CRAFTSBURY — Sterling College has been recognized among more than 550 colleges and universities as a top performer in the 2021 Sustainable Campus Index.
The school has achieved the top spot for sustainable food and dining, tying for second for sustainability curriculum, and ranking fourth overall among baccalaureate institutions.
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Sterling is the only higher education institution in Vermont to rank in the top 10.
“As a college whose mission is to advance ecological thinking and action, Sterling is committed to leading through practice,” said Interim President Dr. Lori-Collins Hall. “This recognition is a reflection of the dedication and hard work that our entire community puts toward sustainability every day. We will celebrate this achievement and continue to use education as a force to address critical ecological problems caused by unlimited growth and consumption that is destroying the planet as we have known it.”
Sterling achieved its top performer status by earning a high score overall, along with a 99.4 percent score in the Food & Dining and 100 percent in the Curriculum subcategories.
The 2021 Sustainable Campus Index also highlighted Sterling’s EcoGather education platform as an innovative and high-impact program.
According to the report, EcoGather was selected for recognition based on “the level of innovation and overall impact in advancing sustainability, potential for replicability, and the added impacts this would present.”
Sterling’s EcoGather platform is a collaborative learning network dedicated to the vitality of ecosystems, communities, and economies that prepares learners at all stages of life to undertake or deepen active changemaking and caretaking work.
“EcoGather is currently working with five partners across the world to support agro-ecological transition and equitable, resilient food systems,” said Nicole Civita, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Sterling. “As well as offering online coursework to the public which is designed to build communities for learning and transformation as we address the climate crisis.”
