As students at Iowa State, we are given abundant opportunities to engage with green issues and sustainability. Arguably, this is one of the most important issues we are currently facing. Today, we are the generation that has the power to affect change for a better environment. So if you are interested in learning more about sustainable and green efforts on campus and being a part of this positive change, you should check out the Iowa State Student Organization, The Green Umbrella.

The Green Umbrella (TGU) is a student led organization that seeks to bring together different student sustainability and green-oriented groups under the “umbrella” of sustainability. Some of these organizations include ActivUs, Engineers for a Sustainable World, Team PrISUm, The Student Organic Farm (SOF), Leaders for a Sustainable Community, Closets Collide, The Greenhouse Group, Engineers Without Borders, The SHOP (student food pantry), Greeks Go Green, EnactUs, The Sustainable Agriculture Student Association (SASA), ISU BioBus, and the Lorax Troop, among others. These groups are wonderful examples of how students are engaging the campus and community and challenging them to live more sustainably.

TGU is dedicated to promoting awareness of sustainable efforts practiced both on campus and in the Ames community. The TGU mission statement explains how the group functions to promote these efforts. For example, group members open forums for discussion about the green initiatives on campus, they act as a mediator between administration and students who are concerned with sustainability issues, and they help teach students about how to live more sustainable lives, how to participate in green efforts, and help them voice opinions on issues surrounding campus sustainability. Voices like those of the TGU are vital to perpetuating discussion and action for a more sustainable, green environment.

This group hosts several big events throughout the year. In the fall the group takes part in National Campus Sustainability Day, which is mentioned in more detail below. And in the spring, it hosts Sustainapalooza, participates in VEISHEA village, and also celebrates Earth Week on campus with several interactive events.

The Live Green! Tent at VEISHEA Village is for people of all ages, so alumni, students, and community members can all be involved and empowered to live a greener lifestyle. The Green Umbrella in conjunction with the Office of Sustainability hosts several student sustainability groups who each have their own booths and tables set up with interactive presentations, activities, and prizes.This is a great opportunity to learn more about missions of these organizations and to sign up as a new member, if you are interested in getting involved.

Sustainapalooza is The Green Umbrella’s annual spring event and acts as the official kickoff for Iowa State’s Symposium on Sustainability, which is held each February and sponsored by the ISU Council on Sustainability. Sustainapalooza is an event intended to engage and empower students and staff in sustainability. The Green Umbrella’s 2013 Sustainapalooza event was recently awarded the Outstanding Event of the Year at the VEISHEA opening ceremony on April 16th, 2013. “This award is a result of all the hard work and determination that TGU puts into its events. Our success is directly attributed to our amazing members that volunteer their time and effort day in and day out. Each year, our organization continues to grow in numbers and awareness which is extremely inspiring.” noted Dylan Gaudineer, Co-President of The Green Umbrella.

TGU also participates in National Campus Sustainability Day in the fall, which is a national celebration that promotes awareness for sustainability on college campuses nationwide. All green-oriented student groups and local businesses with green elements are invited to take part. It is designed like a mini-Club Fest for green oriented groups as well as serves as an opportunity for businesses to advertise to students what makes them sustainable. This event will be held again next October in front of Parks Library. Events like these are valuable opportunities that allow people who are not full-time members of the club to learn more about how they can make changes in their personal lives to help create a better environment.

The Green Umbrella has had a lot of positive impact on the ISU campus and Ames community. They have truly connected the campus and the community by bringing people together and teaching them about how to live more sustainable lives. If you are interested in joining or learning more about The Green Umbrella, you can contact the club’s presidents, Alexandra Gustafson ([email protected]) or Dylan Gaudineer ([email protected]). Also, feel free to attend bi-weekly club meetings held every other Monday at 8pm in the multicultural room in the Memorial Union.

When faced with the question, “What did you do to help save the environment when you learned the truth about harmful practices and global warming?” I personally do not want to answer “Nothing”. Take the chances you are given to help save the environment. It is a blessing and a finite resource. If we are truly going to serve as stewards of the earth, we need to start caring and get involved with groups like The Green Umbrella. Groups like this have enormous potential, and whether you serve as part of the group, or you apply what you can learn from them, you can be confident you are doing something good for our planet.