Northern Michigan University will host a campus Sustainability Summit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18. The event will kick off in Forest Roberts Theatre with keynote speakers Chef Bryan Flower and Courtney Gallaher from Northern Illinois University discussing their Edible Campus. Other activities are scheduled throughout the day in Jamrich Hall and the Hedgcock Atrium.
Despite the abundance of farms in Illinois, most of the food consumed in the state is not locally produced. NIU seeks to address this disconnect by transforming parts of campus into an edible landscape. Flower and Gallaher will discuss this ambitious partnership among NIU units and outside partners, which includes student and community volunteer events and activities, and showcases local businesses.
Poster presentations will be on display in the Jamrich Hall lobby throughout the day. A panel discussion on student-led sustainability efforts is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in the Hedgcock Atrium, followed by a free networking lunch with various conversation topics at the tables.
Climate change Jeopardy hosted by Steve Waller will be offered at 1 p.m. in Jamrich 1318. Virginie Noireaux, a visiting scholar from the University of Clermont Auvergne in France, will give a presentation titled “Sustainable Food Service in Schools” at 2 p.m., also in Jamrich 1318. The day will end with an opportunity to mingle with poster presenters over popcorn and refreshments from 3-4 p.m. in the lobby.
Individuals can tackle real-world sustainability challenges and get prizes, pizza and credentials at an Adobe Design Jam on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Northern Center Ballroom IV. Registration starts at 3 p.m. and the jam begins at 4.
The Sustainability Summit is hosted by the NMU Sustainability Advisory Council. It is part of Peak25, a conference elevating breakthroughs in research, entrepreneurship and collaboration. Peak25 is free and open to the public, and will take place Feb. 20-21 at NMU. Innovate Marquette's SmartZone and SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU are co-hosting. Learn more about the conference keynote speakers and programming here.