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Memorandum April 20, 2023

Dear AU Community,

Each year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day—the idea for which was planted at Airlie and came to fruition in 1970. This year, we are commemorating the five-year anniversary of American University reaching the pivotal milestone of carbon neutrality—a goal that we reached two years ahead of schedule. Since this 2018 achievement, we have continued our efforts to reduce emissions and improve efficiency across campus and broadened our focus on sustainability to include environmental justice, wellness, and scholarship. We are grateful to each one of you for contributing to the university’s sustainability progress. We remain committed to creating a more sustainable campus and encourage our entire AU community to participate in this changemaking work.

We hope to see you at the following events, which recognize the five-year anniversary and provide opportunities for us to engage on this special occasion.

All week

Follow and on Instagram for special messages and information about how AU is working on sustainability initiatives across campus.Ìý

Friday, April 21Ìý

Kogod’s Gamechangers in Sustainability: Founders’ Forum Ìý
1–2 p.m.
In-person and livestreamed, RSVP

Monday, April 24

Sustainability toursÌý
11 a.m. and 3 p.m.Ìý
MeetÌýin front of the School of International Service

Unable to make it to a sustainability tour? Check out the virtual or self-guided tour options online

Tuesday, April 25

Sustainability—What’s Ahead?: A BYOL lunch and learn featuring a faculty and staff panel discussion on climate change solutions
Noon–1 p.m.Ìý
AmphitheaterÌý
Followed by sustainability tour at 1:15 p.m., which meetsÌýin front of SIS

Wednesday, April 26

AU farmers marketÌýand sustainability fair, featuring staff and students who will share sustainability accomplishments from the past year
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
QuadÌý

Sustainability tourÌý
2 p.m.
MeetÌýin front of SIS

Thursday, April 27Ìý

Environmental Colloquium Series featuring interdisciplinary panel of AU scholars focusing on environmental justice
2:30–3:45 p.m.
Hall of Science 113
Hosted by the Center for Environment Community and Equity, RSVP

We look forward to celebrating together!Sincerely,

Megan Litke
Director of Sustainability