ENV220 Protecting Water Resources

I am happy to know that a pandemic cannot slow NKU's enthusiasm for collaborating with its community. I have been leading students through the MSPP in this course for several years and while we were online this semester, the process and outcome were not too much different. Students researched the amazing environmental work done by local non-profit organizations and invited them to apply to our opportunity. After narrowing down the search, students watched interviews with more probing questions that I conducted with the top three organizations. Students then selected a voting method and a winner. When reading student reflections, I found they were still rewarded through the philanthropic experience and learned more about non-profit work and volunteer opportunities.

Excerpts from ENV 220 students:

"What I appreciated the most about the Mayerson Project experience was that we as students had the opportunity to provide funds to a non-profit organization that would use the money to better the environment."

"I thought it was a really cool experience to give the Green Umbrella the money, because I believe they will do great things in the 2030 district."

"Green Umbrella aims to make more sustainable buildings and will use the money in order to reduce water usage in Cincinnati industrial buildings."

"I like that the nonprofit that we chose will have a measurable impact on the city and will be able to be applied elsewhere."

"I learned how many people care about our water and want to take care of it. I learned how I can make a difference locally, even if I am just one person."

"The MSPP made me realize how easy it would be to get involved in the community. It shows that this is an accessible way to help out for just about everyone. I have now been encouraged to find other areas where I can volunteer to protect water resources in the city I am from."

A word from Green Umbrella:

Thank you to Northern Kentucky University, the  Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project and the Straws Charitable Foundation for your generous grant to support the work of Green Umbrella’s Cincinnati 2030 District. We are honored to accept this grant.
 
As a 2030 District, we have the bold goal of reducing our region’s water usage, energy consumption and transportation related emission 50% by 2030. As we meet the climate challenges and to strive to reduce our buildings’ energy and water consumption, we are heartened by the commitment of your organizations to protect our natural resources. This grant shows your investment in protecting water as a resource and the associated energy needed to pump, treat, and heat the water.
 
In striving to make bold reductions in water usage regionally, this grant helps us support our local building owners and managers with over 25million square feet in greater Cincinnati. With these funds we will be able to help them report and measure their water usage, provide strategies to make reductions, and bring valuable education to the owners and managers who are working to meet the goals. Furthermore, we will be able to convene our water impact team of local stakeholders to further support the building owners and managers.  
 
We are grateful for the generous support of NKU’s Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, and generous funding from the Straws Charitable Foundation.
 
Thank you for making a difference in our community and the environment.  

Professor Hopfenpserger: Students benefit by having the non prof reps come to the classroom where they can interact face to face. However, I still think the project went well online (synchronous).