Bryn Mawr College

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Table of Contents

Tours

1. Sustainability Tour

   Bryn Mawr is committed to environmental sustainability, which we approach with the innovative thinking for which Bryn Mawr is known.

   Stops

   1. Park Science

      Park Science was designed to Leed Silver Standards. The entry plaza is constructed with a paving system designed to capture rainwater and infiltrate it to the aquifer. An energy audit performed several years ago provided recommendations that will be fully implemented as we complete the final phases of the Park Science Renovation Project. For example, we recently replaced a chiller that uses new technology and upgraded controls to reduce energy use during the cooling season.

   2. Schwartz Gymnasium

      Schwartz Gym was uniquely designed to minimize surface area, maximize internal volume, prevent heat loss, and direct storm water. It uses an efficient heating system whereby the pool is used to heat the building. In addition, a UV pool cleaning system reduces chlorine usage.

   3. Batten House

      Batten House is an intentional community of Bryn Mawr students. Its members endeavor to live with environmental consciousness and minimize their impact on the Earth, to facilitate discussion on social justice issues, to make group decisions by consensus, and to raise awareness in the Bryn Mawr community about environmentalism, social inequity, locally sourced food, veganism, and sustainable living.

      As a house, Batten residents work to achieve these goals through weekly meetings, communal meals, buying local and organic food and a Community Supported Agriculture share, reducing waste and product consumption, choosing environmentally responsible household products, sharing in the cleaning of the house, and hosting and partnering in campus-wide events and faculty speaking engagements. Batten residents commit to cooking vegan communal meals as a strategy for reducing their impact on the earth but strive to consider all aspects of food justice including the rights of farm workers and local sustainable economies.

   4. Cambrian Row

      Bryn Mawr has a solar panel array and small wind turbine that were installed in 2012 for educational purposes. 100% of the electricity the College purchases is from wind power.

   5. Applebee Field

      Implemented in 1993, Applebee field catches water run-off so it does not cause flooding and erosion.
      
      Storm water basins are used around campus to catch and store excess rainfall during heavy downpours. The basins slowly release the water to reduce the risk of flooding.  These are located under playing fields, on Merion Green, near Erdman and Bettws-y-Coed, in Radnor parking lot, and behind New Dorm, Ward, Gateway, Rhoads and Goodhart.  

   6. Vicker's Lake

      Vicker’s Lake is designed to capture storm water from downtown Bryn Mawr (a 92-acre watershed). The water enters a forebay where the sediment is collected before entering the larger pond. It is also designed with a perimeter “bench” that provides ideal conditions to grow wetland plants to help consume pollutants from the water. The discharge is valved to release the water 2 feet from the bottom of the pond where the water is cooler.  There is also a drop in elevation that helps aerate the water.
      
      The College lowers the level of the lake ahead of major storms to increase its holding capacity. This improves the water quality before any storm water is discharged into Mill Creek, improving the habitat for fish and aquatic life, as well as reducing flooding conditions for neighbors downstream.

   7. Green Roof on Carpenter Library

      Two of Bryn Mawr’s buildings have grass roofs where students often lounge on sunny days.
      
      One is Carpenter Library, whose collections support programs in History of Art, Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology, Greek, Latin, Classical Studies, and Growth and Structure of Cities. Carpenter also holds the Digital Media and Collaboration Lab, five classrooms, and a Computer lab.
      
      The other is Guild Hall, which holds the undergraduate deans' office, the registrar’s office, student activities, international programs, student access services, and residential life.

   8. Community Garden

      Open to all campus community members, Bryn Mawr’s Community Garden grows a variety of fruits and vegetables such as lettuce, onions, spinach, corn, pumpkin, bok choy, squash, watermelon, turnips, celery, tomatoes, blueberries, and herbs. Produce is often used by the College’s kitchens and, during the summer, the extra produce is brought to community outreach programs. Composted lawn materials from throughout campus fertilize the garden.
      
      The Community Garden Club, founded in 2010, is open to all students and organizes events such as planting, harvest, and work days, as well as food preparation and crafting socials.

   9. Dining Halls

      Bryn Mawr Dining Services works with Organic Diversions in Marlton, NJ to compost all food waste produced at the dining locations. All of our dining halls and cafés recycle. 
      
      Takeout containers from the dining hall are reusable OZZI O2GO boxes made of BPA-free #5 plastics, which are recyclable at the end of their lives.
      
      Read all about our dining hall sustainability efforts here. 

   10. Wildflowers at the Mary E. Daubenspeck Memorial Spring House

       Bryn Mawr has several wildflower conservation areas on campus. Here, herbicide application and mowing are prohibited, providing a space to preserve a biodiverse community.
       
       This garden is located between Wyndham and Gateway.

   11. Student Life and Wellness building (The Well)

       The Student Life & Wellness Building is built to LEED Silver Standards. The building includes energy-efficient features such as efficient heating, LED lights, and envelope commissioning. Additionally, the building features a state-of-the-art storm water management system, including a rain garden, to reduce the impact of runoff on the surrounding environment. Water and gas metering systems are also in place to track and monitor usage, helping to conserve resources and reduce waste.

   12. Wildflowers behind Arnecliffe

       Bryn Mawr has several wildflower conservation areas on campus. Here, herbicide application and mowing are prohibited, providing a space to preserve a biodiverse community.
       
       This garden is located behind Arnecliffe. 

   13. Tree Planting

       During Earth Week 2021, Bryn Mawr held a Community Tree Planting Day to celebrate our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2035. This event, where the community planted 100 trees behind Arnecliffe, was a first step in off-setting our carbon footprint and reforesting a portion of campus.

   14. Green Roof on Guild

       Two of Bryn Mawr’s buildings have grass roofs where students often lounge on sunny days.
       
       One is Guild Hall, which holds the undergraduate deans' office, the registrar’s office, student activities, international programs, student access services, and residential life.
       
       The other is Carpenter Library, whose collections support programs in History of Art, Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology, Greek, Latin, Classical Studies, and Growth and Structure of Cities. Carpenter also holds the Digital Media and Collaboration Lab, five classrooms, and a Computer lab.