We’d like to introduce you to our next two Sustainability Champions: Sherri Defesche and Willi Chavez! Every two weeks, we will be revealing two more champions, so please visit the page and keep your eyes out in Horizon for the newest pair. Help us give a big thanks to these eco-friendly folks! And let them inspire you to become more sustainable.
Sherri Defesche, Recruiting Event Coordinator: As an event planner in the Marketing Office, you work hard to reduce our carbon footprint by using electronic communications, purchasing reusable decorations and signage, using eco-friendly dinnerware, accurately estimating head counts to reduce food waste, and encouraging eco-friendly transportation to and from events (carpooling, offering a shuttle or bus passes). At home, you and your husband (former Senior Landscaper at St. Edward’s, 1995-2006) strive to maintain a sustainable life by carpooling to work, practicing organic lawn care, buying local food and products whenever possible, using homeopathic remedies instead of harmful pharmaceuticals, and using natural personal care products that are not tested on animals. You’re even coordinating a neighborhood community garden which will ask each home on your street to grow at least one fruit or vegetable year-round. On Saturday mornings, you’ll have your very own farmer’s market where neighbors share what they’ve grown and take what they need without exchanging money. Way to go, Sherri!
Willi Chavez, Grounds Supervisor: During drought-torn years here in Texas, you and your team work hard to make the most of the water we have to keep campus beautiful each and every day. Through a clever use of resources, sophisticated technology, and serious dedication, visitors wouldn’t even know that the state is experiencing stage-two drought conditions. On top of efficient water usage, the lawns are being kept greener longer with the exclusive use of organic biological fertilizers, which allow for grass to require 25% to 50% less water than chemical landscapes. It’s also a more eco-friendly method of pest control. Even the equipment used to maintain the lawns uses clean burning fuels like compressed natural gas and propane. Keep up the great work!