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Mascot Sculpture Installed at UNH

On September 20th, the two-ton bronze UNH wildcat mascot sculpture found his permanent home in Memorial Field in front of the Whittemore Center. The sculpture was dedicated in a ceremony during Homecoming Weekend in October.

Commissioned by the UNH Alumni Association, this work of public art was over two years in the making. The UNH Campus Aesthetics Committee developed guidelines for public art on campus, while a committee comprised of faculty, staff, students, and community members oversaw the artist selection process.

The chosen artist - Matthew Gray Palmer, a resident of Washington state’s San Juan Island - has been commissioned for sculptures installed at the Arches National Park Visitors Center, the Columbus Zoo, and the Toledo Zoo, among others.

According to Culture & Sustainability Initiative Program Coordinator Elisabeth Farrell, “Public art is as essential to sustainability as clean air and water. Our new Wildcat sculpture helps all of us in the community nurture a strong sense of place at UNH.”

Did You Know?

“Four Hands, One Heart,” a documentary celebrating the lives of former UNH faculty and acclaimed potters Ed and Mary Scheier, is now available on DVD! Go to 4 hands1heart.com to learn more.

In addition, a collection of the Scheier’s work is on display at the UNH Dimond Library.

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Support Public Arts!

Local arts sustain our humanity and are integral to sustainability. Attend lectures, films, dinners, performing arts events, Cultural Excursions, and other events on campus. Support these local groups with your time, resources, and appreciation. Check out the latest exhibit at the UNH Art Gallery and the University Museum at the Dimond Library. Visit the UNH calendar for up-to-date information on campus public arts happenings.

Upcoming Events

 

Visit the Office of Sustainability Calendar

Thursday, November 9 & 30

Cultural Excursion

Boston Symphony Orchestra

$40/person. Includes ticket & roundtrip bus transportation from Durham to Boston

Contact: El Farrell, 862-5040

Tuesday, November 14

Who Cares about the Energy We Use?

Discovery Authors Ruth Sample and Stacy VanDeveer

3:30 - 5:00 PM

MUB Room 334/336

Contact: UNH Discovery Program

November 17-18

3rd Annual Northern New England Small & Beginning Farmers Conference

Meredith Community Center Meredith, NH

Contact: Beginning Farmers of New Hampshire

Wednesdays in November

Lunch in the Landscape

Noon - 1:00 PM

Meet in Murkland Courtyard

  • Nov 1: Top Secret!

  • Nov 8: Dimond Library Map Room

  • Nov 15: Climate Change & New England

  • Nov 29: Wildcat Sculpture at the Whit

Contact: Liz Fowler

Profile in Sustainability

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Established in 1997, the UNH Office of Sustainability works with faculty, staff, students, and a variety of local, regional, and international partners to integrate sustainability into curriculum, operations, research, and engagement at UNH

Our initiatives fall into four areas:

Biodiversity Education (BEI)

Climate Education (CEI)

Culture and Sustainability (CAS)

Food and Society (FAS)

From energy efficiency to composting, courses on climate and public health to cultural excursions, in our work we strive to improve community life and the environment.


CONTACT US

UNH Office of Sustainability

107 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street

Durham, NH 03824 USA

TEL: 603.862.4088

FAX: 603.862.0785

osp.info@unh.edu

www.sustainableunh.unh.edu

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Dr. Cameron Wake UNH

Cameron Wake, Research Associate Professor

UNH Climate Change Research Center

Why should we in New England worry about climate change?

The very notion of the Northeast is at stake; the near-term greenhouse gas emission choices we make in New England and throughout the world will determine the climate and quality of life our children and grandchildren experience. The climate future is in our hands: what is it we want the climate to look like in New England? If we want there to be seasons, with our iconic pleasant summers, fall foliage, winter snow, and the sugaring-off of maples in the spring, then we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.  

Why is UNH’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory so important?

It’s important for two reasons. First, it provides a quantitative measure of the energy we use and the greenhouse gases we emit so that we can track our progress overtime, both for using energy more efficiently as well as for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Second, we were the first university in the country to develop a detailed greenhouse gas inventory, so we can serve as a model for other campuses across the nation.

What personally drives you to research and teach about climate change?

Climate change is such a wonderfully complex topic that really takes a lifetime of research to understand. Much of my drive in my early career came from my understanding of how much human activities are causing the climate to change. In that sense, I wanted to help society make informed choices about reducing the negative impact of climate change. My teaching activities flow from that: by teaching graduate classes and working with graduate students in detailed research I’m training the next generation of climate scientists, and by teaching a general education undergraduate class I’m helping students become better citizens.

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Powerdown over break!

Over Thanksgiving and winter breaks, turn off and unplug your computers and electronics - or turn off the power strip into which they are plugged. You’ll save energy, lower your energy bill, and prevent greenhouse gas emissions! Last year UNH saved over $20,000 and prevented emissions equivalent to removing 30 cars from the road - all from powering down over breaks!