Knox College is moving up in the rankings of the nation's "Cool Schools," according to a new report from the Sierra Club. Knox's rank improved to 114 this year, up from 140 last year, thanks to growth in the campus commitment to renewable energy, reduced food waste, and expanded co-curricular programs that focus on sustainability.

The rankings are published on the Sierra Club website and highlighted in the September issue of the organization's magazine.

"Knox College has increased our renewable energy commitment, joined the food recovery network that channels leftover food to local crisis centers, and added strong educational components in the form of the campus as a living learning laboratory," said Ramona "Froggi" VanRiper, Coordinator of Sustainability Initiatives.

For example, Knox now is Green-E certified, which ensures that 100% of campus electrical power comes from renewable sources within the United States, primarily created by use of waste products.

"Knox students have significant opportunities to maintain, play a role in, and influence the College's sustainability practices and infrastructure," VanRiper said.

"More students are managing and participating in the work on the Knox Farm, and more students are engaged in recycling a wider variety of materials, while the bike-share program has expanded and the interns in the campus bike shop now receive high quality training.

"These are the kind of 'everyday' activities that make a difference in students' lives, in the community and in the Cool School rankings."

• Above, a student prepares an educational display on recycling; collecting recyclables and reusable items from campus residences; the campus Bike Shop; top of page, a students working in a campus "high tunnel," growing food for the campus.
• Photo coverage of the Knox Farm, student-led campus recycling, and other sustainability initiatives at Knox