Being on the east coast I did not have the privilege to walk through the nature trail and blog about it, instead I visited a local college campus to get a feel for its green friendliness. I visited the campus of the University of Miami. This campus falls in the heart of Miami giving the campus an extreme urban feel to it. Yet, when exploring further through the campus there is a strong connection between the natural environment and the location of the buildings. For example, in one area between the parking garage and the student union there was a walkway over a body of water covered with dense vegetation. For that instant, that location did not feel like a part of urban Miami, it felt very natural and peaceful. This was not the only area on campus that incorporated the green environment many other areas did as well and I think this is an important construction strategy for a college located in such an urban area because it allows the students to momentarily escape from the hectic city college lifestyle and relax in a more rural, peaceful atmosphere. The balance between both the city and earthy atmospheres does create a sense of community. It brings two extreme, opposite elements and creates a balance where students can choose between a fast pace, busy city lifestyle, and then when they are too tired of it they can bounce back into a more peaceful, relaxing pace. The varying types of nature and urban layouts throughout add plenty of diversity to the campus. Ecosystems in the campus range from lakes to Florida wetlands and can all be seen around campus not in huge amounts such as at FGCU but still in various locations allowing for diversity in the atmosphere.
The University of Miami sits in the middle of Urban Miami so it is a region very prone to pollution and environmental measures need to be taken in order to minimize pollution on campus. The university has plenty of recycling cans all throughout campus. Wherever there is a garbage can a recycling can was there to accompany it. The university recently implemented new green programs on campus in order to reduce the student’s carbon footprint. One of the new programs offers a bike rental center with new bike paths, air pumping stations, and service discounts throughout campus. Other departments have also taken a step towards a green campus. The police department recently began patrolling in segways instead of cars to reduce their carbon emissions. These are just two of the many green programs the University of Miami has to offer.
Sustainable campuses are very important, because I believe a college campus is an institution with the power to give a lot back to the community and having positive programs in such a large institutions can quickly rub off on the community. A sustainable campus should be able to provide green alternatives to everyday actions such as modes of transportation, modes of discarding materials and sources of food. If you have a college with a large population coming from the nearby city, or neighborhoods and you implement on a daily basis on campus eco-friendly actions simply through recycling, or modes of transportation and provide the people with the resources and opportunities to participate in these green alternatives then these daily actions can become habits that will stick to the individuals, and since the individuals come from off campus locations their habits can be passed on back to their origin. Though it is not a simple process, it is definitely a plausible one and one that has rubbed off on me. I know that before attending FGCU I did not recycle but being at FGCU and having the recycling center right next to my dorm I have begun to recycle and it has become a habit, and who would have thought but it has now stuck with me and I now do it at home.
Overall my visit to the University of Miami seemed to be very successful. When compared to FGCU it is not too far behind in its green ways but it does have harder obstacles to overcome due to its initial location. I learned a lot about a campus other than my own and though the University of Miami isn’t built in the heart of the everglades and instead in the heart of popular Miami it still has done its part in taking the first step forward towards a greener campus.
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