Fairfield University's green efforts and eco-conscious faculty member honored | Press Releases

Fairfield University's green efforts and eco-minded people continue to receive recognition.

Because of its dedication to sustainability, Fairfield University was the recipient of a Green Coast Award in the university category. Presented by Connecticut-based Conscious Decisions Magazine, the Green Coast Awards honor and recognize individuals, businesses, services, and organizations throughout the state that are socially and environmentally responsible.

David Downie, Ph.D., director of the Program on the Environment , said that sustainability is not only is a hallmark of Fairfield's mission but it guides the University's day-to-day operations. "The green movement continues to grow - through student activism, faculty research, the EPA-award winning power plant, our campus carbon footprint reduction project, and through the curriculum of the Program on the Environment, part of the College of Arts & Sciences."

David W. Frassinelli, associate vice president for Facilities Management who is chair of the Campus Sustainability Committee, added: "While reducing our daily contribution to carbon is an important goal of sustainability, the work of our educators represents the investment whose impact on awareness will result in perpetual reductions in the future."

Image: E Zavrasfield The purpose of Conscious Decisions is to educate the public in ways that will help them make informed and eco-friendly decisions in their everyday lives. For a complete list of the winners, visit http://www.greencoastawards.com .

The Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County named Eugenia T. Zavras, Ph.D., assistant professor of the Practice of Biology, the "Outstanding Female Senior Volunteer" of 2011 for educating kids about the environment. Dr. Zavras was singled out for the 25 years that she has volunteered at the Newfield Elementary School in Stamford, where she has taught an environmentally based program called "Riverwalk/River Study." The program helps 4th grade students learn about all aspects of fresh water and river ecosystems, with particular focus on how humans impact the environment.

Dr. Zavras has made the classes very field intensive, with many visits to aquatic sites. "I do it because I believe it is important for children to get out, learn about the natural world, touch a frog, smell a flower. And I have fun doing it," she said.

For more information, visit http://www.fairfield.edu/green/ .

Image: The Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County named Eugenia T. Zavras, Ph.D., assistant professor of the Practice of Biology, the "Outstanding Female Senior Volunteer" for educating kids about the environment. Here she is with Stamford 4th graders, teaching the "Riverwalk/River Study" program.