Franklin & Marshall College

Sustainable Building Policy

It is the policy of Franklin & Marshall College to finance, plan, design, construct, manage, renovate, and maintain its buildings in a sustainable fashion. This applies to new construction and major renovations. The latest edition of the US Green Building Council's LEED rating system and accompanying Reference Guide shall be used as a design and measurement tool to determine what constitutes sustainable building by national standards. All new facilities over 5000 square feet and major capital renovations costing more than 50% of building replacement shall meet the value of a LEED Silver rating at a minimum. Other buildings will be governed by sustainable practices.

Caroline Steinman Nunan Arboretum and Landscape Master Plan

A comprehensive approach to the campus lands includes formal recognition of our campus as an arboretum, and landscaping to reduce energy consumption and retention ponds for storm water management.

Carolyn and Robert Wohlsen '50 Center for the Sustainable Environment

The Wohlsen Center houses and consolidates the College's sustainability and environmental efforts. It includes the Director's office, the Artist in Residence's office, a seminar room and a public education/meeting space. It is also home to the student-run Fair Trade Café and Environmental Action Alliance club and other programs.

The Millport Conservancy lies about 10 miles from campus, and provides opportunities for classes, research and volunteer projects, and recreational activities. This stunning 100-acre wildlife refuge in Warwick Township includes a nature trail, a 19th-century Millport Roller Mill, auxiliary buildings and surrounding farmland. The Mill has showcased local and regional artists and hosts programs designed to draw attention to local wildlife and habitat preservation.

This property served as a brick-making facility, a municipal landfill and a reclaimed urban wildland. Now, faculty and students conduct research on recovering brownfields and wetland evolution at this site.

The county boasts the most fertile, non-irrigated farmland in the East. It has been cultivated since the 1700s. Farmland preservation and environmental stewardship are important aspects of the county's culture, and F&M faculty and students take full advantage of this in multiple types of research.