Like many of you, we have been reading the research and reports of the threat posed to our planet by climate change, and the increasing levels of plastic clogging up landfills and polluting our oceans, and we are determined to do our part to help. Along with some longstanding practices, we will be rolling out some new eco-friendly initiatives across the organization over the next few months.
“George Mason University has a strong commitment to environmental research and study, and sustainability on every level,” stated Academy assistant director Matt Geske. “Mason Community Arts Academy is happy to contribute to that commitment. With the emerging study of the connection between art and nature, it’s only natural!”
New practices will include:
- Moving away from plastics/ styrofoam to paper/ bio-degradable reception supplies for our Academy special events (music recitals, theater showcases, student art exhibits, etc) and office breakrooms whenever possible
- Reducing our purchasing of bottled water; making filtered water available to Academy staff, instructors, students and family members to fill re-usable water bottles
- Recycling used batteries/ disposing of them properly
- Updating windows and lighting for energy efficiency, with the support of our wonderful Academy building owner, the GMU Foundation
Practices which will continue:
- Utilizing the paper and plastic/ bottle recycle bins at the Academy office, provided by Mason Facilities
- Re-purposing used materials for theater program props, scenery, etc
- Tending our new Butterfly/ Honey Bee Haven flower beds surrounding the Academy building, provided by Mason Grounds, and also tending to indoor plants throughout the Academy building’s offices and classroom/ lesson spaces
- One of our biggest “going green” outreach initiatives, our Instruments in the Attic program, which collects gently used musical instruments (otherwise destined for the dumpster) from generous community members, repairs them, and gets them back into the hands of music students
The university has an Office of Sustainability, which handles environmental issues on a much larger scope and scale, and includes the Patriot Green Fund, which has been a strong supporter of our Instruments in the Attic program for many years.
Together, even small efforts can make a big, long-term impact on sustaining our wonderful planet Earth!