Madison Reporter

Students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are taking an active role in promoting sustainability on campus through the Green Fund program. The initiative, created by the UW Office of Sustainability, supports student-led projects aimed at reducing the environmental impact and enhancing the social influence of campus activities.

Owen Knych, a junior and president of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW), highlighted the importance of this funding source: “The Green Fund is the main source of funding for our projects,” he said. ESW has been involved in various initiatives including Solar Little Free Libraries, bee hotels, aquaponic systems, and rainwater catchment systems.

The Green Fund assists students from proposal to implementation, providing guidance and support throughout. Knych noted that it has offered him numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth: “By funding ESW projects, the Green Fund has provided me with too many things to count: engineering design, grant writing, client communication, leadership, cross-disciplinary collaboration and amazing friendships.”

Program manager Ian Aley emphasized the educational aspect: “The Green Fund offers money to implement these projects, but just as importantly, we facilitate hands-on learning for students.”

One notable project involves creating a zero-waste shade sail for Allen Centennial Garden using reclaimed materials. This effort aims to provide sun relief for garden visitors while supporting UW’s Zero Waste efforts.

Since its inception in 2017, the Green Fund has backed several successful initiatives. Aley mentioned that this year saw a record number of applications. He explained their approach: “We approve most applications we receive...If an idea isn’t ready right away, we offer feedback and continue to support the student team until it is ready for approval.”

In 2022, an innovative project emerged when UW grounds crew proposed replacing fossil fuel-powered mowers with electric ones. Collaborating with Campus Leader For Energy Action Now (CLEAN), students assessed cost savings and carbon impact. The transition was well-received by operators who preferred electric mowers over traditional ones.

Hannah Stahmann, a senior involved in multiple Green Fund projects including this mower initiative stated that such efforts have broader impacts like reducing air pollution exposure. She believes these projects contribute significantly to UW’s sustainability goals.

Other supported endeavors include bird-safe windows installation and waste reduction infrastructure improvements across campus facilities.

Stahmann remarked on the program's significance: “The Green Fund has been and will continue to be a vital component in reaching our sustainability goals and fostering a culture of collaboration throughout the campus community.” Knych echoed similar sentiments saying: “The Green Fund is everything to me…It has quite literally made my college experience.”