13th March 2024
South Devon College recently celebrated ‘Go Green Week’, an annual event highlighting our sustainability goals and inspiring our community to consider their environmental impact by making positive changes, both large and small.
Students and staff alike have thrown themselves into embracing sustainability and raising awareness around green living by organising and attending a host of engaging activities based on environmental concerns.
There was a rubbish theme during a successful Litter Pick around the College grounds – bags of trash were collected and disposed of correctly, resulting in a clean and tidy environment for everyone to enjoy.
Results of a successful litter pick!
Food was on the menu as the College catering outlets supported ‘Meat Free Monday’ by offering some delicious vegetarian and vegan meals, including cauliflower, sweet potato and spinach balti and mixed bean chilli. There were also food bank collections running all week, which will be offered to students in need.
Our green ethos will certainly be blooming in the future as students from Level 3 Animal Management took steps to beautify the Animal Unit whilst encouraging insect visitors by planting wildflower seeds, complete with added natural barriers to protect the area from our inquisitive chickens! We look forward to seeing them blossom!
Students from Level 3 Animal Management planting wildflower seeds
The Street was a hive of activity all week, including a visit by Tonic Creatives who showcased how the local community can have a say on Torbay’s future through Torbay Council’s ‘Greener Way for our Bay’ campaign. It also promoted the UNESCO Global Geopark that is right here on our doorstep for everyone to enjoy.
Tonic Creatives showcasing Torbay Council’s ‘Greener Way for our Bay’ campaign
Wild Planet Trust was also welcomed into the College to raise awareness of the ‘Save Our Seagrass’ project, dedicated to monitoring and protecting the fragile yet essential seagrass beds in the Torbay area. Seagrasses are some of the world’s oldest flowering plants and have been around for almost 100 million years. The seagrass meadows are important carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. They also protect communities by binding sediments with its dense root systems, stabilising the seabed and preventing coastal erosion.
Wild Planet Trust raising awareness of the ‘Save Our Seagrass’ project
Fast fashion was also a hot topic as the Level 3 Business students launched their second-hand clothing pop-up shop, with all profits going to support fellow students in need.
Student Mason Babbage said: “We created a survey for students and staff to assess interest in the project – we received positive feedback proving it is a viable proposition.”
Level 3 Business students Mason Babbage and Elleanor Dove launch the second-hand clothing project
“The second-hand clothing for sale will be offered to students and staff at very good prices, and vouchers to purchase clothes will be available, via the Wellbeing Team, for any learners in need,” Mason continued.
“The project will support sustainability, provide clothing for students on low income and make money for the Student Hardship Fund.”
Level 2 and 3 Business students also took part in a business challenge to promote sustainability and raise awareness of local charity The Seal Project, which works across the South West surveying and protecting seals around the coastline.
Students and staff stood up to be counted by making sustainable pledges on the Pledge Board, including promises to recycle more, and car sharing where possible.
Students adding sustainability goals to the Pledge Board
Emma Magee, the Environment Agency’s South Devon Catchment Coordinator, spoke to Level 4 and Level 6 Animal Science students about how the EA monitors, controls and assists in many environmental areas, from flooding prevention, water quality and farming to fisheries management and salt marshes.
She said: “The Environment Agency works with, and delivers projects with, a variety of organisations such as Devon Wildlife Trust, Westcountry Rivers Trust, harbour authorities, local councils and Devon County Council.
“We also work with colleges and universities which have access to research facilities, as well as land owners, large estates and anyone who has an interest in protecting and enhancing the biodiversity that they’re responsible for.”
Emma Magee from the Environment Agency
Students were also invited to watch a screening of David Attenborough’s ‘How to Save our Planet’ films in the hi-tech screening suite.
Matt Green, Head of Commercial Services and Sustainability at South Devon College, said: “We have seen our annual Go Green Week increase in engagement and popularity each year. This year in particular was very busy and informative with engagement from students, staff and external businesses.
“We continue to raise awareness across the college of our individual and collective responsibilities regarding all aspects of sustainability.”
Go Green Week is an important annual opportunity to showcase the work going on year round to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It is so encouraging to see so many of our students and staff engaging with it and collaborating with local businesses to ensure we are all working cohesively towards a greener more sustainable future! Thank you to everyone who contributed!