FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
IMRS Says Recreation a Natural for Green
Intramural/Recreational Sports employees show off 100 percent organic cotton T-shirts that were given away Aug. 26 at the annual HYPE Night welcoming students back to class. From left are Katie Helms, assistant director of Fitness/Wellness, Craig Edmonston, IMRS director, and Tiffany Gaulke, a graduate assistant who coordinates instructional programs and special events.
Handing out T-shirts made from organic cotton, using “green” cleaning chemicals, making a pledge to build a new facility with ecologically friendly concepts – all are features of an expanded emphasis on sustainability in the Intramural/Recreational Sports program at the University of Arkansas.
Craig Edmonston, director of IMRS, said recently the focus builds on the philosophy already ingrained in one of IMRS’ eight programs – Outdoor Connection Center. The center has long taught participants to treat the environment with respect to leave it better for the next generation.
“Jennifer Hazelrigs (who directs the Outdoor Connection Center) became committed years ago to the environment through organizations such as Leave No Trace,” Edmonston explained. “That’s one thing that got me interested in doing more than what we were doing. If we have that philosophy for one program, why not expand it to all eight program areas?”
Leave No Trace, an educational nonprofit based in Boulder, Colo., is dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors. Although its roots are in wilderness management, Leave No Trace has what’s called a “front country” program, too, Hazelrigs said, teaching people how to recycle and reuse products.
“Students have asked me to organize programming such as a one-day canoe trip where they clean up the river,” said Hazelrigs, who serves as Arkansas’ advocate for Leave No Trace. “They have gone from wanting a lazy river float to wanting to give back, to improve the environment.”
The IMRS program, which serves thousands of students, faculty and staff on campus and employs more than 300 students, has begun making a transition to using environmentally friendly cleaning products, replacing traditional television sets with flat screens that contribute less junk to landfills and encouraging recycling in its facilities. The 100 percent organic cotton T-shirts were given away at HYPE Night on Aug. 26.
Edmonston also found support for the green initiative when he and others in IMRS spoke last year with student groups about the need for a new facility for the recreation and exercise activities IMRS sponsors.
“When we started talking with students, they said, ‘yes, we’ll support you but the new facility should be green,’” he said. “Kids today are well aware of the ecological measures we need to take to protect the Earth. They see us possibly running out of resources during their lifetime.
“It’s also what we’re teaching in facility management and design,” he continued. “It’s more than a building; it’s the land use, too, and how to incorporate energy-saving concepts.
“We are trying to be an example for the students. We’re following the trend Jennifer started years ago by practicing what we preach.”