Sustainability

The Marvel universe isn't the only place where insects and other invertebrates have superpowers. Mason faculty, staff, and students are studying and explaining the many roles these creatures play on our planet, learning more about a bug's life—and the big world surrounding them—every step of the way. This edition of Around Mason offers a recap of some of those stories.

George Mason University received the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (MWCOG) Commuter Connections 2023 Employer Recognition Award for the Incentives category. Josh Cantor, Mason’s director of Parking and Transportation, accepted the award at a ceremony held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

In 2019, the World Wildlife Fund and Knorr identified 50 foods, known as Future 50 Foods, that have a lower environmental impact, as well as being nutritious. In the 2022-23 school year, Mason Dining turned existing salad bars at Southside and Ike’s dining halls into Future 50 Food Stations. Students were able to build their own dishes, or select a featured dish created by the chefs using the Future 50 Foods.

Mason’s 2023 Green Game was held on January 25, 2023, when the women’s basketball team competed against the University of Rhode Island at EagleBank Arena with 868 fans in attendance.

As a movement and concept, ecological art, or eco art, stretches back decades. And EcoArt has been a part of George Mason University’s School of Art since 2010, thanks to Mark Cooley, associate professor and director of new media.

Green isn’t just a school color at George Mason University. At Mason, “green” is way of life, and sustainability is central to the university’s mission.

On Wednesday, April 12, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger visited George Mason University’s Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge, which is now part of the congresswoman’s district.

University Sustainability and the Greenhouse and Garden’s Program are contributing to Mason's efforts to eradicate food insecurity by providing access to campus-grown fruits and vegetables.

Mason graduate student’s cherry blossom monitoring research uses Mason as a living lab to assess how climate change affects the bloom date of cherry blossom trees on the Fairfax Campus.

Dee Arrington is the site coordinator at George Mason University's Potomac Science Center.