It’s not surprising that Associate Professor of Geology Jeff Clark’s favorite color is green, if not literally, at least figuratively. As chair of environmental studies, Clark has been at the forefront of promoting more Earth-friendly approaches to the way Lawrence conducts its business. A member of the faculty since 1998, Clark launched one of the campus’ most visible initiatives, the quarter-acre sustainable garden at the bottom of Union Hill. SLUG — Sustainable Lawrence University Garden — grew out of Clark’s 2004 environmental studies seminar on sustainable agriculture. What began as a feasibility study quickly morphed into an actual working model, and just six months after the Winter Term seminar began, the first produce was harvested. This past spring, Clark brokered a deal to sell all of the garden’s bounty to dining services.
In May, Clark was appointed faculty associate to the president to lead Green Roots, an initiative designed to provide guidance for institutional policies and procedures to “green” the Lawrence campus and cultivate eco-friendly habits of mind. The program was introduced this fall with full implementation slated for 2009-10. “We want to make sure that environmental considerations have a seat at the table in the decision-making process at all levels of the university,” said Clark, who walks the talk by recycling “gray water” at home and maintaining a compost pile in his backyard.
A $151,000 grant from Hewlett-Packard also has enabled Clark and several colleagues to pursue an initiative involving the use of emerging digital technology in field courses. The grant provided 63 tablet PCs, each equipped with Geographic Information Systems as well as cutting-edge software that provides instant, real-time feedback between student and professor. Working to position Lawrence as a leader in this field, Clark made presentations at the Technology for Teaching World Wide Conference in February and the National Sciences Foundation-funded conference on “Teaching Geomorphology in the 21st Century” this summer. He is finalizing plans on a regional workshop to be held next summer at Björklunden on field-based activities using digital technology.
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