Partner: Sustainable Campus 

Project: FSU Sustainability Highlight Tour & Resource Guide 

Student: Fiari LeGrand 

Fiari LeGrand, a passionate third-year undergraduate pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering, worked as a Sustainability Fellow during the summer of 2023. Fiari collaborated with Sustainable Campus to create a comprehensive resource guide, shedding light on the lesser-known sustainability efforts that shape the Florida State University community. 

FSU has a multitude of operational sustainability initiatives that remain largely hidden from the public eye. With a vision to bridge this knowledge gap, Fiari partnered with Sustainable Campus to address a crucial need—an easily accessible resource that highlights the sustainable practices and opportunities on campus. The goal was to equip high-contact individuals, especially those interacting with incoming and new students, with a quick reference guide to FSU's sustainability initiatives. 

“Without having easy access to this information, many are left unaware of the ways in which the university is actively working to combat these issues.” Fiari explained.   

Fiari's aspiration goes beyond the confines of her environmental engineering studies. Driven by her passion for environmental justice, she envisions a career in innovation, focusing on marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental racism. Her outlook on sustainability can be encapsulated in a single sentence: "To prepare for the future, while meeting the needs of the present and avoiding the mistakes of the past." Her ambitions extend not only to engineering innovation but also to the realm of politics, as she believes in influencing change through policy. 

Fiari began by diving into extensive research—a process that involved visiting multiple websites, conducting interviews, and utilizing technology tools to capture valuable insights. Over 30 hours of meticulous effort were invested in curating a comprehensive resource guide that would serve as a beacon of sustainability awareness across FSU. This guide aimed to showcase the university's operational sustainability triumphs and the myriad opportunities for academic engagement. 

FSU's sustainability endeavors encompass remarkable achievements, including substantial energy optimization and reduction, the daily recycling of 2,000 lbs. of cardboard, the complete electrification of FSU buses, a reduction in CO2 consumption, and proactive efforts to combat food waste while addressing food insecurity. 

As the final deliverable undergoes its last rounds of approval before heading to the graphic designer, the scope of the project already hints at future expansion. Fiari envisions incorporating a comprehensive list of registered student organizations related to sustainability and maintaining an updated online version of the resource guide. 

The project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By creating a resource guide that highlights campus sustainability efforts and encourages engagement, Fiari contributes to building resilient infrastructure and promoting partnerships that foster sustainability awareness. 

To watch Fiari's final presentation, click here.

To learn more about the Sustainability Fellows program, visit sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/sustainability-fellows.