Truman has always been known for its aesthetic beauty, and recent efforts to be more environmentally conscious have earned accolades and an economic windfall as well.
In January, Ameren Missouri awarded Truman more than $300,000 in connection with the University’s energy savings project. Ameren’s Business Energy Efficiency Program offered cash incentives and technical assistance to commercial and industrial electric customers in 2015 in order to help trim controllable energy costs. Work on the energy-saving measures in Truman’s 16-month plan began in summer 2015. The improvements, ranging from installing new light fixtures to updating the heating, cooling and ventilation systems of multiple buildings, will allow Truman to reduce water, natural gas and electrical consumption, as well as its carbon dioxide emissions, and are estimated to save the University more than $1 million annually.
Proof that the University is acting locally while thinking globally can be seen by its participation in the American Campuses Act on Climate (ACAC). Truman is one of more than 300 institutions to commit to addressing sustainability and climate change by signing the ACAC pledge.
Efforts in the area of sustainability have earned the praise of the Arbor Day Foundation and the Missouri Community Forestry Council.
Truman was honored with 2015 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. Tree Campus USA is a national program created by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Truman achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include: maintaining a tree advisory committee; a campus tree-care plan; dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program; an Arbor Day observance; and a student service-learning project.
The Missouri Community Forestry Council awarded Truman the Arbor Award of Excellence in the Business/Institutional category. The award recognizes an outstanding community forestry project implemented in the last two years by a commercial entity or institution. Truman earned the award for its collaborative efforts during Arbor Day 2015 with the city, the Kirksville School District’s Green Thumb class and the Environmental Club. The University hosted a kick-off event in which the students helped plant two trees by the Green Thumb classroom with the guidance of Truman resource forester Yvette Amerman. Students in other classes planted willow stakes/trees on the school grounds, one tree per student.
