Gold Rating, sustainability

STARS Gold Rating

Wartburg College has been recognized as a sustainability leader in the 2016 Sustainable Campus Index, receiving high rankings in the area of water for the second time in as many years.

The 2016 Sustainable Campus Index highlights top-performing colleges and universities in 17 areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).

Recognition in the water category is based on advancements in water use and rainwater management. Wartburg tied for fifth nationally in this category, which honors efforts to conserve water and protect water quality.

“Wartburg is proud to be a leader in water conservation. We want to do our part to ensure clean water for our future generations,” said Anne Duncan, Wartburg’s environmental sustainability coordinator. “We also are advancing these efforts by choosing plants for our campus that will be drought-tolerant when needed.”

The college uses minimal irrigation and only waters flowering beds during times of low rainfall. The installation of water conservation devices has led to a 30 percent reduction in consumption in recent years. Rainwater management efforts, including rooftop retention, landscaping to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water and water runoff management during rain events, also were applauded.

“Wartburg College’s strong performance in the area of water demonstrates significant leadership and commitment to advancing sustainability,” said Meghan Fay Zahniser, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. “We are pleased to recognize Wartburg for working to secure a thriving, equitable and ecologically healthy world by incorporating sustainability into campus.”

Wartburg previously received a Gold rating in 2015 from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. It’s STARS report is available here.