximately 4,800 square feet of the center will be used by the Minnesota Center for Automotive Research, as an emissions laboratory for testing on- and off-road vehicles powered by a variety of fuels and hybrid systems.
- Another 1,500 square feet is for International Renewable Energy Technology Institute (IRETI) testing of combustible solid fuel and biogas building heating units.
- KEYC Story
- Pictures
Connect by Hertz Car Rental On Campus
- Available to students age 18+
- No Gas or Insurance Charges - Its all Included!
- Rent by the hour or by the day starting at $8/hr
- connectbyhertz.com
