Have you already committed to making a difference by signing the USU Sustainability pledge? Inspire us all by your successes!

USU's Chemistry & Biochemistry Club was among just 40 student affiliate chapters honored as an "Outstanding Chapter" by the American Chemical Society this week at the organization's national meeting held in Salt Lake City. Read about the Aggies' efforts to make high school and college chem labs throughout the nation more green: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705292889/Greener-smarter-safer-labs-at-USU.html?pg=1

Are you a Car-Free Friday person? Have you switched to eating more locally? You can also talk about challenges--maybe you bought a scooter but then were faced with winter weather. . . feel free to add pictures or videos to your story. If you are ambitious and want to write something longer, feel free to use the "Add page" feature (on the left) and create a space of your own.

USU's A-TV has a recent broadcast all about Car Free Friday!

Below are some success stories about participating in this program. If you have a story, feel free to post it yourself, or email Caroline Shugart (the Employee Wellness Coordinator).

Submitted Oct. 28th by Melanie Jewkes: I have been riding my bike to work almost the whole year. There hasn't been a bike rack near our building during this whole time, and I would simple lock my bike up to the wheel-chair ramp. One day, a county worker who works in the same building as me, asked if I had noticed the big (HUGE) package that FedEx had delivered the day before. I said I had noticed it, and she said it was for me. At first I thought, "Well, why didn't anyone come tell me it was for our office?" and then she said, "It's your bike rack." Now everyone in the building refers to it as my bike rack--including the maintenance guy who is tearing out a bush and laying some cement to place "my bike rack" in a secure place. Melanie D. Jewkes Utah State University, Duchesne County THANKS SO MUCH MELANIE. Your story is sure to bring a smile to many a faces.

Blair talks about the benefits of being Car Free Every Day!

Here is one submitted by Sarah Ohms, Child Care Resource & Referral specialist: "I don't really have a story except to let you know that since June I have been riding my bike to work nearly every day! I was disgusted with gas prices and really needed to get some physical exercise. I was surprised to discover that biking only takes me about 5 minutes longer than driving, parking, and walking to my office. I'm happy to join Car-Free Fridays... and Car-Free Everyday (at least until it snows)!

Here is one submitted by Sean Damitz, Director, Utah Conservation Corps: "One of the things I love about my three mile bike commute to campus from Providence is getting to enjoy Cache Valley when a lot of folks are still sleeping. I had the pleasure yesterday morning of watching the large harvest moon set over the Wellsvilles as the pink rays of first light shone over the Bear River Range. I couldn't as for a more beautiful way to start the day.

This one was submitted to me by Scot M. Allgood, Marriage & Family Therapy Program Director: "I live in Hyrum and teach a 7:30 class on MWF and riding a bike on the highway (even with lights) is more adventure than I want in life. I ride the express bus in and then walk to my class in Old Main from the bus terminal. While not a bike-to-work story per se, I think this is the type of activity you are promoting. An added benefit is that I have 40-45 minutes to read some fun things. This week I've read Walter Payton's biography. The next book is a lightweight backpacking book by Ryan Jordan.

PLEASE KEEP THOSE GREAT STORIES COMING! caroline.shugart@usu.edu, Employee Wellness Coordinator