No matter what the season, Northland College is covered in green.
Because 80% of most institution’s carbon footprints come from buildings, we have made it a priority to make our buildings as low-impact as possible. This dedication has produced the student-built Strawbale Demonstration Energy Lab, which operates off the grid and showcases alternative building techniques, and the McLean Environmental Living and Learning Center (MELLC). The MELLC, Northland's environmentally conscious residence hall, was built with a variety of recycled products and energy efficient materials, and was a prototype in the development of the U.S. Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. With a clear ranking system in place, Northland has now committed to attain at least LEED Silver certification on all new buildings and major renovations. The newly renovated Dexter Library, which is now one of four buildings in Wisconsin to achieve LEED Gold ranking. The Dexter Library is Northland's first certified building with the completion of installing a photovoltaic array.
The campus also features two wind towers, four hot-water arrays, a total of five photovoltaic arrays (including one installed by students at the president’s house), geothermal heating and cooling in the Ponzio Campus Center and Dexter Library, green cleaning products, furniture made from recycled materials, and super-insulated buildings. As the campus has expanded, we have even recycled old buildings; two houses on campus property were sold and relocated right in Ashland.
To learn more about energy practices at Northland, download a PDF version of our Sustainability Tips for Campus Living Brochure. You can also read about Northland's involvement with the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment and how this is helping to drive the development of new building policy.
Dark Sky Campus
Northland students and faculty are rethinking campus lighting in order to become a Dark Sky campus. This unique project will not only have far-reaching positive effects on campus, but set us apart as one of the few colleges in the United States to get on board with Dark Skies initiatives. You can learn more about the International Dark Sky Association by visiting their Web site, or contact Environmental Council to find out how to get involved on campus with the Dark Sky project.
Northland's Live Renewable Energy Data
Dexter Library
