AASHE’s STARS program boasts over 1,200 participants representing 58 countries, making it the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability efforts. Participants report information across five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

Senior Director of Sustainability Elaine Durr spearheads the compilation of the STARS report. “The STARS report is a comprehensive assessment of university-wide sustainability efforts and requires involvement from many individuals across campus,” Durr said. “I appreciate their contributions and collective effort.”

The STARS report illustrates that progress on Elon’s sustainability goals requires campus-wide collaboration. By breaking down categories into subcategories and credits, each with its own score, the report also serves as a practical tool for pinpointing areas of improvement and guiding future sustainability endeavors.

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “ľĂľĂČČ has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

To learn about the programs and practices that contributed to Elon’s STARS Silver rating, .

Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. This is Elon’s first report using the updated . For more information, visit the .

Rather than defaulting to chemical treatments, Elon manages the oakworms through its Integrated Pest Management Plan, which emphasizes sustainability and careful decision-making.

“From a sustainability standpoint, this shows why the Integrated Pest Management Plan we use at ľĂľĂČČ is so important,” said Hanna Smith, Botanical Garden Coordinator. “We first identify the insect that is causing damage and the plant that it is causing damage to, and then determine if control is necessary. There are many situations, such as this one, where chemical control is not warranted. This helps save the environment from unnecessary pesticide usage as well as supporting Elon’s goals of financial sustainability.”

By choosing more sustainable options for pest management – such as cultural methods (water, fertilizer, etc.), mechanical methods (hand removal), or no control at all—when possible, Elon is able to reduce pesticide use and save resources while maintaining a beautiful campus.

Elon Farmer’s Market
Thursday, Aug. 28 from 3-6 p.m.
Elon Community Church

Join us to support local farmers, enjoy fresh seasonal produce, and find unique handmade goods! Stop by the Office of Sustainability’s table to taste delicious “ugly” produce and learn how embracing imperfect fruits and veggies helps fight food waste.

Planting for the Planet
Friday, Sept. 5 from 2-4 p.m.
Elon Community Garden

Are you interested in getting involved with sustainability at Elon? Join us at the Elon Community Garden to connect with like-minded individuals and enjoy potting your own houseplant to take home.  We’ll provide plants, soil, and pots. , but drop-ins are always welcome!

Sustainability Stewards Meeting
Monday, Sept. 8 from 7-8 p.m.
Global Commons 301

Interested in getting involved in sustainability at Elon?  Join the Sustainability Stewards program to connect with like-minded individuals and promote sustainability throughout campus. .

State of the Haw
Tuesday, Sept. 9 from 6-7 p.m.
Elon Community Church

The 110-mile Haw River flows through Alamance County and provides recreational opportunities and drinking water to North Carolinians. Hear from Emily Sutton, the Haw River Keeper and Executive Director of , about the current state of the Haw River. Dinner will be provided for those who .

Kayak Clean Up
Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Saxapahaw Lake (Transportation provided)

Take care of local Saxapahaw Lake while enjoying the beauty of nature. Kayaks, gloves, and trash bags provided. Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen. .

Star Gazing for Mental Health
Thursday, Sept. 18 from 8-10 p.m.
Daniel Commons

The night sky has been a source of fascination for humans throughout history. Join us as we engage in nature in a unique and memorable way through exploration of the night sky. , but drop-ins are welcome! Enter to win a free telescope.

Sponsored by the Astronomy Club, Counseling Services, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Office of Sustainability.

Sun Day
Sunday, September 21 from 2-4 p.m.
Young Commons

 is a national day of action to celebrate the power of renewable energy. Whether you’d like to join us for the electric vehicle car show, make a bouquet of native flowers, or join us for Sun Salutation Yoga, there’s something for everyone!  .

The Natural World – Elon Wind Ensemble Concert
Friday, Sept. 26 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
McCrary Theater

Through powerful and evocative works, “The Natural World” explores the beauty of wild places, wild things and the urgent need to protect them. Featuring compositions by Rossano Galante, Viet Cuong, Stephen Lias and Gala Flagello, this concert highlights the resilience and fragility of nature through music. Join the Elon Wind Ensemble for an inspiring performance that encourages reflection on our planet’s future as they partner with Outdoor Leadership and Education.

Bike to Burlington
Thursday, Oct. 2 from 5-7 p.m.
Meet in front of Koury Athletic Center

Join us for an exciting bike ride to downtown Burlington! Experience the joy of sustainable and affordable transportation, enjoy delicious Smitty’s ice cream, make new friendships and discover the charm of local businesses. 

Sustainable Leadership Program
Friday, Oct. 3 from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Oaks 212

Whether you’re all-in on saving the Earth or just curious about where you can make a difference on campus, this event is for you! Explore ways to take action on sustainability, discover your leadership style, and learn how small changes can create big impact—right here on campus! Register via Phoenix Connect.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is a widely used green building rating system in the US and internationally. LEED for Building Design and Construction assesses projects on a point-based system that considers project location and sustainable transportation options, sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and elements of regional priority.

The building has numerous sustainable features, including low flow plumbing fixtures and energy efficient systems. Compared to standard plumbing fixtures, the low flow fixtures in the building are expected to reduce potable water usage by about 35%. The energy cost savings for the building is about 24% compared to a building that just meets the standard building energy code.

East Neighborhood Commons is within walking distance of many commonly used buildings on campus, including Belk Library and Moseley Center. A site assessment was completed before construction, and the site includes ample open space for residents to enjoy. During construction, over 75% of the waste was recycled or reused, which kept it out of the landfill. Several products used in the facility contain recycled content, such as structural steel, drywall and aluminum framing, which reduces the need for virgin materials.

Providing excellent indoor environmental quality was another essential component in the design and construction of the building, as it contributes to the health and productivity of building occupants. One example is the use of materials with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Low VOC products allow for better air quality during and after construction. Several of the furniture pieces in the building have earned a third-party certification that focuses on good indoor air quality.

Elon has a Green Building Policy, which states that new construction projects and major renovations of more than 8,000 square feet will achieve LEED certification. Most of Elon’s projects have received LEED Silver; however, Elon also has 11 LEED Gold certifications (four of which are LEED for Homes) and six LEED for Homes Platinum certifications.

Additional details about East Neighborhood Commons’ sustainable features can be found online.

McKibben was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2014, sometimes called the “alternative Nobel” and received the Gandhi Peace Award in 2013. His book “The End of Nature” is regarded as the first book for a general audience about climate change and has been translated into 24 languages. TIME Magazine called McKibben “perhaps the planet’s best green journalist,” and he has lectured and organized on every continent, including Antarctica. He helped found 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and has recently helped found Third Act, to build a progressive organizing movement for people over age 60. McKibben, the author of fifteen books, is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In his urgent, heartfelt and hopeful talk McKibben provides realistic approaches to saving our planet, as individuals, and as thoughtful members of a mobilized community.

This visit is sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Studies Department, Facilities Management, Food Studies, the Global Neighborhood, the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Life@Elon and Peace and Conflict Studies

ľĂľĂČČ, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend as many events as possible for a chance to win Phoenix Cash, hammocks and more! Event and Earth Week competition details are available on the Earth Week Website.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, April 21

5 – 6 p.m. | From Squirrels to Song Birds: Date on Elon’s Bird Species | Global Commons, First Floor

Join Elon Data Nexus and Senior Lecturer in Statistics Ryne VanKrevelen on a walk around Elon’s beautiful campus to learn about Elon’s bird species, tools to help collect your own bird data, and what to do with it in day-to-day life. Sponsored by Elon Data Nexus

Tuesday, April 22

4 – 5 p.m. | Sustainability Master Plan 2025 Launch Celebration | McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center

Celebrate the launch of ľĂľĂČČ’s Sustainability Master Plan 2025 with food, interactive activities and exciting prizes! Learn about Elon’s goals for a more sustainable future, connect with others and discover opportunities to support sustainability at Elon. This event is open to all students, faculty and staff.

6 – 7 p.m. | Fly Into Spring | Elon Community Garden

Join the Environmental Student Organization Network at the community garden to make bird feeders out of sustainable materials like pine cones and toilet paper rolls.

Wednesday, April 23

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Food for Thought | The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), Moseley Center 

Join us for a delicious Asian feast and an insightful discussion on the significance of rice in Asian culture and economy. Meet at CREDE for amazing food and great company!

7 – 8 p.m. | Earth Week Keynote: Bill McKibben, ‘The Race For a Working Climate” | Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center

We’re at a hinge moment in human history. On the one hand, we face an environmental cataclysm like none before. On the other, the rapid fall in the price of clean energy gives us the chance for truly rapid progress. In this urgent, heartfelt and hopeful talk, New York Times bestselling author Bill McKibben reveals the part each of us must plan in where we need to go and provides realistic approaches to saving our planet, as individuals, and as thoughtful members of a mobilized community.

McKibben was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2014, sometimes called the “alternative Nobel” and received the Gandhi Peace Award in 2013. His book “The End of Nature” is regarded as the first book for a general audience about climate change and has been translated into 24 languages. TIME Magazine called McKibben “perhaps the planet’s best green journalist,” and he has lectured and organized on every continent, including Antarctica. He helped found 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and has recently helped found Third Act, to build a progressive organizing movement for people over age 60. McKibben, the author of fifteen books, is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Studies Department, Facilities Management, Food Studies, the Global Neighborhood, the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Life@Elon and Peace and Conflict Studies.

9 – 10 p.m. | S’Mores with Outdoors | Beck Pool Patio

Join Elon Outdoors and the Eco-Reps for a special Earth Week S’mores with Outdoors! Make your own sustainable bug spray so that you can enjoy more time outdoors.

Thursday, April 24

5 – 7 p.m. | Party for the Planet | Moseley West Lawn

Celebrate sustainability with fun activities and live entertainment! This event will also feature a thrift shop where students can trade their gently used clothes for new (gently used) clothes.

Friday, April 25

3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Paint N’ Plant | Young Commons

Join us to design your own plant pots out of reusable jars and cans with the opportunity to take different plants home to grow for yourself! We’ll learn about minimizing waste, sustainable agriculture and reusable products, as well as work with Loy Farm to grow our own native plants!

4 – 5:30 p.m. | Bloom with Pride | Elon Community Garden 

Join the Gender and LGBTQIA Center to Celebrate Lesbian Visibility Day through bouquet making and flower vase decorating.

To prepare for this event, the GLC is currently accepting donations of clean glass jars, bottles and cans! Please bring any donations to the GLC.

4 – 6 p.m. | Bike to Burlington | Meet at Koury Center | Registration Required

Meet in front of the Koury Athletic Center and join Elon Outdoors and the Office of Sustainability for a bike ride to Burlington, where we’ll enjoy some ice cream while learning about local businesses and how they contribute to sustainability. Bikes will be provided, or bring your own.

Saturday, April 26

Sustainable Day of Service | Various Times and Locations 

Sustainable Day of Service Opportunities include:

9 AM – 11 a.m. | Lake Mackintosh Kayak Clean Up | Registration Required
Take care of local Lake Mackintosh while enjoying the beauty of nature. Kayaks, gloves and trash bags provided. Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen.

9 AM – 11 p.m. | Peacehaven Farm | Registration Required
Join the CORE members and participate in a Garden Workday!  You will be outside so make sure you wear close-toed shoes and bring a water bottle

12:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Women’s Resource Center Herb Festival Clean Up | Registration Required 
Help the center with the clean up after the festival! This won’t require heavy labor but is some physical work.

1 – 3 p.m. | Lake Mackintosh Kayak Clean Up | Registration Required
Take care of local Lake Mackintosh while enjoying the beauty of nature. Kayaks, gloves and trash bags provided. Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen.

Sunday, April 27

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Farm Tour | Meet in front of the Center for the Arts | Registration Required

Visit three local farms to learn about food production in Alamance County and try some local foods along the way!  Transportation provided.

Data from the FY 2023 GHG Inventory show that commuting accounts for 17% of Elon’s GHG emissions, making it the third largest source of Elon’s GHG emissions, after energy consumption (43%) and study abroad travel (21%). These numbers represent gross emissions, before subtracting verified carbon offsets.

When asked what sustainable transportation mode they would most likely adopt if additional incentives or infrastructure improvements were implemented, off-campus survey respondents frequently chose to carpool, taking a bus and biking, while on-campus respondents indicated interest in biking and carpooling. These preferences highlight potential areas for further development to reduce emissions and support a more sustainable campus culture.

For those interested in carpooling, Elon offers , a free Elon-specific ride-sharing service available to ľĂľĂČČ students, faculty and staff to help connect carpool partners. Those interested can register with their Elon email address to find Elon-specific carpool partners.

For those interested in taking a bus, expanded offerings are now available. In addition to the Elon Express, which runs throughout campus and to off-campus shopping centers. The university also recently started a partnership with a local public transit system, . This partnership allows Elon students, faculty and staff to ride Link Transit routes for free with their Phoenix Card. The blue line, which has a stop on West Haggard Ave at N. Holt Ave, runs from downtown Burlington to Gibsonville and connects to other lines in downtown Burlington.

In 2024, the Town of Elon adopted a to focus on recommendations for safe, comfortable, accessible infrastructure for those walking, biking and using public transportation.

With the launch of Elon’s next Sustainability Master Plan this spring, ľĂľĂČČ will continue to explore strategies to make sustainable transportation options more attractive and viable to the ľĂľĂČČ community.

Research consistently shows that outdoor activities can sharpen cognitive abilities, elevate mood and energy levels, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhance overall physical health, including immune function. Time spent in nature can even reduce feelings of stress and improve your body’s physiological response to stressors!

Incorporating nature into your daily routine doesn’t require a significant time investment—research shows that just 5 to 20 minutes outdoors each day can deliver meaningful benefits. ľĂľĂČČ’s campus offers an ideal environment to make nature part of your everyday life. Whether it’s joining an adventure with Elon Outdoors, exploring the community garden, or enjoying an afternoon at Like Mary Nell, Elon’s green spaces are always available to students.

Events for the spring 2025 semester include:

Healing Honey Workshop: A Sweet Journey to Wellness
Feb. 18, 4:15-5:15 p.m. in Daniel Commons

This event will help promote mindfulness, gratitude and wellness at the beginning of the semester. Join us to make different infused honeys to promote natural well-being and focus on your gratitude and positive intentions for the new semester. Sponsored by the Danieley Neighborhood and the Dr. Jo Watts School of Education

Mental Health Hike at Shallow Ford Natural Area
March 7 from 3-5 p.m.  (transportation included)
Join us for an inclusive 1.5-mile hike (easy to moderate, some uneven terrain) to experience and explore the ways being in nature can support your holistic wellness.

Stargazing for Mental Health
April 3 from 8:30-10 p.m.

The night sky has been a source is fascination for humans throughout history. Join the Astronomy Club, the Office of Sustainability, Counseling Services, the Historic and Danieley Center Neighborhoods as we engage in nature in a unique and memorable way through exploration of the night sky.

Happy Hammocking at Lake Mary Nell
May 6 from 3-4:30 p.m.
As finals approach, take a well-deserved break and relax in nature. We’ll provide journals for you to decorate and reflect in, along with thoughtful prompts exploring wellbeing and the outdoors. Come unwind, get creative and recharge!

Learn more about Nature Rx at Elon, including information on our Mobile Outdoor Classroom Kit available for faculty and staff to check out, on the Nature Rx website.

Attend as many events as you can to win the ľĂľĂČČ Sustainability Week competition. Prizes include Phoenix Cash, hammocks and more!  More Information can be found on the ľĂľĂČČ Sustainability Week website.

Schedule of Events

(and required for some events!)

Tuesday, Oct. 15

12-1 p.m. | Tree Walk (Meet at Fonville Fountain in front of Alamance Building)

Join Elon’s arborists on a walk around Elon’s beautiful campus to learn about Elon’s trees, including the Tree Trail on campus, the arborist’s favorite trees and insider information on the maintenance and sustainability of the Elon urban forest.

7:30-8:30 p.m. | ľĂľĂČČ Sustainability Week Keynote: Beyond “Wastelands”: Pigs, Pollution and a Community’s Fight for Justice (McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center)

Between 2013 and 2020, hundreds of residents of rural eastern North Carolina fought to hold the world’s largest pork producer, Smithfield Foods, accountable in court for longtime environmental harm to their air, their water, and their ancestral land. Attorney and author Corban Addison chronicles that story in his book “Wastelands,” recipient of the 2023 Reed Environmental Writing Award from the Southern Environmental Law Center.

“Wastelands” recounts the triumph of human courage and community persistence in the face of insurmountable odds, as well as an untold civil rights story that resonates with America’s current reckoning on race. It exposes the hidden side of agribusiness, the dangers of corporate capture in the state legislatures, the challenge of holding rich and powerful industries to account in the courts and the true cost of one of America’s favorite breakfast foods – bacon.

In this visually rich presentation, complete with video footage and animations from five federal trials, Addison will shine a light on the intersection of food, race and money as he takes his audience behind the scenes of a landmark war in the courtroom that brought a once invincible industry to its knees.

This event is sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, ľĂľĂČČ School of Law, the Environmental Studies Department, the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and the Fund for Excellence in Arts and Sciences (a joint endeavor of the College of Arts and Sciences and Phi Beta Kappa).

Wednesday, Oct. 16

9-10 p.m. | S’mores with Outdoors (Beck Pool Patio)
Join Elon Outdoors and the Eco-Reps for a special ľĂľĂČČ Sustainability Week S’mores with Outdoors!

Thursday, Oct. 17

2-4 p.m. – Build your own Birdhouse (Elon Community Garden) 

Come make milk carton bird houses or bird feeders at the community garden (bird seeds included!), make friends and learn about the bird species around the Elon community.

3-6 p.m. | Elon Farmers’ Market (Elon Community Church) 
Support local farmers, bakers, crafters and the local economy. Stop by the Office of Sustainability table to grab a reusable shopping bag to reduce your waste.

4-6 p.m. | Culturally Relevant Herbalism & Farming (Loy Farm EcoVillage)

Join Brandon Ruiz, urban farmer and Caribbean herbalist, for an immersive herbalism workshop from a culturally relevant perspective. Brandon will share his experience cultivating community through herbalism and invite the attendees to enter into a space of sharing and reciprocity centered around nature-based experiences. The workshop will include a hands-on herbalism component with each participant taking home a product made partially from produce grown at the Loy Farm.

5-6 p.m. | Pop Up Swap Shop (Moseley Center)
Looking to refresh your closet? Perfectly good clothing you no longer wear? Bring it to the Pop-Up Swap Shop to trade for new-to-you shirts, pants, dresses, and more!

6-7 p.m. | Sustainability Master Plan Feedback Session (Mosley Center, McKinnon Hall)

Your voice matters in shaping the future of sustainability at Elon! This interactive session is an opportunity to learn about and provide feedback on a draft of Elon’s next ten-year Sustainability Master Plan, set to launch in 2025. Light refreshments will be provided.

Friday, Oct. 18

2-5 p.m. | Mental Health Hike (Shallow Ford Natural Area – Transportation Provided)

Nature offers endless opportunities to improve your life! Hiking allows us to tap into multiple areas of well-being and engage our senses. Join the Office of Sustainability, Counseling Services and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education for an inclusive hike to experience and explore the ways being in Nature can support your holistic wellness. Transportation will be provided. Registration is required.

4-6 p.m. | Bike to Burlington (Meet at Koury Athletic Center)

Join us for an exciting bike ride to downtown Burlington! Experience the joy of sustainable and affordable transportation, enjoy delicious Smitty’s ice cream, make new friendships, and discover the charm of local businesses. Join us for a fun-filled adventure!