Sustainability in the Spirit of St. Francis

On Tuesday, April 18, the Viterbo community celebrated the 2nd Annual Spirit of St. Francis Sustainability Day. Highlights of the event included planting a Burgundy Belle Maple tree on the north side of Murphy Center (sponsored by the Student Sustainability Club), the distribution of the Spirit of St. Francis Sustainability Awards to Michael Alfieri and Joshua Housel and a Farmer’s Market near Franciscan Way.

The Sustainability Club had their own table selling cacti and succulents at the market. Karen Hurtgen, advisor for the student club says, “The Student Sustainability Club is also planning to sponsor two more tree plantings near San Damiano Chapel and a Dumpster Diversion Week where they will place empty boxes in the lobby of each dorm or on each floor to collect any unwanted clothing, foodand miscellaneous items students do not want after move-out.”

All items will be donated to the Salvation Army, and the Salvation Army truck will be parked on Franciscan Way on Friday, May 12, from 10-2 pm, to collect larger unwanted items.

Hurtgen also shared, “Viterbo University joined the MPower Program, which is a sustainability focused group of businesses in the Coulee Region.” As the end of the semester approaches, the Viterbo community is also reminded that Viterbo recycles plastics rated 1- 7, glass bottles, aluminum, tin cans, paper and cardboard.