Student sustainability proposals create a greener Blacksburg campus
Electric lawnmowers, expanded bicycling infrastructure, and tree plantings are the latest student-proposed sustainability projects approved for implementation on the Blacksburg campus.
Students gain real-world learning opportunities and collaborate with campus stakeholders to help shape the university’s sustainability efforts through the Green Request for Proposals (RFP) Program.
At the start of each academic year, the Office of Sustainability seeks sustainability proposals from student organizations. Students partner with university faculty, staff, and researchers to develop proposals and ultimately turn ideas into tangible improvements.
“Hokies are immersed in experiential learning opportunities and are able to fine-tune career development skills through the Green RFP Program,” said Nathan King, campus sustainability manager. “The program is open to students across disciplines and presents our office with creative sustainability projects that directly impact the university’s sustainability goals.”
Collaborating with peers and subject-matter experts to write an RFP translates into skills to present on resumes and carry into future careers. Students also gain insight on how projects materialize.
“The Green RFP program is more than simply funding sustainability projects,” said King. “It’s about collaboration, experiential learning, and presenting students with the opportunity to make a lasting difference on campus that will serve future generations of Hokies.”
From bike racks to lawnmowers
Seven projects were approved in the latest round.
Planting 15 trees along the Huckleberry Trail is one of the proposals that received funding from the university's sustainability partnership with Coca-Cola. As part of the RFP, students identified potential environmental and social benefits of adding trees on the Huckleberry Trail, including carbon sequestration, erosion control, shade, and wildlife habitat.
Four student proposals focused on improving and expanding bike rack infrastructure around the campus. Many of these proposals result from student volunteers participating in an annual bike census conducted by Sustainable Transportation.
The census gives students a chance to envision bicycle parking scenarios in real-time, which gives them insight into crafting a proposal to address any issues. Sustainable transportation has a large influence on the university’s sustainability rankings, including The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), which is used as a management tool to assess sustainability progress at higher education institutions.
Another proposal will provide a second electric lawnmower for the Division of Facilities’ grounds crew, something that underscores the university’s stewardship practices by reducing the crew’s operational and maintenance costs and lowering noise pollution and carbon emissions.
“Electric lawnmowers are an important step in making our grounds crew operations more sustainable,” said Cody Kiefer, director of grounds. “They help us lower emissions, reduce noise, and cut down on maintenance needs, all while showing that we care for the physical campus in ways that are better for both the environment and our campus community.”
Building a green future
Since its launch in 2010, the Green RFP Program has grown into a signature initiative for students to be active in campus sustainability efforts. The program has been incorporated into coursework, providing students with hands-on experience in a collaborative environment, and past implementation is inspiring Hokies to tackle new sustainability challenges.
“The Green RFP is a chance for students to apply classroom learning to real challenges right here on campus,” said King. “It’s enhancing the educational experience and preparing students for their future careers.
The Office of Sustainability is now seeking student proposals for the 2025-26 academic year through the Green RFP Program.
