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Click here to see the USG Sustainability Handbook.
Sustainability and the environment have featured prominently in Forbes College programming for over a decade. The "garden project" began with conversations over dinner between Forbes resident Ruthie Schwab '09 and Director of Studies, Patrick Caddeau, in the fall of 2006. These conversations led to the first planting of herbs and leafy greens on a small patch of land between the Springdale Golf Course and the Forbes Annex in April of 2007. Everyone involved in the project soon realized how beneficial it was to spend time outdoors, digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, growing things and developing a deeper appreciation for what we eat and where it comes from. The Princeton Garden Project continues to grow with multiple sites around campus, the largest being the Forbes garden. Forbes was also a host-site and supporter of the vertical farm project. Forbes College has promoted sustainability on Princeton’s campus through many collaborative projects (with thanks to the constant support of the Office of Sustainability). Some early examples, so successful as pilot projects in Forbes that they were ultimately adopted campus-wide, include: UBikes, a bicyle recycling and sharing program (2007); "tray-free" dining, originally piloted in the Forbes servery (2008) to significantly reduce food waste; and the introduction of meat-free (2010) and flexitarian (2013) dinners to promote healthy eating habits that also reduce the carbon footprint of campus meals.
The Forbes "green fund" provides a supplement of up to 20% in funding to promote events hosted in Forbes that focus on environmental education and/or make use of recycled products, minimally processed foods, and meat-free dining. (For more information come by the Forbes College Office!) Forbes College also sponsors The Pink House, a collaborative living and learning project dedicated to sustainability and food, conveniently located between the Forbes Garden and the Main Inn.
Decisions related to sustainability and the environment will play increasingly important roles in our health and the future of our planet. As part of its mission to foster a residential college community dedicated to academic and personal growth as well as the University's informal motto "Princeton in the nation's service and in the service of humanity" Forbes College welcomes everyone's participation in programming related to sustainability and your suggestions for how we can continue to improve our efforts in this important area. Refer to the Forbes events page and the Office of Sustainability for upcoming programs and events. For more information or to share your suggestions, please visit the Forbes College Office!