CU Green Labs is excited to invite you to participate in the Eco Leader Advancement Program, a 100% voluntary program designed for researchers at CU Boulder. This program is intended for those individuals that want to take further action to learn more about sustainability in laboratories and be able to add the designation of “Certified Eco-Leader” to their resume
We have designed this program as a way for Eco Leaders to further develop their resumes, learn more about sustainability, and receive further training on laboratory sustainability efforts that can be done in their own lab. The overall goal is for laboratories at CU Boulder to become more sustainable through the leadership of the Eco Leader in their laboratory, and for the Eco Leader's knowledge & skill to grow too.
Summary of the Program
The Eco Leader Advancement Program is an online based, voluntary, self-paced course that lab members can complete to develop their knowledge of sustainability in the laboratory setting and to integrate better practices into their laboratory operations. Assignments incorporate both at-home and in-person learning, allowing students to learn at their own pace. The course consists of three levels that overview the sustainable labs movement, introduce students to initiatives at the CU campus, and provide them with tools to assess opportunities for improvement in their own labs.
Participants in the course will be recognized at the Annual Campus Sustainability Summit, a certificate will be awarded for each level completed.
Since many of us are working remotely during the COVID era, or only in the lab for reduced hours, Green labs has adapted the entire first level of this program to be completed virtually.
What you can expect to learn in each level of the course:
Level 1: Eco Leader in Training
Level 1 introduces the sustainable lab movement, overviews initiatives at CU Boulder and beyond, and guides students through several action items to complete with their lab group. Students develop a basic understanding of why sustainability in laboratory settings is important as well as the concept of environmental justice.
Level 2: Intermediate Eco Leader
Level 2 is more application-based and delves into the current sustainability of the Eco Leader’s lab. After a comprehensive assessment of the lab’s current practices, the Eco Leader and their team choose to make three changes to improve the sustainability of the lab.
Level 3: Certified Eco Leader
Level 3 broadens the scope to focus on systemic change in the scientific and research communities. Eco Leaders learn about normalizing sustainability language in research grants and supply chains, and about sharing equipment and spaces between lab groups at the same institutions. This level gives Eco Leaders the chance to contribute and lead in their communities and beyond.
Signatories of the Green Labs Pledge