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ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University promotes conservation and restoration of campus land across colleges and universities

Rebecca Preisler

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University representatives recently presented, “Using Campus Land to Promote and Maintain Biodiversity,” Sept. 28 at Governor’s State University in University Park, Ill. Environmental Science Student Rebecca Preisler of Romeoville, Dwight DeVries, superintendent of grounds, Lee Witkowski, biology adjunct faculty, and Dr. Jerry Kavouras, director of the Environmental Science program and associate professor of biology, offered the presentation during the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium 2012 Student Sustainability Summit.

“This presentation made me realize the importance of coming together and being involved in sustainability projects outside of school; and how making those connections can assist me in determining my future career path,” commented Preisler.

The ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ session focused on restoring campus land and maintaining biodiversity at college campuses. Invasive, ignorant and destructive tendencies provide an imbalance in ecosystems. It emphasized the importance of educating the public on conservation and allowing all ecosystems to flourish and remain diverse.

The summit was organized by students and designed for students. Preisler added, “I was able to collaborate with other students from surrounding schools about ideas to resolve issues related to our schools social and environmental development.”

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University was used as an example of an institution that promotes biodiversity and educates students on conservation. The landscape of college campuses is utilized to promote biodiversity, but also campus awareness. Recent honors recognize its biodiversity. The Conservation Foundation recently awarded ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ the Sustainable Development Award for the success of the native restoration plot located on campus and the continuous improvements of campus landscape, among other initiatives. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ is also nationally recognized as a Tree Campus USA.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more 6,500 traditional and adult students. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.