Mercer Times

A sustainability initiative at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is gaining momentum this spring with several projects underway as part of the Campus as a Living Lab (CaLL). This initiative, which began last semester, aims to foster collaboration across various disciplines and departments, involving students, professors, administration, grounds crews, and facilities management.

“It’s a framework that can help people come together,” said Miriam Shakow, professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and a co-leader of CaLL. “We’re communicating that sustainability is an institutional priority.”

The interdisciplinary approach allows students to connect their coursework and faculty research with campus policies. Lauren Weikl ’24, a biology major involved in the plantings and conducting independent research on bird populations and ecosystems, stated: “We’re getting a full view of our campus and how we can use what we are learning.”

One notable project launched this academic year is the creation of a 1,000-square-foot pollinator meadow of native wildflowers behind the Green Lane fields. “The basics of any living lab initiative is to use the spaces of the campus as opportunities for student learning,” said Shakow.

In addition to hands-on efforts like planting wildflowers, journalism students are developing a website focused on sustainability at TCNJ. Other students are exploring connections between climate change and social justice. Olivia Gonzalez ’25 participated in planting seedlings during a workshop on native plants in Shakow’s course on climate and social justice. She expressed her engagement by saying: “We’re getting engaged and getting outside. I feel like I’m part of making a change on campus.”

More plantings are planned for Earth Week. Part of the grant funding has been used to hire an organic landscaping expert to assist the facilities department in phasing out harmful herbicides. There is also an effort underway to gain support for campus composting.

The idea for CaLL originated from TCNJ’s Environmental Sustainability Council with the goal of increasing student involvement in sustainability beyond those already active in environmental groups on campus.

“The initiative has sparked creative conversations among different disciplines,” said associate professor Kathleen Webber, who chairs the Department of Journalism and Professional Writing and co-leads CaLL. Louise Ammentorp, professor of elementary and early childhood education added: “The communication is an amazing benefit...with everybody coming together in terms of sustainability and biodiversity.”

CaLL's influence extends into many areas on campus; graphic design classes are creating logos while other classes promote CaLL through press releases or propose interactive maps highlighting sustainability efforts.

Journalism major Tasmin Oyshi ’27 remarked: “I feel like the work we’re doing will help others get involved.” Webber emphasized their aim: “We want to train students to be eco-ambassadors...Students care about this and want to know that their school also cares about it.”

According to Ammentorp: “It’s been great seeing excitement...and support from so many people” even though they are only one year into it.